Wits University Division of Radiation Oncology

26/07/2026

Mandela Day brought a wonderful surprise to the Wits Division of Radiation Oncology at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, when Dr Tshepiso Twala returned for a very special visit — and she certainly didn’t come empty-handed! 🎁

Dr Choma brought along an array of gifts and treats for the children undergoing radiation therapy in our department, adding a little joy and colour to their day. The goodies were very enthusiastically received and enjoyed by all. 😊

Dr Choma was a much-loved member of our Radiation Oncology team before leaving the Division in 2025 to pursue a career in private practice. It was wonderful to welcome her back and, even more importantly, to see that the department and the patients she cared for remain so close to her heart.

Mandela Day reminds us that service extends far beyond our formal roles — and that small acts of generosity and kindness can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Thank you, Tshepiso, for remembering our young patients and for continuing to be part of the Wits Radiation Oncology family. It was wonderful having you back! 💛

25/07/2026

This week, the Wits University Division of Radiation Oncology gathered to bid a fond farewell to Dr Maurice Mwale, who leaves us after two and a half years of dedicated service to take up a new position as a Radiation Oncologist in New Zealand.

Maurice’s association with our Division goes back many years. He trained as a Radiation Oncology registrar at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, before returning home to Zambia, where he worked as an oncologist for more than a decade. We were delighted to welcome him back to Wits and CMJAH in 2024, this time as a consultant Radiation Oncologist.

During his time with us, Maurice led our Breast Radiation Oncology Unit, managing a demanding clinical service with dedication, compassion and professionalism. He made an important contribution to the care of our patients and was a committed teacher and mentor to our registrars, generously sharing the experience and expertise he accumulated over his career.

Beyond his clinical and academic contribution, Maurice has been a wonderful colleague — warm, dependable, good-humoured and almost invariably accompanied by that trademark smile.

It is always bittersweet to say goodbye to a valued member of our team, but we are enormously proud to see Maurice embark on the next chapter of his career. New Zealand’s gain is very much our loss.

Thank you, Maurice, for everything you have contributed to our Division, our trainees and, most importantly, our patients. We wish you every success and happiness in New Zealand. You will always remain part of the Wits Radiation Oncology family.

Hamba kahle, Maurice — and all the very best for the adventure ahead! 🇿🇦🇿🇲🇳🇿

16/07/2026

The Wits University Division of Radiation Oncology represented South Africa at the Best of ASCO Africa 2026 Conference, held this past weekend in Abuja, Nigeria.

Our Head of Division, Prof. Duvern Ramiah, participated as a panellist in the conference's Radiotherapy Session, joining leading radiation oncologists and oncology experts from across Africa to discuss one of the meeting's central themes: how to translate the latest advances in cancer care into meaningful improvements for patients across the continent.

The panel explored practical solutions to improve access to modern radiotherapy, strengthen multidisciplinary cancer care, develop sustainable referral networks, embrace innovation, and build partnerships that will enable more African patients to benefit from world-class oncology services.

As one of the continent's premier oncology meetings, Best of ASCO Africa brings together clinicians, researchers, policymakers and patient advocates to contextualise the latest scientific advances presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting and identify practical pathways for implementation within African healthcare systems.

The Wits Division of Radiation Oncology is honoured to contribute to these important conversations as the only representative from South Africa. Through our work in clinical care, education, research and innovation, we remain committed to improving access to high-quality, evidence-based cancer treatment—not only for our patients in South Africa, but in partnership with colleagues across Africa.

Together, we can ensure that advances in oncology are translated into better outcomes for every patient, regardless of where they live.

15/07/2026

Today, the Wits Division of Radiation Oncology proudly celebrates Dr Gaya Raveendran on graduating with her MMed in Radiation Oncology from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Completing specialist training is the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, hard work and sacrifice. Throughout her training, Dr Raveendran has demonstrated a commitment to clinical excellence, compassionate patient care, and continuous learning. We are incredibly proud of this significant milestone in her professional journey.

As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, we are confident that she will continue to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of patients with cancer and to the advancement of radiation oncology in South Africa.

From all of us in the Wits Division of Radiation Oncology, we extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Raveendran and wish her every success for the future. We also acknowledge and congratulate her family, friends, mentors and colleagues who have supported her along the way.

Here's to a future of healing, innovation and excellence.

Congratulations, Dr Gaya Raveendran! 👏🎓💙💛

15/07/2026

The Wits Division of Radiation Oncology is proud to have been represented by our Head of Division, Prof. Duvern Ramiah, as a panellist at the Frank Dialogue on the Future of Oncology and the National Health Insurance (NHI).

The dialogue brought together the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, healthcare leaders, academics, clinicians, industry partners and patient advocates to discuss how South Africa can build a sustainable, equitable and high-quality oncology service under the evolving NHI framework.

Drawing on the Division's experience in transforming cancer care in the public sector, Prof. Ramiah contributed to discussions on improving access to timely, evidence-based treatment, strengthening multidisciplinary cancer services, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, and embracing innovation to improve patient outcomes.

At Wits Radiation Oncology, we believe that every South African deserves access to world-class cancer care, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. Meaningful progress will come through collaboration, innovation, strong partnerships and an unwavering focus on the patient.

We are honoured to contribute to these important national conversations and remain committed to advancing oncology care through clinical excellence, education, research and service to our communities.

15/07/2026

Today, the Wits University Division of Radiation Oncology was privileged to take part in our Mandela Day pledge by partnering with the outstanding teams at Far East Rand Regional Hospital to provide prostate brachytherapy to patients in need.

This was a particularly special milestone, as Far East Rand Regional Hospital became the first regional hospital in Gauteng to perform prostate brachytherapy—bringing a highly specialised, curative treatment closer to the communities it serves. Together, we treated four patients who would otherwise have faced a waiting period of several years.

Madiba reminded us that "what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others." Today was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when institutions work together with a shared commitment to improving access to quality cancer care.

A sincere thank you to the Urology, Anaesthetics, Theatre, Nursing and Hospital Management teams at Far East Rand Regional Hospital for their enthusiasm, professionalism and warm hospitality. We are also immensely proud of our Wits Radiation Oncology team for giving their time and expertise in the true spirit of service.

We look forward to building on this partnership so that more men with prostate cancer can access world-class treatment closer to home.

01/07/2026

The Wits University Division of Radiation Oncology is pleased to see our Head of Division, Prof. Duvern Ramiah, participating as a panellist at the upcoming Frank Dialogue on the Future of Oncology and National Health Insurance (NHI) on 14 July 2026.

This important national forum brings together leaders from government, academia, healthcare, and industry—including the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and the Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba—to discuss practical solutions for strengthening cancer care and improving equitable access to oncology services across South Africa.

As South Africa continues to shape the future of healthcare under the NHI, conversations such as these are essential to ensuring that every patient, regardless of where they live, has access to timely, evidence-based, high-quality cancer care.

At the Wits Division of Radiation Oncology, we remain committed to advancing innovation, expanding access to modern radiotherapy, training the next generation of oncology specialists, and contributing to national policy that improves outcomes for patients throughout South Africa and the African continent.

24/06/2026

Proud that we are part of the BEST university on the continent!! Well done Wits 🥂

Wits University has been ranked the best university in Africa after securing the top position on the continent in the 2026 Centre for World
University Rankings (CWUR).
https://tinyurl.com/yvkb34ua

15/06/2026

The Wits University Division of Radiation Oncology was delighted to see our Head of Division, Prof Duvern Ramiah, serve as Co-Chair of the ICON Oncology Conference 2026, one of South Africa’s leading oncology meetings. In addition to co-chairing the conference, Prof Ramiah chaired several scientific sessions and participated in discussions focused on innovation, collaboration, and the future of cancer care across Africa.

ICON 2026 brought together oncologists, surgeons, physicians, researchers, nurses, patient advocates, industry partners and healthcare leaders from across the country and beyond. The meeting provided an important platform to share knowledge, challenge conventional thinking, and strengthen partnerships that ultimately benefit the patients we serve.

A particular highlight was the beginning of what we believe will be a meaningful relationship between Nexeva Health Solutions, the new distributors of Elekta technology in South Africa, and our Division. As a fully Elekta-based academic radiation oncology service, we look forward to future collaboration aimed at advancing access to modern radiotherapy and supporting innovation, education and service development.

The conference also showcased the invaluable work of several organisations with whom our Division enjoys close and longstanding relationships. We were pleased to engage with colleagues from the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the Prostate Cancer Foundation South Africa and PinkDrive, whose commitment to awareness, education, advocacy and patient support continues to make a profound difference to cancer care in our country.

22/05/2026

The Division of Radiation Oncology at the University of the Witwatersrand is proud to share this exciting glimpse into the ongoing evolution of cancer care in South Africa. This video reflects the kind of progress that is possible when dedicated multidisciplinary teams, advanced technology, and patient-centred care come together with a shared vision of excellence. We are particularly encouraged to see continued investment in precision radiation oncology and modern treatment approaches that ultimately improve outcomes and the patient experience.