Amogelang Moagi received her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy. She had to overcome a traumatic assault, hip surgery and her mother’s death. She dedicates the degree to her mother.

On 11 December, 21-year-old David Obagbuwa will graduate with an MBChB from Stellenbosch University, making him one of the youngest medical doctors to qualify in South Africa. Obagbuwa began his medical studies at the tender age of 15.

Dr Luthando Tiya obtained his doctorate in pharmacology. He investigated farm workers’ exposure to pesticides. Herbicides or their breakdown products in blood of some people in farming-intensive areas.

Communications leader completed a PhD that interrogated how journalism shapes mental health narratives in South Africa. De Vries turned personal loss and lived experience into a study grounded in care, empathy and responsibility. Her...