Waheed Amanjee promised to one day help families facing rare diseases, inspired by his mother’s health battles. Today, Waheed, 23, is an aspiring clinician-scientist-entrepreneur determined to transform healthcare in South Africa and beyond. As a fifth-year medical student and master’s researcher at UCT’s Neurogenomics Lab, his research explores the epigenetics of ALS, while his entrepreneurial ventures have already made a national impact. He co-founded WiZmed, a student-led medical supply enterprise serving 50 000 healthcare professionals. From launching Africa’s first in-house stethoscope personalisation service to producing affordable, locally made scrubs, his work offers medical students and clinicians essential tools. Waheed is also the co-founder and COO of the African Research Society, a continent-wide student movement strengthening research capacity. With 1 500 members, the society has raised over R600 000 for African-led research initiatives. Named a 2025 Mandela Rhodes Scholar, Waheed’s leadership extends to initiatives like the Reach Alliance and Cape Town Expo for Young Scientists.
My late grandfather, Suleman Bux, was a shopkeeper in rural Ixopo who believed that dignity was not determined by race or wallet size. He treated everyone — regardless of background — with the same compassion and respect, guided by a deep sense of justice and an unwavering belief in the power of education, even though he was never afforded that privilege himself. His legacy was defined by quiet acts of kindness. Most notably, he supported a young Raymond Zondo (who later became South Africa’s chief justice) by providing groceries to his family for three years while he studied. When Zondo later offered to repay him, my grandfather simply said, “Do for others what I did for you.”