Chiropractic was wholeheartedly Sahra Andrews’s choice. From a young age, she was drawn to the idea of healing through hands-on and non-invasive care. Her childhood dream has come true as she will be honoured with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Chiropractic passed with Cum Laude at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday, 20 May 2025 at Olive Convention Centre in Durban.
Chiropractic captured her attention because it not only addresses pain but empowers the body to heal itself which is something she find deeply fascinating. She always wanted to be part of a profession that looks beyond symptoms in treating the person, and chiropractic gave her exactly that.
She shared that graduating Cum Laude is incredibly meaningful not only because it reflects academic achievement, but because it represents the long nights of studying. The countless hours in the clinic, the sacrifices, and the constant drive to uphold the highest standard of care and academic excellence.
“It validates my belief that with purpose, passion, perseverance, and that extraordinary things are possible. It is both humbling and empowering,’’ she explained.
To her family, this graduation is not just a moment but a testament to hard work and unwavering support. It is their pride and joy, a beautiful reminder that this achievement belongs to all of them as a family.
Andrews believes that without her family support, her academic journey would have not been a success as they have walked with her in every step of the way. They have been with her in all the sacrifices, the late nights, the exams, and the tears.
Hailing from the vibrant city of Cape Town, Andrews described her journey at DUT as transformative with profound growth and resilience. Over the past five years, her academic journey has shaped her into deep understating of patient-centred care, critical thinking,
Amongst the DUT ENVISION2030 values that has deeply resonated with her throughout her academic career are Excellence and Respect.
“As a future healthcare professional, excellence is non-negotiable, it is the foundation of safe, evidence-based, and ethical practice. Respect, meanwhile, is the cornerstone of therapeutic relationships,’’ she added.
In her academic journey there were some moments of difficulties like balancing the intense academic, clinical workload with personal responsibilities and part-time work. The financial strain and emotional fatigue, especially during the transition into clinic and thesis preparation. However, through perseverance she overcame all the hurdles and succeeded.
The 24-year-old is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Chiropractic, with research focusing on Dietary Habits and Supplement Usage in Self-Reported Arthritic Patients. Her long-term academic goal is to specialise in paediatrics or sports chiropractic.
“I believe that continued learning is essential in such a dynamic and evolving field, and I’m passionate about staying at the forefront of clinical excellence and evidence-informed care,’’ she said.
Soon she aspires to build a private practice that provides integrative, patient-centred care grounded in the principles of chiropractic and functional health. Also, she wants to remain involved in research and teaching, contributing to the growth of the profession and empowering the next generation of chiropractors.
She works as a Medic for the ladies’ sports team at Varsity College, where she provides on-field support and injury management. She is also a tutor at A-Level Biology online for South African students who have transitioned to the UK education system.
Sharing her advice to first years who embarked on the same career, Andrews said this journey is rigorous but incredibly rewarding. Therefore, they must be patient, stay curious, committed, and never be afraid to ask questions.
Pictured: Sahra Andrews who is amongst the top achievers in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Vukani Langa
