Lungile Mafynn Buthelezi, 34, has a PhD in optometry and is a lecturer and clinician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), equipping future eye care professionals with both academic knowledge and practical skills. She teaches modules in visual science and ocular disease management, supervises postgraduate research and provides hands-on clinical training to ensure students are prepared to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care. Lungile’s research focuses on ocular disease and retinal alterations in people living with HIV, contributing to global discussions on how vision care intersects with broader public health problems. Her work has been presented internationally, including at the World Council of Optometry and the South African AIDS Conference. Beyond academia, Lungile founded Sight for Life, an initiative providing vision screening to primary school children, aimed at removing preventable barriers to learning. Now relaunching the project, she hopes to expand its reach to all underserved schools. Whether through her research, teaching or grassroots outreach, Lungile believes that science must translate into service.