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07 March 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo Reuben Maeko
Dr William Mhundwa
Prof Thabiso Mofokeng, Head of Department: Internal Medicine, and Dr Busiswa Bisiwe, Head of the Unit: Nephrology and Dr William Mhundwa’s (right) supervisor, congratulates him on his great achievement.
Dr William Mhundwa, Senior Registrar in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Free State (UFS), has become the first candidate from the institution to be awarded the prestigious Suzman Medal as the top student in the 2022 examinations of the Fellowship of the College of Physicians (FCP).  

Candidates from all medical schools in the country as well as other African countries wrote this examination in January and July 2022. Dr Mhundwa came out on top and was awarded the medal by the Senate of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), which oversees the examinations.  

“I congratulate Dr Mhundwa on his outstanding performance,” commented Prof Nicholas Pearce, Head of the School: Clinical Medicine at the UFS. According to him, this is a prestigious award, and given that it is the first time that a candidate from this university has been awarded this medal, it is extra special for us as a department, faculty, and institution. 

Dr Mhundwa was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, to subsistence farmers and is the eldest of four boys. He immigrated to South Africa nearly ten years ago and started studying medicine as a way to fulfil his parents’ dreams. He eventually found his calling in internal medicine, specifically nephrology (kidney disease), and would like to obtain further qualifications in this field at the university. 

 “My achievements are the result of dedication to teaching internal medicine consultants. I am indebted to the Free State Department of Health for the opportunity to train and work under them. I hope to see great academic achievements within this province,” says Dr Mhundwa. 

He will graduate in April 2023 with a Master of Medicine, cum laude. His thesis was about The Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Central South Africa. 

Dr Mhundwa believes “that kidney disease is a scourge in modern society.  Early diagnosis is necessary to prevent patients from requiring kidney transplants and dialysis and to improve the quality of life of my patients”.

Prof Thabiso Mofokeng, Head of Department: Internal Medicine, said, “This achievement represents the UFS’ high academic standards on national front. We hope this is the first of many.”

News Archive

Greyhound racing: Public input needed
2009-02-03

Members of the public have a second opportunity to make submissions regarding the possible legalisation of greyhound racing in South Africa.

A research team from the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS), in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), will hold a second round of public consultations in Gauteng, the Free State, North West, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in February and March this year.

During the first round of consultations last year the research team, under the supervision of Prof. Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer of the UFS, received written submissions from interested members of the public and various associations.

The purpose of this research project is to give an objective overview of the greyhound racing industry nationally as well as internationally. This includes aspects such as animal welfare, social, economical and political issues and the legal framework pertaining to greyhound racing.

The study focuses on the current situation in South Africa and internationally regarding the jurisdictions where the sport is currently active and the current legal framework.

It will also include a comparative study of the situation in countries such as the United States of America, Ireland, England, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Vietnam.

Greyhound racing was banned in South Africa years ago because gambling was regarded as immoral at that time. Now that gambling has been legalised and is regulated there are debates on the legislation of greyhound racing.

The animal welfare and protection groups are against the legalisation of greyhound racing, while other role players have been calling for the racing to be legalised and regulated.

The public consultations will take place as follows:

• 6 February 2009, 09:00-12:30, Protea Edward Hotel, Durban
• 13 February 2009, 09:00-12:30, Protea Sea Point Hotel, Cape Town
• 20 February 2009, 09:00-12:30, Protea Marine Hotel, Port Elizabeth
• 26 February 2009, 09:00-12:30, Garden Court Hotel, Bloemfontein
• 27 February 2009, 09:00-12:30, Protea Manor Hotel, Hatfield, Pretoria
• 6 March 2009, 09:00-12:30, Garden Court East London, Esplanade, East London
• 13 March 2009, 09:00-12:30, Willows Garden Hotel, Potchefstroom

For further information, members of the public who are interested in attending these consultations should contact Mpho Mosing of the dti at 012 394 1504/083 436 5534 or Prof. Snyman-Van Deventer at 051 401 2698 or e-mail it to snymane.rd@ufs.ac.za  
 

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