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13 December 2021 Photo Supplied
Besides being the top medical student at UFS in 2021, Dr Mario Vieira is passionate about food, music and sport, and plays the piano and guitar for leisure.

Dr Mario Vieira, one of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) newest graduates in the MBChB programme, says he is fortunate and blessed to graduate from the Faculty of Health Sciences as the top achiever in the class of 2021. Dr Vieira will graduate at the year-end ceremonies. 

Says Dr Vieira: “Privileged is the first word that comes to mind. Yet, there are so many other emotions and feelings involved. One is relieved that the hard work is over for now, but in the same breath, quite sad that this chapter of one’s life has come to an end. Excitement also comes through, knowing that a new challenge lies ahead.” 

Dr Vieira says being the top achiever is undeniably an unbelievable achievement, but there were many other factors and people who made it possible. His family, especially his parents, were his greatest motivation. Their unconditional love and support have made his success possible. 

Multiple factors led to medicine 

According to Dr Vieira, who wanted to be a pilot when he was growing up, there were multiple factors that led to him eventually study medicine. He says: “My first experience with medicine was at a young age when I lost a good friend of mine to cancer. I believe the seed that was planted began to grow when my brother started studying medicine. 
“In high school I made the decision once I realised I was passionate about people and would love to make a difference in the life of others. I think it was the idea that if one could pass this degree, one would be equipped and capable to change lives on a daily basis. My friends in medicine and the support system in Bloemfontein were also incredibly valuable. When times were tough, we would carry each other through,” says Dr Vieira on graduating in one of the university’s toughest fields.

He is starting his internship on 1 January 2022 at Addington Hospital in Durban. 

Besides medicine, this Bothaville, Free State native is also passionate about food, music and sport. He loves cooking and hopes to retire one day with a small restaurant by the sea – cooking food and putting smiles on people’s faces. He also loves playing piano and the guitar.

His message to other students who might be considering studying medicine is: “Be courageous. You are capable of more than you think. Believe in yourself. Hard work, determination and time management can get you where you want to be.” 

Your courage 

Prof Lynette van der Merwe, who took up her new position as Academic Head in the Division Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences on 1 December 2021, congratulated the new cohort of UFS doctors and reminded them of the three Cs in the MBChB programme in 2021 – courage, conviction and compassion.

 “I saw your courage, the way you squared your shoulders and looked personal, academic and financial problems in the eye, and endured. You were brave and strong when it mattered most. and stayed true to yourself despite overwhelming odds. You made good choices although they were hard, you found a way to put one foot in front of the other when you were too tired to even think.”

“In the words of the poet Amanda Gorman, “There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it. May you always carry your light into a dark world.” 

News Archive

UFS study finds initiation does not build character
2015-06-24

Photo: Canva.com

Initiation at schools and school hostels does not build character or loyalty. On the contrary, it is a violation of human dignity and the rights of children.

This is the opinion of researchers from the University of the Free State’s Faculty of Education after an exploratory study of initiation practices in schools.

Although the use of initiation in schools and school hostels is forbidden by the Regulations to Prohibit Initiation Practices in Schools, the study found that this practice is still widely evident in schools. The study also found that, in some cases, teachers and/or principals take part.

In the study, led by Dr Kevin Teise from the Faculty of Education, it was found that physical deeds and even violence and emotional degradation were inflicted under the guise of ‘initiation’.

The study was discussed recently during a panel discussion between the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law, and the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice.

The ‘initiation activities’ that take place during school hours ranged from carrying senior learners’ bags or doing other favours for them, handing over their food or food money, doing senior learners’ homework, and looking down when they speak to senior learners.

In school hostels, it was found that learners were expected to do humiliating things, and were also subjected to physical demands and even violence. Learners pointed out that they were smeared and beaten, their heads pushed into toilets, they had to bath or shower in cold water, they had to eat strange things, and they were prevented from sleeping.

Dr Teise says initiation practices are a general phenomenon in the schools and school hostels that took part in the investigation. Newcomers were subjected to silly and innocent practices, but also to physically and emotionally degrading, and even dangerous ones, before and after school, and during breaks and sports- and cultural gatherings.

“The study’s findings give every indication that the constitutional principles on which the policy document, Regulations to Prohibit Initiation Practices in Schools, is modelled, are not being put into practice and respected at these schools. Policy documents and school rules are pointless if learners, old pupils, parents, teachers, and the broad community consider initiation an acceptable behaviour that is, ostensibly, an inseparable part of school or hostel tradition and of the maturation and/or team-building processes.”

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