Occupational Therapy Department Staff Members

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Paediatric OT

Email Address: phindile.sebela@smu.ac.za

Senior Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Occupational therapy in paediatric and adolescent populations, with a particular focus on Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and neonatal intensive care. Additional areas of expertise include school-to-work transition and vocational participation of learners with Intellectual Disability, as well as the development and validation of conceptual frameworks within occupational therapy and rehabilitation practice.

Email Address: teresia.dzhugudzha@smu.ac.za

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6149-7012

Online Research Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Teresia-Dzhugudzha

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: My research and teaching interests centre on adult neurorehabilitation and innovative, collaborative approaches to health professional education. Across my clinical, research, and teaching work, I am driven by a common goal: preparing skilled, collaborative practitioners who can deliver high-quality, person-centred care to people living with neurological conditions. Clinically and academically, I have experience in adult neurological conditions, with a focus on optimising functional outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and neuromuscular disorders. My work draws on current evidence to inform client-centred, occupation-focused rehabilitation practice. I have a particular interest in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP), and am committed to preparing future health professionals to work collaboratively across disciplines. I also have expertise in the design and implementation of Simulated Patient (SP) methodology within Occupational Therapy education, using simulation-based learning to develop students’ clinical reasoning, communication, and professional competencies within a supported learning environment before clinical placement. Together, these interests reflect a cohesive commitment to simulation-enhanced, interprofessional education that equips students to become confident, collaborative clinicians in complex neurorehabilitation settings.

Email Address: refilwe.mohotlhoane@smu.ac.za

ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4521-5374

Online Research Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Refilwe-Mohotlhoane

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Geriatrics, HIV, Primary healthcare, Physical rehabilitation

Email Address: mashudu.nemakanga@smu.ac.za

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Mental Health and Psychiatry; Community based rehabilitation; Substance Use Rehabilitation

Email Address: lebogang.lefine@smu.ac.za

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4293-8756

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Physical rehabilitation, health professions education, and curriculum development. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) as a pedagogy that promotes critical thinking, clinical reasoning, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Decolonisation of occupational therapy research, curricula and practice, with particular interest in culturally responsive activity selection and curriculum transformation within the South African context. Qualitative Research design and methods

Email Address: Mahlako.makhubela@smu.ac.za

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1968-2027

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Teaching and learning in mental health, with a specialization in intellectual disability; Clinical supervision and mentorship of occupational therapy students; Higher education teaching with expertise in occupational therapy media of treatment (Activities and Occupations)

Email Address: dolly.phasumane@smu.ac.za

Senior Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Occupational Therapy in Mental health and Acute Psychiatry; Student Mental Health Support; Occupational Therapy Education

Email Address: annah.lesunyane@smu.ac.za

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2468-0683

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Occupational Therapy in Mental Health and Psychiatry; Vocational Rehabilitation; Ergonomics in the workplace; Disability and Rehabilitation Services with special interest in Disability Inclusion in Higher Education and Work.

Email Address: Mashudu.mphohoni@smu.ac.za

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6768-8411

Online Research Profile: African Journal of Disability 13(0), a1347. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1347; Google Scholar; ResearchGate

Lecturer

Field of Expertise: Geriatrics, HIV, Primary healthcare, Physical rehabilitation.

Email Address: mashudu.nemakanga@smu.ac.za

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6027-5477