Mrs Phumeza Mkontwana

Mrs Phumeza Mkontwana is a community nutrition lecturer at the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Nelson Mandela University. She has worked in various fields of nutrition and dietetics for more than 22 years including 9 years in academia. Her research focus areas are in the fields of infant and young child nutrition, food insecurity, policy development and nutrition for the elderly. She uses both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in her projects.

Her approach to learning and teaching involves creating an environment that drives students to develop a problem-solving attitude. This enables students to come up with innovative ideas to address nutrition challenges in the communities and helps them identify opportunities that are available for exploration in the versatile field of nutrition and dietetics.

Designation:

Lecturer

Email:

phumeza.mkontwana@mandela.ac.za

Contact Number: 

0415044282

Faculty:

Health Sciences

Department:

Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Qualifications:

BSc., BSc. Hons. Nutrition and Dietetics, MA Health and Welfare Management

Professional Memberships:

HPCSA, ADSA

Orcid ID:

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8141-5934

NRF Rating: 

N/A

Research Interests:

  • Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) including nutrition for children with special needs

  • Nutrition Policies

  • Food Insecurity and Nutrition for the Elderly

Current non-degree Research Projects:

  1. Iodine status

  2. Food fortification

Current Final Year Undergraduate/Honours Research Projects:

  1. A situational analysis of food and nutrition services in old age homes that offer catering services and are registered with the Department of Social Development in the Nelson Mandela Bay District.

Number of currently supervised Masters and PhD candidates (2023 to 2024):

  • Masters: 1

  • PhD: 0

Research Output 2023 to 2024:

N/A

Current Research Collaborations within your Department or Discipline:

  1. Nutrition in stunting and infant and young child feeding. Supervising and examining Masters research projects from other universities.

Current Inter-Disciplinary/Multi-Disciplinary/Trans-Disciplinary Research Collaborations:

  1. Lifestyle modification health education – barriers and facilitators among community health workers in Port Elizabeth - Collaboration between HMS, Nursing and Medical School.