UKZN’s Division of Internal Medicine hosted its inaugural Final Grand Round, showcasing the discipline’s strongest academic work and clinical events that were highlights of the year.
Held in the K-RITH auditorium at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, the occasion featured complex and compelling clinical case presentations delivered by registrars and medical officers who have spent the year deeply engaged in patient care and academic growth.
The programme was coordinated by Professor Ayesha Motala and Dr Astley Frank, whose leadership ensured a well-structured and engaging academic flow. The selection of cases reflected the breadth of Internal Medicine and highlighted the rare diagnoses, clinical challenges and bedside lessons that defined the year.
Hosting the event was the head of the Clinical Unit at Victoria Mxenge Hospital in Durban, Dr Pariva Manickchund, whose poise, clarity and warm moderation guided the programme with grace, giving the session a cohesive tone.
An address by the Head of Internal Medicine, Professor Nombulelo Magula, provided a meaningful reflection on her 10-year leadership journey. Magula described the first phase from 2015 to 2020 as a period shaped by registrar constraints and structural challenges with the second phase from 2020 to 2025 unfolding during the COVID pandemic, which reshaped training, service delivery and the way clinicians learn and teach. Her reflections brought a sense of continuity and collective resilience to the day.
Guest of Honour was College of Health Sciences’ Dean of Research Professor Bongani Nkambule, whose contribution highlighted the value of curiosity, rigorous inquiry and the future direction of academic medicine with his presence adding an encouraging and forward-looking dimension to the session.
A highlight was the presentation of the inaugural Registrar Excellence Award to Dr Thanduxolo Mnyeni, who recently completed the Fellowship of the College of Physicians as well as his Master of Medicine degree. The award recognised his remarkable commitment and consistent performance throughout his registrar training.
The prizegiving segment honoured the strongest academic presentations. In the Registrars Section, Dr S’nothile Malinga was first runner-up while Dr Juvika Bramdhew received the award for the Best Registrar’s Presentation.
The award for Best Medical Officer Presentation was won by Dr Sli Mahaye of the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital, an achievement met with warm applause and genuine pride.
The day also included the formal celebration of clinicians who completed specialist and sub-specialist training in 2025. The new Fellows of the College of Physicians were: Dr Nontobeko Maphanga, Dr Emanuel Boesak, Dr Shalona Thirbany and Dr Darshan Deenadayalu.
The recipients of the Master of Medicine degree in Internal Medicine were: Dr Wandile Langazane,
Dr Namuhla Qwabe, Dr Dane Perumal and Dr Yasheen Maharaj.
The discipline also acknowledged sub-specialist achievements: Dr Sarusha Pillay completed a Certificate in Pulmonology, while Dr Shaun Ray Temmers and Dr Gillian Gaskin completed their Certificate in Gastroenterology.
The inaugural Final Grand Round proved to be more than an academic showcase as it reflected a discipline mindful of its history, grounded in its present responsibilities and confident about its future.
It honoured the individuals dedicated to the Discipline of Internal Medicine and celebrated the collective spirit that continues to move it forward.
Words and photo: Dr Sandile Kubheka
