Background: Phunyuka Bvuma-Ngwenya is a highly skilled dietitian and lactation
consultant with extensive experience in public health nutrition. She holds a Master’s in
Public Health with a specialization in nutrition from Stellenbosch University and is a certified
South African Lactation Consultant (SACLC) through Wits University. With a robust
educational background in dietetics from the Medical University of South Africa, Phunyuka
is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Professional Experience: Phunyuka has a wealth of experience spanning over two decades,
starting from her early role as a Community Service Dietician to her current position at
Nurture Nature Holdings. She has previously served as the Chief Nutritionist at the Mopani
District Office, where she spearheaded initiatives to combat malnutrition, coordinated food
service policies, and provided critical support for breastfeeding programs. Her leadership
extends to training healthcare professionals and leading public health campaigns to
promote better nutrition and infant care practices.

Clinical Research Contributions: At Khomanani Research Centre, Phunyuka brings her vast
knowledge in dietetics and maternal and child health to support clinical research initiatives.
Her expertise is particularly valuable in trials focusing on maternal and child health, where
she contributes to the development and implementation of nutrition protocols that ensure
the well-being of participants. Her work also includes providing lactation consulting as part
of clinical trials, ensuring that research outcomes support healthy breastfeeding practices.

Role at Khomanani Research Centre: As a Dietitian and Lactation Consultant, Phunyuka is
pivotal in the design and execution of clinical trials related to nutrition and breastfeeding.
She is responsible for assessing the nutritional needs of trial participants, providing dietary
counselling, and ensuring that nutritional interventions are effective and ethically sound.
Her role is integral to advancing the centre’s mission of improving maternal and child
health through evidence-based research and community engagement.

Vision: Phunyuka is dedicated to advancing Khomanani Research Centre’s vision of
becoming a leader in maternal and child health research. She aims to leverage her
expertise to promote holistic health and wellness, ensuring that the centre’s research
contributes to healthier communities and supports sustainable development in
underserved regions.