Public Health Department Staff Members
Administrative Staff Members
Ms Tabea Radise
Position: Academic Coordinator, Public Health Department
Qualification(s): Diploma in Public Relations
Tel:
Email: tabea.radise@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 4: D-11
Ms Tabea Radise is an Academic Coordinator in the Department of Public Health. Her main responsibility is to co-ordinate and administer student matters within the department. Amongst others, she is responsible to respond to stakeholders enquiries on applications and registration matters. She holds a Diploma in Public Relations.
Mr. Welcome Akani Baloyi
Position: Admin Officer, Public Health Department
Qualification(s): BA Honours: Indigenous Knowledge Systems (University of Venda: 2018)
Tel: 012 521 4614
Email: welcome.baloyi@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 4: D-11
Mr Welcome Akani Baloyi is an Admin Officer at the Department of Public Health. He focuses on the Administration of postgraduate teaching programs students’ records and files external examiners’ invitations for end of block assessments and final exams conferences/ symposia / seminars attendance by academic staff academic-related financial assistance for all lecturers and Attend to internal and external client services or queries and Plan, organize and manage time and workload effectively.
Academic Staff Members
Professor Mathildah Mokgatle
Position: HOD
Qualification(s): BRad (Diagn) MEDUNSA (1990); Brad Hons (Diagn) UP (1997); MPH MEDUNSA (2001); PhD UJ (2011)
Tel: +2712 521 4177
Email: mathildah.mokgatle@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 4: D-12
Mathildah Mokgatle is a full Professor and Head of Department of Public Health, with a focus in the areas of online postgraduate programmes, research and innovation. She holds a Doctoral degree in Educational Psychology and a Master of Public Health with an expertise in the areas of Biostatistics, Social and Behavioural Health Sciences and Health Systems Management. She possesses over 32 years professional experience in the care services, of which 23 years are positioned in the domain of academia. In addition to her duties as Professor of Public Health, which includes teaching the following courses: Research Methods, Health Programs evaluation, Population Health Measurement and Biostatistics, Professor Mokgatle currently holds the position of Departmental Head at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).
Professor Mokgatle has a strong foundation in particularly postgraduate studies, also assuming the role of Chairperson of the SMU Postgraduate Studies Committee. Her duties attached to this role include conducting independent studies, recruiting students into the postgraduate programme, and supervising and graduating postgraduate students. She is an established and diversified researcher, occupying positions such as Research Consultant, Research Associate and the supervision of Master’s and Doctoral students’ thesis work, with a particularly extensive research background in reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections across population groups. In addition to this, she brings over 20 years experience as a public health and independent researcher, co- and principal investigator and supervisor in various projects and programmes, and student and staff mentor. Since 2004, she has successfully graduated 59 Master of Public Health Students and 6 doctoral (PhD and DrPH) students.
Outside of her tertiary work, Professor Mokgatle’s clinical accomplishments include being a co-researcher in the NRF Researcher – SARChI Population Mental Health and Substance abuse, co-researcher in HIV Trial Network Social and Behavioural Workgroup, and co-Principal Investigator for KZN-NHI implementation. Furthermore, she is Deputy Project Leader of the VLIR/UOS – Laboratory and Public Health management of sexually transmitted infections, an NRF self-initiated grant holder for sexually transmitted diseases partner notification. More so, she also serves in international, national and provincial research committees and activities. She is also Co-Researcher of the HIV Trial Network – Social and Behavioral Science workgroup, Lead scientist in the National Department of STI sentinel surveillance data analysis, Lead scientist in the Gauteng DoH Covid-19 research, and Extraordinary Professor of the University of South Africa College of Graduate Studies. Professor Mokgatle is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee at the South African Center of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis.
In addition to the above, Professor Mokgatle is a reviewer in several local and international peer reviewed journals. She has also played a crucial role in the fight against Covid-19, having served on the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) for Covid-19, in the capacity of researcher, author and scientist, since March 2020. Furthermore, she has made a significant contribution through writing evidence-based advisories. Over 100 of these meetings, have resulted in the submission of 145 advisories to the South African government to date, many of which have informed relevant policies and practice, and are published on the National Department of Health website: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/category/mac-advisories/.
Professor Mokgatle has also attracted numerous funding, her achievements including acquiring a grant to conduct fieldwork at the University of Johannesburg, securing the university research fund to initiate independent research for early researchers, and successfully acquiring grants from the NRF as a department. Additionally, she secured an interuniversity collaboration funding in Microbiology, Virology, Anatomical Pathology and the MeCru research unit, which was funded by VLIR/UOS- Belgian collaborators. Between 2008 and 2019, she raised research and development funding for students “HIV/STIs” research work, and further funding on a collaborative level, on the development of HIV disclosure intervention, particularly among perinatally HIV infected children and adolescents.
Professor Kebogile Mokwena
Position: Professor
Qualification(s):
Tel: 012 521 4613/4618
Email: kebogile.mokwena@smu.ac.za
Building: Old Veterinary Building. No:3
Professor Kebogile Mokwena is head of the subdivision of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences within the Department of Public Health. Her primary training was in Physiotherapy, and she spent 14 years as an academic in the Physiotherapy Department. Since obtaining her Doctoral degree in Public Health Education from the University of South Carolina in 1998, she has been involved in Public Health curriculum development, teaching and student supervision of both Masters and doctoral students. Her main teaching areas include practical Public Health practice, health behaviour change and health promotion interventions.
She has managed several research grants, which includes being the first recipient of the South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) grant at SMU, with a focus in Substance Abuse and Population Mental Health. Her focus in substance abuse research is on nyaope, while her focus in mental health is mainly on depression and anxiety
Professor Paul Chelule
Position: Professor
Qualification(s): Higher Nat. Dip. Medical Technology (KMTC, Nairobi), Master of Medical Science (MMedSc)(University of Natal) and PhD (Biomedical Sciences)(University of Natal). He is Registered Medical Biological Scientist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Tel: 012 521 3330
Email: paul.chelule@smu.ac.za
Building: Old Veterinary Building. No:4
Prof Chelule has an extensive experience spanning over 20 years in practicing and lecturing in both medical laboratory technology and medical sciences including molecular and environmental toxicology, environmental and occupational health. He joined to date in the Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (Former University of Limpopo, Medunsa campus), in March 2010 as a senior lecturer in the sub-department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. He is currently an Associate Professor in the same department. Paul has supervised and graduated over 20 masters and PhD students.
His current research interests are in environmental/occupational health, public health nutrition and fermented foods. He has over 20 publications in peer-reviewed journals, presented in over 20 local and international conferences and two book chapters from these research areas.
Dr Busisiwe Ntuli
Position: Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Qualification(s): BA (Social Work), MSW (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), MPH (Medunsa), DrPH (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University)
Tel: 012 521 5033
Email: busisiwe.ntuli@smu.ac.za
Building:
Dr Busisiwe Ntuli is a senior lecturer of the Department of Public Health. She obtained a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in 2004 and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in 2017. Dr Ntuli has benefitted from training in programme evaluation through a collaboration between the Atlanta Center for Disease Control (CDC) and MEDUNSA that led to her participating as one of the evaluators on the implementation of the supervision component of CDC-Funded Home-Based Care programmes in South Africa. Dr Ntuli teaches Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation in Public Health and Principles of Health Education and Health Promotion. Other modules she has taught include Theoretical Foundation of Public Health Education and Health Promotion, Evaluation of Health Programmes and Research Methods in Public Health. Dr Ntuli is a supervisor of MPH students and is involved in co-supervision of PhD students. She has graduated 24 MPH students both as a supervisor and as co-supervisor. She has interest and expertise in the areas of qualitative research and programme evaluation. Her area of focus in research is in the pyscho social wellbeing of key populations with an emphasis on orphans and vulnerable children, and other social aspects of HIV. She has published 19 peer-reviewed articles in national and international journals. co-supervisor. She has published 19 peer-reviewed articles in national and international journals.
Dr Mygirl Pearl Lowane
Position: Lecturer in Public Health
Qualification(s): PHDPH
Tel: 012 521 4969
Email: mygirl.lowane@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 4: D3
Dr Mygirl Pearl Lowane a qualified teacher by profession holds a higher Diploma in Education (Giyani College of Education). Then join nursing fraternity at 2001 where she obtained the following: Diploma in Nursing Science: General, Psychiatric and Community & Midwifery (Limpopo College of Nursing: Sovenga Campus), Advanced Nursing Science Diploma: Clinical, Nursing, Assessment, Treatment and Care: known as PHC specialty (UNW: Potchefstroom Campus), Advance Diploma in Nursing Science: Health Science Education & Health Services Management (UNISA), Bachelor of Art in Nursing Science: Health Science Education and Health Services Management (UNISA), Master’s Degree in Public Health: Health Measurements measuring with advance Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Health Informatics (UNIVEN), Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Public Health (UNIVEN). Her PHD study was to develop a strategy that will reduce missed appointments by people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.
She is a lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at the Department of Public Health: Epidemiology and Biostatistics unit. She collaborates with colleagues in teaching Principle of Epidemiology and Introduction to Biostatistics for MPH students and Research Method for PGDPH students. She is also supervising research work for MPH students. Dr. Lowane’s research focus areas are HIV, STI, TB and Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Thembi Khoza
Position: Lecturer in Public Health
Qualification(s):B Occ ther (MEDUNSA), MPH (University of Limpopo), PhD Public Health (SMU)
Tel: 012 521 3094
Email: thembi.khoza@smu.ac.za
Building: Public Health building, Office number 009
Dr. Thembi Khoza holds a Bachelor of Occupational therapy degree, obtained in 2004 from Medical University of South Africa and a Master of Public Health degree from University of Limpopo in 2015 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University obtained in 2021. Dr Thembi Khoza was appointed as a lecturer at SMU Department of Public Health, through the New Generations of Academics Programme (nGAP) in 2016 when she enrolled in the Doctor of Public health Programme. She completed her term as an nGAP lecturer 2021. Her PhD study developed guidelines for supporting mental health needs of orphaned adolescents. Dr Khoza’s research interest is in mental health of vulnerable populations, particularly orphaned adolescents. She currently supervising students’ research and teaching in the Master of Public Health programme. She is mostly teaching in the sub-department of Health systems management and policy, facilitating the modules Introduction to Health systems management (MPBB 191) and Introduction to health policy (MPBF 191). She is also facilitating the module Introduction to research methods in public health (MPBA 600) and facilitated the module Theoretical foundations of public health education (MPBD 191)
Mr Mabina Mogale
Position:
Qualification(s): BSc (Medunsa), Bsc Honours (Biology) (Medunsa), Master in Public Health (University of Limpopo – Medunsa Campus)
Tel: 012 521 3969
Email: mabina.mogale@smu.ac.za
Building:
Mr Mogale has been in academia for the past 21 years and is currently a lecturer in the Department of Public Health. He is teaching Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Methods in the Department. He is also responsible for the online self-paced Biostatistics pilot course, offered to all postgraduate students in the University as part of REME Course through the Research Directorate. Mr Mogale is involved in the supervision of MPH and several MMed students and has supervised over 20 Masters and Postgraduate Diploma students. He is a member of the South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre (SAVIC), Tshwane District Research Committee, Blackboard Champions, and ICT Committee of Senate.
Mr. Mogale is very passionate about technology both in teaching, research and in everyday life. His research interests include i) Health technology, ii) Biostatistics training, iii) Vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases in adults and children, and iv) Maternal & child health issues, in general. He is currently busy with his PhD thesis titled “Behavioural intention of health care professionals to use real-time continuous glucose monitoring on patients with type2 diabetes mellitus in Tshwane”
Between 2001 and 2009, Mr. Mogale was a Senior Technical Officer in the Department of Biology. He was responsible for all Biology practicals and maintenance of the practical laboratory and learning materials. From 2009 he lectured Ecology, Environmental Health and Ichthyology until his transfer to the Department of Public Health in 2013.
Ms Mmampedi Mathibe
Position: Lecturer (Field Epidemiologist) in Public Health, Department of Public Health – Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit
Qualification(s): MPH (UP)
Tel: 012 521 3055
Email: mmampedi.huma@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building
Ms Mmampedi Mathibe is a Lecturer in the Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit. She teaches Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Population Health Measurements and Research Methods in Public Health. She is a member of the SMU Infectious Diseases Team, SMU Community Outreach Team and NDoH – NPEC. Alumni – University of Limpopo, Wits Technikon, University of Pretoria, MEDUNSA and Wits. She often collaborates with colleagues in teaching, supervising students and research both internally and externally. Furthermore, she collaborate with NICD, NHLS and Tshwane District Health. Her research interests are in STIs and Reproductive Health, Substance use and abuse and Infectious Diseases.
Mr Modikwe Rammopo
Position: Lecturer
Qualification(s): ND: Biomedical Technology, Clinical Pathology and Chemical Pathology (TUT, 1995), Tech Biomedical Technology (CPUT, 1997), MPH (SMU, 2006)
Tel: 012 521 3855
Email: modikwe.rammopo@smu.ac.za
Building:
Mr Rammopo is a Lecturer in the Department of Public Health and teaches Occupational and Environmental Health as well as Research Methods in Public Health. Mr Rammopo is also involved in the supervision of MPH students’ research projects. Research areas of interest are maternal and child health, occupational health as well as environmental health.
Mr Atholl Kleinhans
Position: Lecturer Public Health Department, Division: Health Systems Management and Policy
Qualification(s): BA, BA Honors (Sociology), MSc (Global health), MA (HIV/AIDS), Ph.D. candidate
Tel: 012 521 3983
Email: atholl.kleinhans@smu.ac.za
Building:
Mr Atholl Kleinhans is a Lecturer, Health Systems Management and Policy at the School of Health Care Science in the Department of Public Health, at the Sefako Makgatho Health Science University. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree with majors in Psychology and Industrial Psychology from the University of Johannesburg in 2001. In 2008 be obtained an Honours Bachelor’s degree (Cum Laude) in Sociology (Social behavioural aspects of HIV/AIDS) from the University of South Africa. In 2013 he obtained a Master degree in Science (Global health) from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. He also completed a higher certificate in Healthcare management at the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) in 2010. He is currently reading towards a Ph. D degree in Health Sciences, through the University of Stirling (Scotland) and SMU. He completed various short courses in Project Management, Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (NOSA), Train the trainer, assessment and moderation of training. Mr Kleinhans has a fervent interest in HIV/AIDS and has been involved in this domain since 2004 in various areas including, psycho-social support, designing HIV prevention programmes, advocacy for key populations and LGBTI communities. Mr Kleinhans’s study field is in health sciences with a Thesis titled “A qualitative analysis of the HIV and AIDS policy in Serbia, Novi Sad” focusing on commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men. In 2015 he was awarded the HSRC / UCLA fellowship in stigma reduction where he conducted a stigma reduction intervention among students at the University of Johannesburg. Since 2016 he joined Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University where he teach Health systems strengthening in the Department of Public Health. Mr. Kleinhans is currently an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity based at Tekano.
Ms. Lindiwe Cele
Position: Lecturer Public Health Department,
Qualification(s): N.Dip. Medical Technology Microbiology (TNT), BSc Microbiology & Biochemistry (UDW), MPH (Epidemiology & Biostatistics (UP)
Tel: 012 521 4222
Email: lindiwe.cele@smu.ac.za
Building:
Miss Lindiwe Cele has a Master of Public Health degree (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) which was awarded her by the University of Pretoria (UP) in 2012. She studied through the then South African Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (SAFELTP) conducted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in partnership with the National department of health (NDoH), UP and CDC Atlanta. She is currently serving as a lecturer at the department of public health, in Epidemiology and Biostatistics unit of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). Her interests are infectious diseases such as TB and the hobbies include reading, watching soccer matches, travelling and site seeing.
Ms Feida Malebatja
Position: New Generations of Academics Programme (nGAP) Lecturer, Division: Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences unit
Qualification(s): Bsc (UL) 2009, Bsc Hons: Environmental Technology (UP) 2016, Post graduate diploma in Public Health (SMU) 2018 and Master of Public Health (UP) 2020
Tel: 012 521 4117
Email: mohora.malebatja@smu.ac.za
Building:
Ms Feida Malebatja is a New Generations of Academics Programme (nGAP) Lecturer at the School of Public Health in the division of Environmental and Occupational Health. Research Interest: water borne diseases, occupational diseases, emerging and re-emerging diseases, air pollution, food safety, water quality and environmental health and safety. Her research interests include water-borne diseases, occupational diseases, emerging and re-emerging diseases, epidemiology, food safety, water quality, air quality and toxicology. She collaborates with colleagues in both teaching and research.