As the sun beat down on Cape Town on a hot November morning, the plaza in front of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Sarah Baartman Hall filled with over 400 new health professionals excitedly snapping shots with their loved ones. Faces were gleaming and people chatted excitedly amongst each other, some in traditional attire, with many “wait, let me adjust my robe” exclamations punctuating the noise.

These final year ‘qualifiers’ had just completed their undergraduate studies in health sciences. They would shortly take the solemn Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Oath to serve their patients with care and compassion before they embark on their community service and internships at public health facilities across the country.

Conducted annually, the 2025 oath-taking ceremony was an historic moment in the annals of UCT: for the first time, qualifiers would take the Faculty Oath (a modern adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath) in English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans — the three official languages of the Western Cape.

Led by the Dean of the FHS, Professor Lionel Green-Thompson, the oath is read collectively by qualifiers and other health professionals present, be they staff members or guests.

But before the much-anticipated oath-taking, qualifiers were treated to a carefully crafted programme designed to enhance their experience of this milestone achievement — the programme included the blessing of the Sarah Baartman Hall by Khoisan traditional leader Chief Bradley; the arrival of the academic procession to the rhythmic beat of drums; and a musical item by the FHS orchestra. Prizes were awarded to students who had demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their programmes. The jubilant applause after each announcement by Dr Kerrin Begg, Deputy Dean for Undergraduate Education, was infectious and moving.

“Listen to them with compassion, walk with humility and act with justice.”

The audience was also deeply touched by the guest speaker, Dr Lefa Kekana-Hlatshwayo (UCT MBChB 2017 graduate), who chronicled her experiences of living with a disability as a student in her final year of study. She credited the FHS for supporting her to complete her academic programme, poignantly recalling her further challenges as a health worker with disabilities. Today she stands tall, attributing this to her self-belief and her empathic team and family.

Prior to leading the oath-taking, Professor Green-Thompson spoke of how languages are a source of people’s pride, urging qualifiers to value language as a clinical skill.

“It is not necessary to be fluent, but attempting to communicate with a patient in their language will dramatically elevate their sense of dignity. Listen to them with compassion, walk with humility and act with justice,” he said.

The Dean further acknowledged the contribution of the group of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences students responsible for successfully advocating for this inclusion of isiXhosa and Afrikaans in the Faculty Oath.

In the presence of a packed hall of emotional family and friends, students recited the oath solemnly and with pride.

“Welcome to the profession. Kaise gangans,” Professor Green-Thompson remarked in concluding the moment, amidst cheers and ululating.

The inaugural multilingual oath-taking marked a pivotal step towards embracing UCT’s adoption of the South African constitution’s endorsement of multilingualism and the importance of human interconnectedness.