For 18-year-old first-year medical student, Ms Itumeleng Mhlongo, attending two international events within 30 days marked an important milestone in her academic journey.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student attended the 13th Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF) in Germany in September and the American Field Service (AFS) Youth Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, in August.
Selected as one of 200 young researchers, mathematicians, and computer scientists from around the world, Mhlongo attended masterclasses at the Heidelberg Laureate Forum presented by recipients of the Fields Medal, Abel Prize and Turing Award.
At the Youth Assembly, Mhlongo participated as a healthcare delegate alongside young leaders from around the world. She also took part in the Changemakers Academy, a social innovation workshop delivered in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania to develop solutions to global challenges.
Mhlongo’s participation in both events was linked to her telemedicine research project, ‘Bridge the Gap’, which aims to connect underserved communities with volunteer doctors using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology. The proposed platform would allow users to access the service through a code without needing a smartphone or mobile data.
Growing up in Tshepisong township in Johannesburg, Mhlongo witnessed first-hand the difficulties residents faced in accessing healthcare. These experiences motivated her to develop solutions and led to the creation of ‘Bridge the Gap’.
“I knew there had to be a better way to service the community, hence why I started researching USSD technology, which works on any phone without requiring data. The project began as an idea and gradually evolved into a working concept, supported by volunteer doctors and the community.”
Mhlongo is now refining the initiative with the pilot phase expected to launch by early next year.
“I plan to scale Bridge the Gap across South African townships and eventually throughout the continent by integrating an AI-powered triage, multilingual voice support, and drone delivery of medical supplies. I also aim to train unemployed healthcare workers to use the Bridge the Gap system, creating employment opportunities while expanding access to healthcare.”
Mhlongo, who matriculated from Lufhereng Secondary School, a Quintile 2 school with limited resources, said she had never imagined representing South Africa at international events during her first year of medical studies at UKZN.
A daughter of two security guards who did not have the opportunity to attend university, Mhlongo said her achievements had been particularly meaningful to her parents.
“My parents are incredibly proud and emotional. It means everything to them to see their daughter, and firstborn child, not only attend university but also represent the country on global stages. It’s something they never would have conjured up in their wildest dreams. They stood guard at gates so that others could feel safe, and now they get to watch their daughter stand on international stages,” she said.
Financial support has played a key role in enabling Mhlongo to pursue both her academic ambitions and attend international events. As a recipient of the Moshal Scholarship, which supports high-achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds, she said she had been able to focus on her studies without the constant pressure of financial uncertainty.
Dr Normah Zondo, Executive Director of the Corporate Relations Division, congratulated Mhlongo on her outstanding achievements.
“Itumeleng’s innovative approach to using technology to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities is both inspiring and commendable. Her work aligns strongly with our goals and values of ensuring that research responds to real-world challenges. We are incredibly proud of her vision, determination, and commitment to using her skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We wish her every success as she continues to grow Bridge the Gap and turn her vision of more accessible healthcare into reality.”
Mhlongo thanked UKZN for its Dean’s Travel Grant, which covered her return flights to Geneva, Schengen visa application fees, travel insurance and ground transport in South Africa and Switzerland. She also thanked the Carl Zeiss Foundation, which covered her travel expenses to Germany through its Abbe Grant.
“Without the grants, it would have been impossible to attend the HLF and the AFS Youth Assembly. I’m incredibly thankful to the donors and particularly to UKZN for investing in students like me and for opening doors that once felt permanently closed.”
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photograph: Supplied