Position:Admin Officer, Public Health Department
Qualification(s): Masters in African studies (UNIVEN), BA Honours: Indigenous Knowledge Systems (UNIVEN), Cert: Advance Programme in Project Management (UP), Cert: Operations Management Practice (WITS), Cert: Humanitarian and Leadership Development (UNISA), Cert: Project Management Principles, Practice and Scheduling (UP), and Advance Course: Thought Leadership for Africa’s Renewal (UNISA)
Tel: 012 521 4613
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.

Position: Professor
SARCHI chair for Substance Abuse and Population Mental Health
Qualification(s): 
Tel: 012 521 4613/4618
Email: kebogile.mokwena@smu.ac.za
Building: Old Veterinary Building. No:3
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0257-0520

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

Position: Associate Professor in Occupational and Environmental Health Unit
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
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3477-3242

Paul Chelule is an Associate Professor of public health with 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.  His master’s and PhD research centered around the occurrence of fungal toxins in the food environment and their impact in public health at the environmental and molecular level.   He has been a lecturer and senior lecturer and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (2004-2005) and has also worked as a Senior Medical Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on smart nano-drug delivery using nanotechnology (2006-2009). In his current position at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, he facilitates the principles of environmental health and research methods in public health modules.

As an established researcher, after joining the Department of Public Health, he has dedicated his time and expertise to understanding the environmental and occupational health issues affecting public health. For example, the role of fermented foods consumption in the wellbeing of children through the improvement of their nutritional needs and disease prevention. Safety of street vended foods, where the street is the occupational environment, has been one of his research niche areas. The other areas include environmental pollution and waste disposal, and climate change.   His research interests have also been on musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare workers. More recently, the focus of my research on fermented foods as functional foods will be expanded to further understand their probiotic health benefits.

Position: Associate Professor in Health Systems Management and Policy Health
Qualification(s): Diploma in Nursing Sciences & Midwifery; Secondary Teachers Diploma; BA, BA Honors (Psychology); MPH; DLitt et Phil (Health Studies)
Tel:
Email: sogo.matlala@smu.ac.za
Building:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2291-6779

Sogo Matlala has experience of working in government health facilities as professional nurse and also worked for some nongovernment organizations (NGOs) as project coordinator. He has more than 15 years working in a Department of Public Health as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor. Prof Matlala is teaching health systems management and policy modules, and supervises both masters and doctoral students. He published several articles in local and international peer-reviewed and accredited journals. Prof Matlala is an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE and is a reviewer for local and international journals. He is a member of Provincial Health Research Committee (PHRC) for Limpopo province and is elected as deputy chairperson for a second term. Prof Matlala research interest are Human resources for health, community health workers, school health services and indigenous health.

Position:  Head of Unit: Social & Behavioral Unit: Public Health Department
Qualification(s): BSc Physiotherapy (MEDUNSA); MPH (MEDUNSA)(2004); DrPH (UL)(2010).
Tel: 2712 521 4177
Email: linda.skaal@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 005: D-12
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5614-4017

Professor Linda Skaal is a full Professor and Head of Social & Behavioural Studies Unit within the Department of Public Health. Her focus is in the areas of teaching of postgraduate programmes, research and community engagement. She holds a Doctor of Public Health degree in Social & Behavioural Studies and a Master of Public Health specializing in Health Promotion; Addictive Behaviours; Obesity Management and Women’s Health. She possesses over 30 years professional experience in the health care services, of which 27 years are positioned in the domain of academia, in Institutions of Higher learning. Her duties include: Research; Student Research Supervision; Mentorship and teaching in the field of Social & Behavioural Studies. She teaches the following courses: Research Methods, Theoretical Foundations of Health Promotion and Advanced Social & Behavioural Modules.

Professor Skaal has previously assumed several research roles in academia, which include: Chair of Faculty of Health Sciences Research Committee; Chair of School of Health Care Sciences Research Committee (UL); Member of Senate Research Committee (UL); Member of TREC (UL), and other academic leadership positions. She is grounded in postgraduate studies, both Research; Student Research Supervision and Teaching & Learning.  Her research activities include: conducting independent studies, mentoring of upcoming researchers and supervising postgraduate students. Her niche area include: Women’s Health; Obesity Management; Addictive Behaviours. To-date; she has graduated 66 Masters and 6 PHDs and has published over 60 articles in peer-reviewed international & national journals and has published 5 academic book chapters. She has also attracted numerous funding and is the recipient of several research awards.

Position: Unit Head and Full Professor: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Public Health Department
Qualification(s): PhD in Medical Science (University of Antwerp, Belgium)
Email: muhammad.hoque@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 005: D-16
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5686-3070

Prof. Muhammad Hoque has obtained PhD in Medical Science from University of Antwerp, Belgium. He is a visionary, who is passionate about solving complex problems and building a vision for organisational and operational success by executing strategies that generate quantifiable results. Having worked as the Head of Research, Teaching and Learning, Prof. Hoque has proven skills in strategy development and implementation.  Having more than 20 years of experience in higher education institutions, he has taught undergraduate to postgraduate students and has championed research, teaching and learning as part of the strategic visions of academic institutions. Prof. Hoque has a hands-on approach to team leadership and is a strong communicator and relationship builder with multi-level organisations and industry stakeholders. He has a positive, focused, solutions-centred mindset with an ability to think innovatively and diligently by accurately applying statistical methodologies and work processes.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Prof. Hoque was recognised as a Y2^*-rated researcher (<40 years old) by the National Research Foundation of South Africa for the 2018-2022 period for the research conducted and published in the area of public health. In 2018, based on his research output, he was one of the top 10 young, published researchers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). He was also among the top 30 published researchers (13^th) and in the top 10 young, published researchers (1^st) at UKZN for the year 2017. Prof. Hoque received the College Research Award in 2014 and 2016 in recognition of outstanding research productivity during 2013 and 2015 whilst employed at UKZN’s College of Law and Management Studies. He received the Young Investigators Award from the 21^st Asia Pacific Cancer Conference held in Malaysia in 2011. He was also awarded a travel scholarship to present research papers at international conferences held in Miami and Lyon in 2014 and 2016 respectively. Prof. Hoque received first prize for the research excellence award from the University of Limpopo in the category of the best overall upcoming researcher in the year 2012.

Research focus area: Mental Health, Women’s Health, Substance use, Cervical Cancer.

Position: Head: Doctoral Programmes, Department of Public Health
Qualifications: MB; BS, MSc, MPA, PhD, Postdoc (Harvard)
Building:  N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 005: D-06
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5356-901X

Olanrewaju Oladimeji is a full Professor and Head of Doctoral Studies, as well as Chair of the Capacity Development Sub-committee at the School of Health Care Sciences. He is an NRF rated researcher. His academic journey began with medical training at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, followed by postgraduate studies in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the same university. He earned a PhD in Public Health from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and was thereafter awarded the prestigious Fogarty Scholarship for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Global Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA. Olanrewaju made significant contributions as Acting Head of the Department of Public Health at Walter Sisulu University, where he pioneered the “Publications from Dissertations” model of medical specialist-in-training (MMed) supervision and started “Catch-Them-Early Supervision Mentorship Initiatives” for new medical specialists. He holds adjunct professorial affiliations with the University of Cyberjaya (Malaysia), University of Botswana (Botswana), and University of Jos (Nigeria), and serves as a panel member for doctoral defenses at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

He is a mentor in the University of California, Los Angeles, USA and South Africa Sustainable Academic Capacity Building for Excellence in Research Training (SACERT), a collaboration involving 12 South African universities for doctoral-level training and capacity development of early-career researchers through exchange programs. He was one of the MPIs of the NIH D43 Khulani Siphile Siphuhle Doctoral Training Program (KiSS-TP). He was the Principal Investigator of SAMRC RCDI funded project Development and evaluation of a clinical prediction model for acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with or without TB-HIV co-infection in a rural tertiary teaching hospital in South Africa (AKITHSTUDY). He co-coordinated the field implementation of the first-ever national TB prevalence survey in South Africa and was one of the co-investigators of the of the fifth South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behavior and Communication Survey, (SABSSM V).

He is passionate about contextualised health interventions, co-created health innovations and community-driven implementation research, especially in marginalised population and hard-to-reach communities. His primary research focus lies in enhancing access to care for individuals affected by Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Mental Health including other non-communicable diseases. He is deeply committed to mentoring emerging researchers and healthcare professionals, having supervised over 65 postgraduate students. His prolific publication record is reflected in a Google Scholar citation index of 56,820, an h-index of 35, and an i10-index of 75. Olanrewaju serves as a Guest Editor for Scientific Reports’ special collection on “Health Disparities,” an Editorial Advisor to F1000 Gateway Global Public Health, an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE, and an Associate Editor for Biomedical Central. He is also on the editorial boards of Nature Scientific Reports and the Open Public Health Journal. He reviews for Lancet and Nature Journals; he serves in the review panel of both local and international organizations. His collaboration spans the globe, he has been a guest speaker in global conferences and chairs scientific committees of international conferences.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, UK, a member of the American College of Epidemiology, and a member of the American Public Health Association. Olanrewaju was one of the recipients of the 2023 SAMRC Bronze Scientific Merit Awards for his exceptional contributions to health research in South Africa

Position: Associate Professor Public Health
Qualification(s): BSc, MBA, B.Ed Honors in Education Leadership, PhD (Public Health).
Office Tel: + 2712 521 4163
Email: martha.chadyiwa@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 4: D-1
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6263-4402

Professor Martha Chadyiwa is a distinguished Associate Professor of Public Health at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, renowned for her exceptional leadership in Environmental and Occupational Health. Her impressive academic credentials include an MBA from Twente University (Netherlands), a PhD in Public Health from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a B.Ed Honors in Education Leadership and Management from the University of Johannesburg. Her leadership excellence is demonstrated through her tenure as Head of Department of Environmental Health at the University of Johannesburg (2012-2017), where she spearheaded the development of the Master of Public Health curriculum and pioneered an innovative MPH chatbot, as well as her influential role as Vice-Chair of the U21 Sustainable Development Goals committee (2019-2024).

A prolific researcher and internationally recognized scholar, Professor Chadyiwa has established herself through extensive publications in high-impact journals, editorial board memberships across prestigious academic publications, and successful research funding from organisations including the South African Medical Research Council. Her scholarly excellence has been acknowledged through numerous accolades, including being named among South Africa’s Inspiring Fifty women in STEM (2021), receiving the Black Women in Science Fellowship (2025), and winning the Olympus International Awards South Africa (OIASA2025). Beyond research, she has mentored several students to completion and remains deeply committed to community engagement through intervention programs addressing public health challenges in underserved South African populations, embodying a transformative approach to public health education and practice across Southern Africa.  Professor Martha Chadyiwa has established herself as one of the leading authorities in Environmental and Occupational Health, specialising in environmental impact assessment, occupational health and safety, and community-based public health research in resource-constrained settings.

Position: Senior Lecturer in Health Systems Management and Policy Unit
Qualification(s): B Cur (I et A) (1996), B Tech (OHN) (1998), MPH (2007), PhD (Nursing Sciences) (2019)
Tel: 012 521 5031
Email: moreoagae.randa@smu.ac.za
Building: Public Health building: Office number: 012
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0067-289X

Dr. MB Randa serves as the Course Director for Health Systems Management and Policy (MPBB191) and as a co-facilitator for the MPBC191 module. She holds a PhD in Nursing Sciences, a Master of Public Health, a B Cur (I et A), and a B Tech (OHN), complemented by various diplomas, including Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and Medical-Surgical Nursing (Critical Care-R212). Commencing her clinical career in 1988, she transitioned to academia in 2011, assuming the role of a clinical facilitator at the University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus). By 2013, she became a lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, where her responsibilities included coordinating undergraduate nursing programs and facilitating Primary Emergency Care for campus students.

As a Senior Lecturer, academic, and researcher, Dr. Randa brings over 35 years of extensive experience garnered from demanding roles across the health and education sectors. Her administrative expertise encompasses coordinating nursing education and ensuring compliance with legislative and quality standards for nursing education and training at affiliated institutions. Her research interests are primarily focused on Gender-Based Violence, with a particular emphasis on both domestic and sexual violence and have expanded to encompass Sexual and Reproductive Health and Mental Health. Dr. Randa supervises both Master’s and MPH students and is actively involved in co-supervision for PhD candidates. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed international, national and local journals, contributing to 11 book chapters. Furthermore, she has successfully attracted collaborative local and international funding for her research work, including additional funding in 2021 for the development of Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) on gender-based violence

Position: Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit
Qualification(s): MPHHM, PHDPH
Tel: 012 521 4969
Email: mygirl.lowane@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 4: D3
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1705-5919

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.

Position: Lecturer in Health System Management and Policy Unit
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
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3289-689X

Dr. Thembi Simbeni 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 Simbeni 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. Simbeni”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)

Position: Lecturer in Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit
Qualification(s): BSc (Medunsa), Bsc Honours (Biology) (Medunsa), Master in Public Health (University of Limpopo – Medunsa Campus), PhD
Tel: 012 521 3969
Email: mabina.mogale@smu.ac.za
Building: 
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3847-444X

Dr. Mabina Mogale is a Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), with 23 years of academic experience. He lectures in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Methods. Dr. Mogale is also responsible for the online Biostatistics and Research Methodology pilot courses offered to postgraduate students in the University. He has supervised over 40 MPH students and other postgraduate students. He is currently supervising 4 PhD students. 

His research interests include maternal and child health, digital transformation in health, and non-communicable diseases. His PhD thesis explored “The behavioural intention of healthcare professionals to use real-time continuous glucose monitoring on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Tshwane”. His research work related to maternal health include cervical cancer and screening, antenatal care and sexual and reproductive health, family planning, abortion and uptake of vaccination among pregnant mothers.  In terms of child health, his main focus area is on childhood vaccination to understand factors associated with missed opportunities for vaccination (MOVs), vaccine hesitancy, cold chain management and uptake of vaccines among children and adolescents. He is also passionate about digital innovation and transformation and how these can be leveraged to improve public health. He led a study on the Economic assessment of the Hexaxim® vaccine’s implementation in South Africa’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation, which contributed to the introduction of the hexavalent vaccine in South Africa. 

Dr Mogale’s involvement goes beyond teaching and research. He is the chairperson of the Academic Planning Committee in the Department of Public Health, Chairperson of the Digital Transformation Task Team in the School of Health Care Sciences (SMU), Deputy Co-chair of the Tshwane District Research Committee. Dr Mogale is a member of various committees including the; ICT Committee of Senate (SMU), organising Committees of the SMU Research Days, Tshwane Research Conference Planning Committees, South African Vaccination and Immunization Centre (SAVIC) at SMU, and steering committee of the GAVI Alliance (003-2024-GAVI-RFP) project for the Hexavalent vaccine switch. 

Furthermore, he is a project coordinator for Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in collaboration with the Centre of International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) on issues related to sexual and reproductive health, family planning and comprehensive abortion care.

Position: nGAP Lecturer in Social and Behavioural Sciences Unit
Qualification(s): ENA Cert; EN Cert; D4 in Nursing; BCUR I ET A; MPH; MBA (Digital transformation); PhD (Public Health)
Tel: 2712 521 4163
Email: Raikane.seretlo@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building. No 4: D-1
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6459-9065

Dr. Seretlo is a New Generations of Academics Programme (nGAP) Lecturer at the School of Public Health in the division of Social & Behavioural Science.  Dr. Seretlo teaches and facilitates Public Health modules, specifically Principles of Public Health Education and Health Promotion (MPBA191 and MPBC602). His academic role involves guiding postgraduate students through the foundational and advanced concepts of health education, promotion strategies, and community health frameworks.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he is actively involved in community engagement through the Ubuntu Model of Nursing Project, a collaborative initiative with the University of Pretoria. This project promotes culturally responsive and community-rooted approaches to nursing, aligning with broader goals of health equity and social accountability in healthcare delivery.

Dr. Seretlo’s research interests encompass eHealth, telemedicine, mHealth applications, innovation, technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and sexual and reproductive healthcare services. He focuses on addressing the healthcare needs of key populations, including the LGBTIQ+ community, prisoners, sex workers, and survivors of gender-based violence and rape. He is experienced in teaching, research supervision, and leading projects across HIV, PrEP, and STI-related health interventions. Skilled in qualitative and mixed-methods research, with a growing portfolio of postgraduate student supervision and applied public health projects. To-date; he has graduated 3 Masters and has published more than 20 articles in peer-reviewed international & national journals and has published 1 academic book chapter.

Dr. Seretlo currently serves as a University Representative on the Ekurhuleni Research Committee (2025), where they play an active role in supporting district-level research governance. In this capacity, Raikane contributes as both a member and reviewer of research protocols, ensuring ethical and methodological rigor in studies conducted within the Ekurhuleni District. In addition, Dr. Seretlo holds a Board Member position at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital (2025), a tertiary-level mental health facility. Their role on the board includes providing strategic oversight, supporting policy development, and contributing to the governance and advancement of mental health services.

Outside of academia, Dr. Seretlo has achieved numerous accolades, such as being recognized as the best student in enrolled nursing (both practical and theory), community nursing, and psychiatric nursing. He graduated cum laude with a nursing degree and has been honoured by the Golden Key International Honour Society. He has also been named one of the Mail and Guardian 200 young South Africans and was nominated as a Nurse Hero in 2023. Additionally, he received the CEO Innovative Nurse award in 2023.

Position: Lecturer in Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit
Qualification(s): BSc (Natural Sciences – University of the North); BSc Hons (Medical Microbiology – Medunsa); National Diploma, Medical Technology (Virology – Wits Technikon); MPH (UL- Medunsa campus); MPH (Field Epidemiology SAFELTP – UP); Post Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences Education (Wits). PhD candidate
Tel: 012 521 3055
Email: mmampedi.huma@smu.ac.za
Building: N28 – Old Veterinary Building
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6493-5567

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. Ms Mmampedi Mathibe is involved in supervising MPH students and mentors Field Epidemiology students from FETP/NICD. Her research interests are in STIs and Reproductive Health, Substance use and abuse (nyaope) and Infectious Diseases.

Position: Lecturer in Occupational and Environmental Health Unit
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: 
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9974-5263

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.

Position: Lecturer Health Systems Management and Policy Unit
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: 
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4432-6910

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.

Position: Lecturer in Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit
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: 
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2148-7439

Ms 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.

Position: Lecturer in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences unit
Qualification(s): Bsc (UL), Bsc Hons: Environmental Technology (UP), Post graduate diploma in Public Health (SMU),  Master of Public Health (UP); PhD in Public Health (SMU)
Tel: 012 521 4117
Email: mohora.malebatja@smu.ac.za
Building: 
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0915-5493

Mohora Feida Malebatja is a Lecturer at the School of Healthcare Sciences, Department of Public Health in the division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. She worked in government as a Chief Development Expert: Water Boards Oversight at Department of Water and Sanitation National Office. She was also appointed as Manager: Water Services and Sanitation at Ditsobotla Municipality under Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, and Covid-19 Epidemiologist at Department of Health Limpopo Provincial office before joining Academia. She also served as a National Coordinator for Regulatory Performance Measurement System and Water Quality Planning Scientist at Department of Water and Sanitation National Office.  Her educational background includes PhD in Public Health (SMU), Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental and Occupational Health Track (UP), Post graduate diploma in Public Health (SMU), Bsc Hons: Environmental Technology (UP), and Bachelor of Science Degree (UL).

Some of the portfolios she held include serving as a Secretary for Sandvet, Schoonspruit and Modder Riet Catchment Forums. She was nominated as a Committee Member for National Water Quality Treatment Modelling and the establishment of a Salinity Management Strategy and long-term solution to address the Acid Mine Drainage at National Department of Water and Environmental Affairs presently known as Water and Sanitation Department. As part of her duties as CDE: Water Boards, Feida was responsible for tackling parliamentary queries, ministerial submissions, training of Water Boards Members, institutional arrangements, establishment and oversight of 12 Water Utilities at National level. She also served as a chairperson for various water and wastewater treatment upgrading and refurbishment project steering committees at Ditsobotla Municipal level as the Head of Department for Water Services and Sanitation. She has led various community engagement and public participation steering committees at municipal level. She was part of the Senior Management Committee for Infrastructure. She served as a Member of the Municipal Mayoral Committee: Infrastructure at Ditsobotla Municipality. She was nominated as a Member of Tender Evaluation Committee at Ditsobotla Municipality. She served as part of the Covid-19 outbreak response team at Department of Health Limpopo Provincial Office. She served as part of National Green drop/Blue drop assessors at Department of Water and Sanitation Head Office. She was also responsible for providing support to Municipal officials and Department of Water and Sanitation Regional offices for Northwest, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga Province as their key contact at National level.

She is passionate about Public Health with more interest on Environmental Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Occupational Hygiene, Water Quality, Toxicology, Risk Assessment, Methods of Exposure, Air Quality, Disease Control, Health Systems Policy, Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases, Zoonosis, and Climate Change. She conducts studies on Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Water quality, Air quality, Geophagy, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Occupational Hygiene, and Climate Change. She is involved in teaching and learning, and research supervision of master’s students. She published 8 research articles in various international peer reviewed journals. She serves at various committees at departmental and school ‘s level in the university.  She served as a session chair, judge, and organiser for several research webinars, trainings and workshops. She is an affiliated Member of Water Institute for Southern Africa. She has participated in various research conferences at local, national and international level. She is a recipient of New Generation of Academics grant. She previously scooped educational sponsorships from Department of Water and Sanitation to pursue both her undergraduate and post-graduate studies. She was amongst the candidates who were delegated to represent the university at ERWAT.  She represented the Municipality in the media platforms such as radio interviews and local newspapers, and other key government departments/activities where was featured and covered at WISA Magazine and Noordwester Newspaper several times.  She is an active member of Limpopo Public Health Research Journal Club, Columbia Global Consortium on Climate Change and Health Education Public Health Working Group, and Ward 37 Stakeholder Committee for substance abuse. She serves as a peer reviewer for various international peer review journals.

Position: Lecturer in Social and Behavioral Sciences Unit
Qualification(s): National Diploma: Journalism (TUT), BSc Dietetics (Medunsa), MPH (SMU), PhD candidate (Stellenbosch University)
Tel: 012 521 4613
Email: thembekile.dhlamini@smu.ac.za
Building: 
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0329-2067

Ms Thembekile Dhlamini is a lecturer in the Department of Public Health within the Social and Behavioral Sciences at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She is responsible for teaching and learning in postgraduate and masters’ studies. She directs Principles of Public Health Education (MPBA191) for Master of Public Health Program and Introduction to Public Health Education and Health Promotion (MPBC 602) for Post- Graduate Diploma in Public Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and a Master of Public Health from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She also holds a communication degree in journalism from Tshwane University of Technology.  She is pursuing her PhD in Nutritional Sciences at Stellenbosch University with the interest to respond to how a framework for integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies for sustainable food production and food and nutrition security in response to climate change impacts can be developed using shared learning involving stakeholders and communities of interest. She enhanced her understanding of environmental issues on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa and Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries with the University of Cape Town and Transformation of the Global Food System with the University of Copenhagen. She worked in different provinces in South Africa serving in public health settings with her main interest in maternal and child health, interacting with communities and different stakeholders.

Position: Lecturer in Social and Behavioral Sciences Unit
Qualification(s): BPaed FHU (1987); MA ELT Thames Valley University (1993); MAP WITS (1995); MPH MEDUNSA (2004)
Tel:
Email: margaret.mbelle@smu.ac.za
Building: 
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4671-7704

Ms Margaret Ntombizodwa Mbelle (Zo) is is currently a lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, within the School of Health Care Sciences, in the Department of Public Health.

Her academic qualifications span multiple disciplines, including education, business administration, ethics, research, and public health. She obtained these from esteemed institutions such as Fort Hare University, Wits Business School, Thames Valley University (UK), Christ Church College (UK), the University of Limpopo (formerly MEDUNSA), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and the University of South Africa (UNISA). She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from UNISA, with a dissertation titled “Process Evaluation of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Component of the Integrated School Health Policy in South African Schools.” The key concepts underpinning this work include sexual and reproductive health (SRH), mixed methods, logic models, joint displays, and the modified Delphi technique. She is currently pursuing an LLB through Regenesys Business School, with completion expected in 2026.

Dr Mbelle brings over 25 years of diverse professional experience, having served in senior roles such as Senior Manager, Director, Acting Cluster Manager, and Acting Head of Unit. Her extensive background encompasses the fields of research, education, health, and business management, with employment across non-governmental organisations (including HST, British Council, and JET), national and provincial government, research institutions (such as SAMRC and HSRC), and now academia.

She has also served as Secretariat to the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC), the National Health Research Committee (NHRC), and as Head of the team managing the National Health Research Database (NHRD) on behalf of the National Department of Health (NDoH), with direct reporting to the Board of Trustees.

Dr Mbelle has worked as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, and Project Manager for several national research projects, and has also held the position of Acting Head of a data management centre. She has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications across various health disciplines. Her academic interests and niche areas include sexual and reproductive health, non-communicable diseases, and mental health.

She currently serves as Module Director for two postgraduate public health courses: Monitoring and Evaluation, and Theoretical Foundations of Public Health Education and Promotion.