Siblings Dr Mohamed Hoosen Suleman and Dr Naeema Suleman have graduated together with high honours from UKZN’s Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.
Naeema earned her Medical degree summa cum laude and Mohamed achieved his degree cum laude, bringing immense pride to their family, their community and the Medical fraternity at large.
Their achievement is a testament to years of unwavering dedication, intellectual prowess and an unrelenting passion for the Medical field.
Mohamed, who has been the recipient of several prestigious academic and leadership awards, including the 2023 South African Health Excellence Rising Star Award and the 2024 Top 5 National Medical Students Award, reflected on their academic journey:
‘Graduating with these honours is not just a personal accomplishment – it is a culmination of years of hard work, late nights and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. It’s about pushing the boundaries of excellence, not just for ourselves, but for those we hope to serve as future doctors.’
Naeema was equally elated: ‘Being part of a Medical programme is challenging, but having Mohamed by my side made all the difference. We have been each other’s pillars of support, motivating one another to strive for excellence. Medicine is not just about treating illnesses, it is about understanding humanity, and that is what has driven us to work so hard.’
Naeema, who has won a variety of accolades, was the recipient of UKZN’s Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship which is awarded to the top five students within each College at the University since their first year of studies.
‘I consider myself truly privileged and blessed to have the unwavering support of my husband, Yaseen. His steadfast presence, particularly during challenging periods such as examinations, has been invaluable. I deeply admire his positive outlook on life, and I am profoundly grateful for the role he has played in my academic journey. I hold him in the deepest affection,’ Naeema said.
Mohamed’s list of awards is extensive and includes the World Health Organisation (WHO) Prestigious Changemaker Scholarship which he received in Geneva, Switzerland, in his fourth year at Medical School.
Thereafter, he received multiple invites to speak at high level conferences in countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, Oman, Austria and Vietnam, on various disciplines in Medicine.
He also received the Mail&Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans award while the Inside Education Foundation awarded him the 100 South African Shining Stars honour.
In 2023, he received the prestigious South African Health Excellence Rising Star Award, an accolade celebrating outstanding young professionals making a significant impact in healthcare.
The Suleman’s success, however, is not just measured in academic achievements. Both have consistently demonstrated a commitment to community service, volunteering at health outreach programmes and mentoring junior Medical students. Their work exemplifies a belief in medicine as not merely a career, but a calling to serve others.
Currently, Mohamed and Naeema are doing their internship at Victoria Mxenge Hospital in Durban, where they rotate in the Paediatrics department. They say their experience thus far has been both challenging and rewarding, reinforcing their passion for healthcare and patient advocacy.
‘It’s one thing to study Medicine in the lecture halls but another to apply that knowledge in a hospital setting,’ Mohamed shared. ‘Internship is where you truly learn the art of Medicine – how to think on your feet, how to communicate with patients, and how to provide care with compassion.’
For Naeema, paediatrics has been an eye-opening experience. ‘Children are incredibly resilient, and working with them has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of our internship so far. It teaches you patience, empathy and the true meaning of healing.’
Behind every great success story is a family that nurtures and supports. For parents, Mr Solly Suleman and Mrs Ayesha Suleman, the pride they feel for their children is enormous.
‘From the time they were little, we knew they were destined for greatness,’ said Mr Suleman. ‘They were always inquisitive, always striving to be the best versions of themselves. To see them both graduate with such high honours was overwhelming.’
Said Mrs Suleman: ‘As parents, you always hope that your children find their path and excel in it. But to have them both achieve at this level – it’s beyond what we could have ever imagined. It’s a moment of immense pride, not just for us but for our entire community.’
The College of Health Sciences commends their dedication and success, emphasising that both Mohamed and Naeema exemplify the Institution’s fundamental values of Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Client-Orientation, Honesty, and Trust.
Their journey is a true reflection of UKZN’s commitment to producing world-class Medical professionals. Their dedication to academic and clinical excellence, as well as their passion for serving the community, aligns with the ethos of the Institution.
The School of Clinical Medicine celebrates their success and looks forward to witnessing the impact they will make in the Medical field.
As they step into the next chapter of their Medical careers, Mohamed and Naeema remain steadfast in their commitment to making a meaningful impact in healthcare. While they are still navigating their internship journey, both aspire to specialise in fields that will allow them to drive change and improve patient outcomes.
Mohamed, with his strong inclination towards research and policy, hopes to contribute to health policy advancements particularly focusing on resource-constrained settings, while Naeema has a deep-seated passion for internal medicine and obstetrics.
As UKZN celebrates their achievements, one thing is certain – this is just the beginning for Mohamed and Naeema Suleman. Their best is yet to come.
Words: Lunga Memela
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
