VUT alumnus wins national award
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is celebrating Khomotso Comfort Ramabokela, a proud alumnus of VUT, for his outstanding contribution to healthcare and the recognition he recently received as 'Celebrate of the Year' across South Africa and the African continent.
At 29 years old, the professional nurse and shift leader in the Emergency Department of Randfontein Private Hospital exemplifies the values, leadership, and compassion VUT strives to instil in its graduates.
Drawn to healthcare by a deep desire to help others, Ramabokela reflects, 'I've always been interested in careers that allow me to make a tangible difference in people's lives.'
His natural curiosity and drive to keep learning made nursing a perfect match.
'The opportunity to learn about the human body, respond in moments of crisis, and support people through their toughest times, that's what motivates me.'
Ramabokela completed his Bachelor of Nursing Science at VUT in 2022, calling the experience life-changing.
'The education I received at VUT provided more than just knowledge. It gave me the foundation to navigate real-world challenges in the healthcare system,' he shares.
'My former VUT lecturers, Dikeledi Selepe, Dudu Motloba, Siya Rayise, Maria Mothebe, and Dr Rudo Ramalisa, were always available, supportive, and instrumental in shaping our understanding and skills.'
Today, that foundation supports him daily in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.
As a shift leader, Ramabokela doesn't just manage urgent medical cases; he leads a team, ensures quality care, and brings empathy, urgency, and calm to every situation.
He lives by these essential values in emergency care: empathy, calmness, urgency, leadership, and a hunger to keep learning.
'I want to continue developing in clinical and educational spaces,' he adds. 'But I also value maintaining a healthy work-life balance and spending time with the people I love.'
Being named 'Celebrate of the Year' felt deeply affirming. 'It made me feel seen,' he says.
'It motivated me to keep learning, improving, and giving my best. It showed me that what we do matters.'
Still, the journey isn't without its challenges.
Communication barriers, adapting to change, workload, and limited career development are all part of the reality.
But Ramabokela approaches each one with a problem-solving mindset.
'Good relationships with colleagues improve communication. Sharing the workload makes things manageable. Engaging in ongoing training opens doors,' he said.
Although he's not yet involved in mentorship or outreach, he's ready and willing. 'I'd love to give back and support future nurses and students, especially in the VUT community. That's where my journey started, and I'm proud of that,' he said.
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Daily Maverick
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The why behind the surge in Christian fundamentalist hate against transgender people
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De Beer de Beer-Procter explains: 'Our identities are scrutinised. Our access to care is debated. Our presence in schools, hospitals and public life is treated as controversial. In this context, so-called neutrality doesn't create balance – it reinforces stigma. And it sets back the hard-fought progress we've made in securing gender-affirming care, legal recognition and the basic right to exist without being treated as a problem to solve. What's more, the 'concern' being expressed is rarely based on accurate information. Gender-affirming care is routinely misrepresented as rushed, reckless or automatic – as though thousands of children are being hurried into life-altering decisions. 'But this is simply not true. In South Africa, access to gender-affirming care is already extremely limited. Public provision exists in only a handful of clinics, often with yearslong waiting lists. Only one public clinic in the entire country offers support to trans youth. 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The evidence is there The claim that there's a 'lack of evidence' is one of the most common, and most misleading, arguments used to question gender-affirming care. De Beer-Procter explains: 'We have longitudinal studies, clinical audits, qualitative research and systematic reviews that all point to the same thing: gender-affirming care improves mental health outcomes, reduces distress and increases wellbeing – especially when it's timely, respectful and affirming. 'But no amount of evidence will ever feel like 'enough' to people who aren't actually looking for evidence. For many of the most vocal critics, the real issue isn't about data; it's about belief – that everyone is either male or female, that this is fixed at birth, and that it reflects some 'biological truth'. 'But that belief doesn't hold up to scrutiny. It's not supported by science, and it's certainly not reflective of lived reality. 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