Soph_Spotkolours, Author at University of the Western Cape

27 July 2026

2026 SOPH PhD Induction Series Wraps Up Successfully

The PhD induction series took place from 4 February to 9 March 2026, drawing participation from 19 pre-doctoral and newly registered doctoral fellows. The series consisted of six two-hour thematic sessions facilitated by the SOPH PhD programme support team.

24 July 2026

UWC-SOPH Hosts Productive PhD Writing Retreat

The UWC School of Public Health (SOPH) held its annual PhD writing retreat in September 2025, welcoming 21 doctoral candidates.

24 July 2026

Strengthening Global Partnerships: UWC Dietetics Academics Complete Erasmus+ Exchange at Ankara University

Two academics from UWC's Department of Dietetics and Nutrition recently completed an Erasmus+ funded reciprocal exchange visit to Ankara University in Türkiye. The visit strengthened academic collaboration, identified new research opportunities, and provided valuable insights into innovative nutrition education, hospital dietetics and university food service systems.

22 July 2026

Insights and experiences on leadership development: South African Learning Alliance for the District Health System

Overall, current evidence suggests that there is a need to rethink and advance health system learning and management development in South Africa. This policy brief outlines the key conclusions we have reached in the SALAD network on strengthening leadership and management capacity in and for the DHS. The focus in this brief is on the development of leadership capacity.

22 July 2026

UWC-SOPH Contributes to the 2nd Public Health Diplomacy Summit in Memphis

UWC-SOPH’s Prof Olagoke Akintola, Dr Woldekidan Amde, and Dr Anam Nyembezi attended the 2nd Public Health Diplomacy Summit, an engaging platform for dialogue and collaboration, hosted by the University of Memphis School of Public Health from 23–25 March 2026.

8 July 2026

Quality health systems

Quality health services require complex systems and processes to work together in harmony. Here, we explore various elements of the DHS that impact the quality of health services with an emphasis on successful models from across the country.

8 July 2026

Leadership

Leadership in South Africa’s DHS requires motivating and coordinating local providers while facilitating whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration. Here, we explore how to strengthen and conceptualise leadership without exercising traditional command-and-control managerial authority.

8 July 2026

Health financing

Quality healthcare in South Africa requires the careful management of limited financial resources. Here, we look at strategies for managing those resources in innovative ways.

8 July 2026

Monitoring, evaluation, learning

To address the complex frontline realities of South African communities, the district health system must continually monitor, evaluate and learn (MEL) about what is working, what is not, and how needs are changing. Here, we explore innovative approaches to MEL across the health system.