At just 29 years old, Dr Muimeleli Munyadziwa is blazing a trail as one of South Africa’s most promising young scholars in the field of public health research. With a compelling vision, unwavering determination, and a passion for community impact, she has rapidly risen to national and international recognition.
As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, Dr Muimeleli Munyadziwa’s story resonates deeply with this year’s spirit of empowerment and resilience. She exemplifies the strength, intellect, and transformative potential of young women who rise above systemic barriers to create meaningful change. Her journey not only honours the legacy of women who fought for equality but also inspires a new generation to lead with purpose, compassion, and academic excellence.
Dr Muimeleli Munyadziwa was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health recently by the University of Venda (UNIVEN), a milestone she reached in just two years. Her doctoral research developed a trauma-informed curriculum for primary school teachers, addressing the critical need for mental health support in classrooms, particularly for learners affected by childhood trauma.
Her academic journey is defined by consistent excellence and recognition. Most recently, she clinched first place for Best Poster Presentation in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UNIVEN 2025 Research Open Day. This marked her fourth top award in competitive research forums. Reflecting on her achievement, she noted, “This was not just another win; it was a reminder that young researchers have a place at the table. Our work is valid, and our voices matter.”
also inspires a new generation to lead with purpose, compassion, and academic excellence.
Dr Muimeleli Munyadziwa was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health recently by the University of Venda (UNIVEN), a milestone she reached in just two years. Her doctoral research developed a trauma-informed curriculum for primary school teachers, addressing the critical need for mental health support in classrooms, particularly for learners affected by childhood trauma.
Her academic journey is defined by consistent excellence and recognition. Most recently, she clinched first place for Best Poster Presentation in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UNIVEN 2025 Research Open Day. This marked her fourth top award in competitive research forums. Reflecting on her achievement, she noted, “This was not just another win; it was a reminder that young researchers have a place at the table. Our work is valid, and our voices matter.”
Dr Munyadziwa’s reach extends beyond South African borders. In 2024, she be-came one of the first female recipients of the South Africa Sustainable Academic Ca-pacity Building for Excellence in Research Training (SACERT) scholarship from UNIVEN, which enabled her to complete a three-month academic exchange at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During her time at UCLA, she received advanced training in biosta-tistics, expanded her research capabilities, and established lasting international collaborations.
Her success at UCLA opened new doors, earning her a role as a facilitator under Cookies and Rela-tionships (CAR), a newly established collaborative research and capacity-building initiative between UCLA and UNIVEN. She was introduced to the programme by Dr Thendo Makhado and now works under the guidance of Prof Lufuno Makhado, whom she credits as a key mentor in her journey.
“Dr Makhado, Prof. Makhado, and Prof. Maphula believed in me long before I believed in myself. They nurtured my ideas, mentored me, and helped me rise. I owe so much to their guidance.”
Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UNIVEN, Dr Munyadziwa con-tinues her impactful work at the intersection of trauma, education, and public health. Her achievements stand as a powerful testament that young, Black, rural-born wom-en can lead in academic and research spaces that have historically been difficult to access.
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Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
