“Meet Muimeleli Munyadziwa, the trailblazing young woman who has scooped Research Awards in three consecutive years in the field of Public Health. As we commemorate Women’s Month, her remarkable achievements stand as a testament to female excellence in academia. Driven by passion and dedication, she continues to push the boundaries of knowledge and inspire others with her groundbreaking work. Let’s celebrate her contributions and the countless other women making waves in the world of Public Health this month and beyond.”
Ms Munyadziwa, a 28-year-old, 2nd year PhD candidate in Public Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, has once again proven her excellence.
She was awarded with the First Prize for the Best Poster and Experimental setup during the UNIV-EN 2024 Research Open Day Awards, held on 19 July 2024, marking her third win in three years in a row. In 2022, Ms Munyadziwa earned her first prize for her Master’s degree poster presentation. The following year (2023), she started her PhD in Public Health focusing on childhood trauma. Her goal is to develop a Trauma informed curriculum that helps primary school teachers support chil-dren dealing with trauma in Limpopo Province. “Children are very close to my heart,” she said. “It’s important to make sure they are protected and helped as they also hold the future for tomorrow. In 2023, her research experimental setup won her another top award (1st prize). This year (2024), she presented one of the phases of her PhD study, again impressing judges.
As a woman, this achievement is meaningful, especially as we celebrate Women’s Month. Munyadzi-wa’s journey shows the power and potential of women. She encourages all women to work hard and not give up. “It’s not easy, but it’s doable,” she highlighted. She balances being a mother of three, a wife, and a nurse at a Correctional Centre. She encourages women to take on business roles, contribute financially, engage in community work, and succeed in education.
She expressed deep gratitude for the support and supervision from her PhD mentors, Prof Lufuno Makhado and Prof. Angelina Maphula both from UNIVEN.
Muimeleli acknowledges their important role in her research and career development. She mentioned that their guidance has been instrumental in shaping her journey towards becoming an academic researcher.
As Women’s Month continues, Muimeleli Munyadziwa ’s story stands as a beacon of inspiration. Her achievements not only celebrate her personal victories but also serve as a powerful reminder to women everywhere of their potential to excel and inspire others.
As we are continuing with the women’s month celebration, the University congratulates Ms Muimeleli Munyadziwa on her hard work, dedication, and innovative that have truly made a significant impact in the field of Public Health. “Your achievements are an inspiration to us all. Well done and best wishes for your future research endeavours”, said the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Tshilidzi Mulaudzi.
Issued by:
Department Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
