LONG before professor Andile Khathi from The Bluff became one of the leading researchers in metabolic health, Khathi was a young boy spending his school holidays getting stuck in books at the library.

Decades later, that same curiosity and love for learning has earned him one of the highest accolades at UKZN.

At 38, Khathi, an Academic Leader for Human Physiology and Anatomy and a significant figure in prediabetes research, received the UKZN Distinguished Teachers’ Award for his notable contributions to teaching, research and mentorship.

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Next in line

Teaching was woven into Khathi’s life as he comes from a long line of teachers. “Whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field, or in church, my family loves studying and teaching. So, when I discovered human physiology, I had a feeling I had found a place where I could do that too and make a difference,” he said. 

His unique approach 

“Making the work seem as simple as possible” is the philosophy that guides Khathi’s teaching journey. He believed that by making it simple to understand they would be able to grasp concepts better. 

“The process should not be about teaching everything afresh. It should be about helping the student understand something they have seen before and using that knowledge to understand other things as well,” he said. 

What it means to be a teacher 

Being a teacher takes a specific type of person, one who can create the bonds with students and help them grow in and out of university.  According to Khathi, this stems from creating an engaging environment. 

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“We deal with passionate students from diverse backgrounds, so once students see that you are passionate about what you do and they feel that you understand their backgrounds, they become interested in what you have to say,” he said. 

A love for science 

His early fascination with science was sparked after spending a whole holiday at a library trying to remember what he had to do for a school assignment.

“I figured if I spent enough time in the library, I’d eventually come across something that would trigger the memory of what the assignment was about. I read about great scientists such as Alexander Fleming and Edward Jenner and became inspired by their powers of observation. I ended up writing about them and their discoveries, as I never remembered what our assignment was. My teacher could have failed me, but instead encouraged me to pursue the field, eventually leading to a distinguished career dedicated to research, teaching and mentorship,” he said.

Accolades upon accolades 

Khathi earned his honours in medical sciences, graduating cum laude in 2011. His master’s research was subsequently advanced to a PhD, and he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology in 2015. In the same year, he joined UKZN as a lecturer, eventually being promoted to senior lecturer in 2019 and associate professor in 2023.

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In 2018, he was recognised with the College of Health Sciences Best Emerging Teacher Award. Two years later, in 2022, he received the National Research Foundation’s Best Emerging Researcher in Natural Sciences award. The following year he was honoured with the South African Medical Research Council’s Research Excellence Award for early-career researchers and the UKZN Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research. His scholarly output includes over 145 academic papers and a book chapter. 

Work as a researcher 

Khathi dedicated his years in research to focus on prediabetes, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical healthcare solutions. “I envision a future where early prevention of metabolic disease is accessible, equitable and grounded in contextually relevant African research evidence,” he said.

An inspiration to all 

Offering guidance to young South Africans, Khathi shared the simple but powerful message that you are the author of your own story. “You may not have chosen how it started, but you can write yourself a good story with a great ending,” he said. 

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