UWC School of Public Health

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

INVITATION: ANNUAL DAVID SANDERS LECTURE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Dear Colleagues-

The School of Public Health (SOPH), is pleased to warmly invite you to the Annual David Sanders Lecture in Public Health and Social Justice, taking place on Monday, 14 September 2026 at 17h30 (SAST) at the SOPH, University of the Western Cape.

This will be a hybrid event, with colleagues and guests welcome to join us either in person or online.

The Annual David Sanders Lecture honours the legacy of the late Emeritus Professor David Sanders, founding director of the School of Public Health, and recognises his profound and lasting contributions to the University of the Western Cape and to the field of public health and social justice, both locally and internationally.

We would be delighted to have you join us for this special occasion as we come together to reflect on and celebrate Professor Sanders' enduring legacy and contribution to public health.

RSVP HERE -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCEBNbYygKw4hhBZcA_bVLilawGvg08BcB2-LY4rD54mri3A/viewform
Access the live stream HERE -> https://www.youtube.com/live/i5rKFL_9plk

Further details are provided in the attached invitation.

03/09/2026

SOPH staff and building is buzzing this week! One reason is the 2nd CEPSA-AfricaCDC Advanced Pharmacovigilance Course in full swing this week with 28 participants from.all over Africa.

It was wonderful to see colleagues come together to share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on strengthening pharmacovigilance and medicines safety across the continent.

The event is co-hosted in Cape Town by the University of the Western Cape and the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, in a very welcome partnership with the Africa CDC and the Team Europe Initiative on AU-EU Health Partnership, which includes support for manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa (MAV+).

We are excited for the engaging discussions, learning opportunities, and activities that lie ahead throughout the week. Here’s to a productive and inspiring workshop!

01/09/2026

Check out this throwback video of Advocate Adila Hassim delivering the 2019 David Sanders Lecture, where she discussed how we value life and dignity within and beyond the health system.

Advocate Adila Hassim discussed how we value the life and dignity within and beyond the health system.

01/09/2026

| UWC honours Advocate Adila Hassim SC with a Doctor Philosophiae, honoris causa, for her contribution to constitutional rights and social justice. Read more: https://www.uwc.ac.za/news-and-announcements/news/honorary-doctorate-recipient-2025-adila-hassim

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

🚨 KESS RESEARCH DAY 2026 IS CALLING! 🚨

Have you conducted research in the Khayelitsha and Eastern Sub-Structure (KESS) between 2024–2026? Then this is your moment to share it, showcase it and spark conversations that matter.

Hosted by the University of the Western Cape School of Public Health, in collaboration with the UWC School of Nursing and KESS, The KESS Research Day 2026 brings together researchers, students, healthcare professionals and partners to connect, learn and highlight research with real-world impact.

📅 Save the date: 30 October 2026

🎤 Submit an abstract — submissions close 14 September 2026
👀 Register to attend — registration closes 12 October 2026
🤝 Come connect, learn and be part of the conversation

📢 Registration and abstract submissions are now open!

🔗 https://soph.uwc.ac.za/news/khayelitsha-and-eastern-sub-structure-kess-research-day-2026/

Let’s put KESS research in the spotlight. 💡

The Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness (WCGHW), Khayelitsha Eastern Sub-structure (KESS) is hosting its 2026 Research Day "Evidence, Equity and Excellence"- Advancing Healthcare in KESS: Where evidence guides, equity bridges, and excellence delivers”

28/08/2026

UWC School of Public Health's Michelle De Jong at the AI Colloquium 2026: Ethical Use of AI in Teaching, Research, Administration, and Community Engagement

27/08/2026

A School Meal Should Never Make a Child Sick
For millions of South African learners, a school meal is an essential part of the school day — but that meal must also be safe. A recent Sunday Times report highlights concerning gaps in food safety across the National School Nutrition Programme, with UWC School of Public Health PhD candidate Asanda Getyeza-Ntswam warning that the consequences can extend far beyond compliance. Her contribution highlights why protecting children’s health requires attention not only to nutrition, but to the entire food system that delivers it.
A school meal is more than a plate of food: for millions of learners, it is an essential part of the school day and a support for health, learning and development. Yet a Sunday Times report highlights worrying gaps in food safety across South Africa’s National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
The report draws on concerns raised by Asanda Getyeza-Ntswam, a PhD candidate at UWC’s School of Public Health, who warns that unsafe food practices can have serious consequences for children. While the NSNP reaches millions of learners daily, compliance with food safety requirements varies between provinces and schools. The challenge is therefore not simply about whether suppliers are appointed, but whether the entire food system, from preparation and storage to transport, infrastructure, inspection and oversight, works safely.
For public health, this is a reminder that nutrition programmes must protect both access to food and the safety and quality of what children eat.
Listen to Asanda's interview on Cape Talk

Asanda Getyeza-Ntswam, Public Health expert and Phd candidate at th...

27/08/2026

Webinar Series
Shaping the Future DHS Leader
Register https://uwc.zoom.us/meeting/register/6T_h0h9BTwOArxCHFqooJw #/registration