Al-Qalam 
By Al-Qalam Reporter
In an inspiring moment for KwaZulu-Natal’s medical community, siblings Dr Mohamed Hoosen Suleman and Dr Naeema Suleman have both graduated with distinction from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.
The siblings, celebrated for their academic brilliance and unwavering dedication, walked the graduation stage together, an achievement that has resonated with their family, mentors, and peers alike.
Dr Naeema Suleman was awarded her medical degree summa cum laude, the highest academic honour, while her brother, Dr Mohamed Hoosen Suleman, completed his degree cum laude, a notable academic distinction in its own right. “This moment is more than a personal milestone. Graduating with these honours is the 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,” said Mohamed.
Naeema shared similar sentiments about their shared journey through medical school. “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,” she said.
Their academic excellence has been matched by a trail of prestigious accolades. Naeema, who was among the top five students at UKZN since her first year, received the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, one of the university’s most selective academic awards.
She also credited her personal support system, particularly from her husband. “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,” she said.
Mohamed’s list of recognition spans local and international platforms. Among his many accolades, he received the World Health Organisation’s Prestigious Change Maker Scholarship in Geneva during his fourth year of study. He has since been invited to deliver talks at conferences in Denmark, Switzerland, Oman, Austria, and Vietnam, covering a range of medical disciplines.
Additionally, Mohamed was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans and received honours such as the Inside Education Foundation’s 100 South African Shining Stars and the 2023 South African Health Excellence Rising Star Award, which celebrates emerging leaders in the healthcare sector.
Despite their individual accomplishments, both Mohamed and Naeema remain deeply committed to serving their communities. Throughout their academic careers, they actively participated in health outreach initiatives and mentoring programmes, living out the principle that medicine is not simply a profession, but a mission of service.
Currently, the siblings are completing their internship at Victoria Mxenge Hospital in Durban, where they are gaining hands-on experience in the Paediatrics department. “It’s one thing to study medicine in the lecture halls but another to apply that knowledge in a hospital setting. 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,” he said.
Naeema spoke of how working with children has shaped her perspective. “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,” she said.
At the heart of their success is a strong family foundation. Their parents, Solly and Ayesha Suleman, shared their joy at witnessing both of their children achieve high honours. “From the time they were little, we knew they were destined for greatness. 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 Solly Suleman.
Ayesha Suleman added: “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.”
UKZN’s College of Health Sciences praised the siblings’ accomplishments, noting that they embody the institution’s core values of Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Client-Orientation, Honesty, and Trust.
The School of Clinical Medicine also commended their achievements, calling their success a reflection of UKZN’s commitment to developing world-class medical professionals.
As for the future, the Suleman siblings have big dreams. Mohamed, with a keen interest in research and public health, aspires to influence healthcare policy in under-resourced settings. Naeema is passionate about internal medicine and obstetrics, fields she believes allow for deep patient connections and meaningful impact.
Their journey, from medical school to hospital wards, is far from over, but already, it stands as a shining example of what can be achieved with resilience, purpose, and the right support. For Mohamed and Naeema Suleman, this is just the beginning.
