A boy from the small Eastern Cape town of Cala who once dreamed of becoming an engineer is now helping amputees regain mobility, and contributing to efforts to improve prosthetic care in South Africa.
Dr Luphiwo Mduzana graduated with a PhD in health sciences rehabilitation at Stellenbosch University this month and is described by the institution as the first black medical orthotist and prosthetist in South Africa to achieve this milestone.
Now based at Walter Sisulu University, Mduzana said his journey, which took nearly six years, was shaped by the support of family, colleagues and mentors.
“Coming from a rural background should never limit one’s aspirations. What matters most is not where you come from, but where you want to go and what you are determined to achieve,” he said.
“Many people have contributed to my journey… this milestone does not belong to me alone, it belongs to the many people who walked this journey with me.”
Mduzana’s research focuses on developing clinical guidelines for lower-limb prosthetic prescription, an area where South Africa currently relies largely on international frameworks.
“My research seeks to develop practitioner-informed guidelines that are grounded in the experiences and expertise of clinicians working within our context,” he said.
“By developing locally relevant guidelines, clinicians will be better equipped to determine whether a person with an amputation is an appropriate candidate for prosthetic rehabilitation and what type of prosthetic intervention would best suit their needs.”
He said the work aims to support more consistent, evidence-based decision-making in prosthetic care.
For Mduzana, the field is deeply personal. He said a defining moment during his studies was seeing patients regain independence through prosthetic support.
“A patient may arrive in a wheelchair, but after receiving a prosthetic device, they leave walking again,” he said.
“Witnessing someone regain their independence, whether returning to school, work, or sport, is incredibly fulfilling. That moment is priceless.”
He began his PhD in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted research globally, requiring adjustments to aspects of his methodology and slowing progress.
Balancing his studies with family life also presented challenges.
“As a father of four, there were certainly moments when the demands of research and family responsibilities felt overwhelming,” he said.
“The support from my family and friends made it possible for me to remain present as a father while continuing to pursue my academic goals.”
His supervisor, Professor Lieketseng Ned from Stellenbosch University’s Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, said the achievement marked an important milestone for the profession.
“Through his leadership and scholarship, he is poised to contribute meaningfully to the advancement, transformation, and academic strengthening of the profession in South Africa,” she said.
Mduzana said he hopes his research will contribute to strengthening prosthetic care locally and support collaboration across the Southern African Development Community.
“I would like to see the science of orthotics and prosthetics continue to develop in South Africa, with the emergence of specialised areas of expertise and stronger research contributions,” he said.
He also encouraged young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue their ambitions.
“Believe in yourself and in your dreams. Your background or circumstances should never define the limits of your potential,” he said.
“With dedication and perseverance, anyone can achieve what they set out to become.”
Staff Reporter
iol.co.za
