Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening its research profile by recognising emerging academics whose work shows the potential to make a sustained contribution to knowledge and healthcare. Among them is Prof Tshiamo Ramalepa, an Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing Science, who has recently obtained a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2 rating.
The Y2 rating recognises young researchers who have demonstrated the potential to establish themselves as researchers, based on the quality and productivity of their recent research outputs. The recognition places Prof Ramalepa among emerging researchers whose scholarly trajectory shows promise for continued research contribution.
Prof Ramalepa’s rating follows a growing body of research spanning adolescent sexual and reproductive health, role modelling, learner pregnancy, nursing education, youth-friendly healthcare services, HIV and AIDS, work-life balance among nurse educators, and healthcare-related psychosocial challenges. His research reflects a sustained focus on addressing challenges affecting healthcare systems, professionals, young people and communities.
His publication record has continued to expand across peer-reviewed research, scholarly books, and chapters. In 2025, he published a book titled ASPIRE strategies for strengthening adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health role modelling, while his recent research has examined adolescent primigravidae’s first antenatal care experiences, contraceptive awareness and decision-making, sexual and reproductive health role modelling, and work-life balance among nurse educators.
“Research must remain connected to the realities experienced by communities and healthcare professionals,” Prof Ramalepa said. “For me, academic work is about generating evidence that can contribute to better health outcomes while developing the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.”
His contribution to research development also extends to postgraduate supervision. At SMU, he has supervised students through doctoral and master’s qualifications, with completed research contributing to areas including nurse educators’ work-life balance, adolescent antenatal care, youth-friendly services and maternity care. He currently supervises four master’s and three doctoral students, supporting the development of the next generation of health sciences researchers.
Prof Ramalepa’s research trajectory is further reflected in his success in attracting competitive research funding. He is a co-investigator on the U’GOOD Climate Change and Mental Health project, supported by the NRF, Foundation Botnar and the Human Sciences Research Council. He has also served as principal investigator and co-researcher on reproductive health projects supported by the Centre for International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan.
His growing research profile complements his academic leadership responsibilities. Appointed Associate Professor in June 2026 and a member of the Senate Committee, he also serves as the Postgraduate Diploma Programmes Coordinator, overseeing programmes in Health Service Management, Occupational Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery and Nursing Education. He previously served as a lecturer and Senior Lecturer at SMU and a postdoctoral fellow at Tshwane University of Technology.
“SMU provides an environment where research, teaching and community engagement can intersect meaningfully,” he said. “My goal is to continue contributing to a culture of excellence while ensuring that research has relevance beyond the university.”
The NRF recognition adds to a series of achievements that have marked Prof Ramalepa’s academic journey. In 2026, Inside Education named him among the 100 South African Shining Stars. In 2025, he received an SMU Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Best Community Engagement Project in the School of Healthcare Sciences, while in 2024 he was recognised as an Inspirational Teacher in the School of Healthcare Sciences.
Through the achievements of emerging researchers such as Prof Ramalepa, SMU continues to advance its commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research. His NRF Y2 rating underscores the university’s role in nurturing research talent, generating knowledge that responds to healthcare challenges and developing scholars who can contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s health system.
By Tumelo Moila
