Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU;Afrikaans:Die Sefatho Makgatho Universiteit vir Gesondheidswetenskappe) is amedical university inGa-Rankuwa,Gauteng Province,South Africa.[1] Its current incarnation was formed on 1 January 2015. Previously, it was known asMedical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA; Afrikaans:Afrikaans:Die Mediese Universiteit van Suid Afrika) and later as MEDUNSA campus of theUniversity of Limpopo.[2] It is named after South AfricanANC leaderSefako Makgatho.[3]
The Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) was established in 1976 to provide medical education to black students, who were restricted from attending most medical schools in South Africa by theApartheid government,[4] with a few exceptions at segregated non-white-only medical schools.[5][6]
The seat of the university is located atGa-Rankuwa.[7] The name change from MEDUNSA to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) was one of the causes of the riots in August 2014.[8] From 2005 to 2015, the university was a campus of theUniversity of Limpopo, but it was separated following a review of the merger.[9] The launch on 14 April 2015 was attended by PresidentJacob Zuma and Minister of Higher EducationBlade Nzimande, with the president delivering the keynote address.
