RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT
Research Ethics Committees
Overview of Ethics Committees
Turfloop Research Ethics and Animal Research Ethics Committees (TREC/AREC)
In line with national and international guidelines on ethical research, every organisation/institution, health agency and health establishment at which research involving human participants is conducted should have a duly registered Human/Animal Research Ethics Committee (REC). The University of Limpopo has two registered RECs, namely: the Turfloop Research Ethics Committee (TREC) as well the Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC).
- TREC – was established in 2010 and it deals with human research ethics
- AREC– was established in 2017 and it deals with animal research ethics
The two RECs are currently registered with the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) as the national regulatory body.
The roles of the committees
The primary role of the RECs is to ensure the well-being, safety and protection of research participants/animals. The functioning of the RECS are guided by the requirements as stipulated by the National Health Act No. 61 of 2003, the associated regulation (Regulations Relating to Research with Human Participants, 19 September 2014), the guidelines of the Department of Health (Ethics in Health Research: Principles, Processes and Structures, 2015), as well as the South African National Standard: The Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (SANS 10386:2008), national and international research ethics guidelines.
The committees are independent of research sponsors, investigators and from any other undue influence, such as political, institutional, professional or commercial influence. This independence is critical to ensuring that research participants’ interests always come first and are not secondary to other interests.
The committees are composed of experts from various fields to ensure that research proposals receive relevant and best review outcomes.
This involves allocating proposals to relevant experts in related fields to ensure that research meets the highest standards.
In line with the DOH (2015) Ethics in Health Research: Principles, Processes and Structures, the two committees are tasked to ensure the protection of research participants by accomplishing a combination of the following activities:
- The prior ethics evaluation and approval of projects
- The continuing review of ongoing research
- The active promotion of principles of ethics through education and training
Why does one need ethical clearance?
Ethics clearance is necessary for legal and moral reasons.
- The National Health Act requires that all research involving human participants undergoes an ethics review.
- Ethics approval must be obtained for all research proposals before a research study commences (especially those that have ethical implications).
- Researchers must obtain ongoing approval, at least annually, throughout the research activity
2024 Research Ethics Committee Meetings
2023 TREC Meetings and Submission Dates
STUDIES THAT REQUIRE ETHICAL CLEARANCE
Human Research Ethics (TREC)
- All human research projects conducted at the University, or by staff and students of the University, require ethical approval before the research can commence.
- Research involving potentially vulnerable groups, for example, children and young people, those with a learning disability or cognitive impairment or individuals in a dependent or unequal relationship
- Research involving those who lack capacity. All research involving those who lack capacity or who during the research project come to lack capacity must be approved by an appropriate body
- Research involving sensitive topics – for example participants’ sexual behaviour, their illegal or political behaviour, their experience of violence, their abuse or exploitation, their mental health or their gender or ethnic status.
- Research involving groups where permission of a gatekeeper is normally required for initial access to members. This includes research involving gatekeepers such as adult professionals (e.g. those working with children or the elderly) or research in communities) where access to research participants is not possible without the permission of another adult, such as another family member (e.g. the parent or husband of the participant) or a community leader.
- Research involving deception or which is conducted without participants’ full and informed consent at the time the study is carried out. It is recognised that there are occasions when the use of covert research methods is necessary and justifiable
- Research involving access to records of personal or confidential information, including genetic or other biological information concerning identifiable individuals.
- Research which could induce psychological stress, anxiety or humiliation or cause more than minimal pain.
- Research involving intrusive interventions or data collection methods – for example, the administration of substances, vigorous physical exercise or techniques such as hypnotism. In particular, where participants are persuaded to reveal information which they would not otherwise disclose in the course of everyday life.
- Research involving respondents through the internet, in particular where visual images are used, and where sensitive issues are discussed.
- Other research involving visual/vocal methods, particularly where participants or other individuals may be identifiable.
- Research which may involve data sharing of confidential information beyond the initial consent given – for example where the research topic or data gathering involves a risk of information being disclosed that would require the researchers to breach confidentiality conditions agreed with participants.
- Research using administrative data or secure data. Researchers using these data sets will need to be approved by the body supplying the data and keep data in secure areas. Issues however may arise when data are linked and where it may be possible to identify participants.
Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC)
Ethics clearance must be obtained for the use of all live, non-human vertebrates and higher invertebrates such as advanced members of the Cephalopoda and Decapoda, including eggs, foetuses and embryos (where development of an integrated nervous system is evident) in research and teaching activities (SANS 10386:2008).
Following international best practice, AREC approval is required for all live, sentient non-human vertebrates including eggs, foetuses and embryos, that is fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and encompassing domestic animals, purpose-bred animals, farm animals, wildlife, and higher class. Invertebrates such as members of Cephalopoda and Decapoda including free-living and reproducing larval forms. Any other animals outside these categories do not need ethical approval to use for research and teaching or any other experiments.
THE ETHICS REVIEW PROCESS
1. The review process entails an independent and objective assessment of the potential effect of the proposed research on potential participants and on infrastructures that provides the site or context for the research before the research is commenced.
2. RECs must review research proposals and protocols prospectively to ensure that they meet the accepted ethical norms and standards and that research proposals stand up to scientific and ethical scrutiny appropriate to the disciplines concerned.
3. As per the 2015 department of health guiding principles for ethical research, the review must ensure that ethical and scientific standards are maintained to:
- Protect participants from harm by weighing the risks of harm against the likelihood of benefit by minimising risks of harm to the extent possible and then by balancing the risk of harm relative to the likelihood of benefit. In weighing the risk of harm against the likelihood of benefit, the analysis is concerned not only with current participants or research animals themselves but also with societal interests and future hypothetical beneficiaries.
- Hold researchers accountable for the research activities
- Promote important social and ethical values.
Note: TREC/AREC will not consider research studies for approval if the study has been carried out (retrospective).
CONSULTATIONS
Support
- Students should consult their supervisors for advice and assistance in the first instance.
- At the School/Faculty level, researchers, both staff and students, should be assisted to design ethically acceptable human research and assist them through the ethics approval process.
Further assistance can be obtained from the Secretariat:
Dr Tukiso Sewapa – Tel: 015 268 3935 email: tukiso.sewapa@ul.ac.za
Ms Moore Hutamo – Tel: 015 268 4713 email: moore.hutamo@ul.ac.za
Mr Evans Khalo Tel: +27 15 268 4885/4279 email: evans.khalo@ul.ac.za
Mr Nyiko.Machavi Tel: 015 268 3839 email: nyiko.machavi@ul.ac.za
All applications and inquiries are to be submitted to relevant email addresses as follows:
Any application/enquiry relating to Human Ethics Committee (TREC) – email: trec@ul.ac.za
Any application/enquiry relating to Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC) – email: arec@ul.ac.za
Application process for TREC and AREC
- Application form (available on the website)
- Faculty approval letter(obtained from faculty)
- Proposal with all necessary appendices as one word/pdf document (no multiple attachments)
- Abridged CV of Supervisor
Responding to Feedback where amendments are required
- Amend the proposal as per comments and highlight changes with a red font colour
- Fill in the proposal resubmisson tool (available on the website)
- Submit to relevant email adress used during application
More about TREC
The Turfloop Research Ethics Committee (TREC) in a university oversees research involving human participants or animals, ensuring adherence to ethical standards. It reviews proposals, assesses risks and benefits, ensures informed consent, and monitors ongoing research for compliance. By upholding ethical principles, the REC maintains research integrity and promotes trust in the university’s research endeavours.
TREC Documents
TREC Documents
NHREC Guiding Documents
NHREC Guiding Documents
Turfloop Research Ethics Committee (TREC)
Prof Peter Masoko
Prof Peter Masoko
Welcome to the University of Limpopo Human Research Ethics Committee, registered with the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) as Turfloop Research Ethics Committee (TREC). All health and health-related research involving human participants must be approved by TREC per the National Health Act (NHAs 72(6)(c)). The key responsibilities of TREC are to govern the standards of conduct for scientific research. For instance, adherence to ethical principles to protect the dignity, rights and welfare of research participants. Secondly, to reduce the risk of physical and psychological discomfort, damage, and/or threats that may emanate from research procedures. Importantly, TREC ensures that researches with ethical implication follow ethical guidelines/norms: informed consent (awareness, volunteerism and understanding); respect for vulnerable people (elderly people, minors, the sick, or people with mental disabilities); and minimise harms and risks, while maximising benefits: respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy, etc.
The composition and functions of the Committee meet standards laid down in the Department of Health’s Ethics in Health Research: Principles, Structures and Processes, 2015 guidelines. Finally, a large part of scientific research ethical standards encourages other important moral and social values: social responsibility, human rights, compliance with the law and health, as well as safety. Therefore, a researcher working with people requires ethical approval.
Prof Tebogo Maria Mothiba
Prof Tebogo Maria Mothiba
Prof Tebogo Maria Mothiba has interest in knowledge management of healthcare delivery that stemmed from her postgraduate studies, and she supervises postgraduate students’ research with a focus on, inter alia, staffing, HIV/AIDS, mother and child, and mental health. She has been involved in international partnerships with various countries addressing knowledge management around NCDs and CDs of patients in Limpopo Province, that links with postgraduate supervision of students where a niche area of knowledge management with patients having NCDs such as diabetes emerged.
From 2013 to 2020, Prof Mothiba successfully supervised 11 Masters and five doctoral candidates and currently supervises nine postgraduate students (masters and doctorate).
She co-authored 87 articles with masters and doctoral graduates along with research team members for research capacity development, emanating in 23 articles published in international journals and 64 in South African accredited journals. She also published two book chapters and reviewed articles for national and international journals such as Curationis, Health SA Gesondheid, and Journal of Nursing Management among others.
Since 2016, she served the TREC as a nurse and became its Deputy Chairperson in 2019. She received five Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards at the University of Limpopo in 2013, 2016 and 2019. In 2013, the University of Johannesburg has bestowed Best Academic Achiever Award on Prof Mothiba.
Dr Thembinkosi Mabila
Prof Kotsedi Daniel Monyeki
Prof Kotsedi Daniel Monyeki
Kotsedi Monyeki is a Professor of Physiology in the Department of Physiology and Environmental Health. He was re-rated as an NRF C2 researcher. In the past, he was rated L (2008) and C3 (2014). His research interests are in non-communicable diseases, physical activity, and epidemiology.
Monyeki has been the principal investigator of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) since 1996 to date, which inaugurated a biannual international conference in 2017. The ELS project plays a pivotal role in creating awareness among the members of local communities on chronic diseases and prevention.
Monyeki authored and published five book chapters, three technical reports and 120 peer-reviewed journal articles. He presented 121 research papers at national and international conferences. The ResearchGate reported about 5000 readings of his work and 617 citations by January 2020. He has supervised four honours, six master’s and two PhD students.
Prof Enslin Johannes Van Rooyen
Prof Enslin Johannes Van Rooyen
Prof Enslin van Rooyen has 29 years’ applied managerial, academic and research experience in the public and private sectors. He holds a special interest in promoting ‘Responsible Public Administration’, which refers to all issues relating to environmental accountability in the execution of public administration practice.
His professional experience includes serving as Private Secretary, Administrative Secretary, and Chief of Staff in various ministries at Parliament in Cape Town. He has previously served as Executive Dean for a higher education entity, a Professor at various universities, and Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership. He currently serves in an acting capacity as Faculty Research Professor in the Faculty of Management and Law at the University of Limpopo.
Academically, he specialises in corporate and public policy; strategic and project management; organisational dynamics and sustainability leadership. He has participated in numerous national and international conferences, published nationally and internationally, authored scholarly books, and currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Management and Administration.
Prof Lesibana Jacobus Rafapa
Prof Lesibana Jacobus Rafapa
Prof Lesibana Rafapa was appointed Research Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Limpopo (UL) in 2019 to support research initiatives of the faculty.
Amongst others, he works towards improving the quality and quantity of the Faculty’s research output; improve postgraduate supervision and throughput; increase the number of National Research Foundation rated faculty members, and organise the faculty’s annual lecture series. Prof Rafapa’s goal is to position the Faculty as one of the top producers of quality research outputs nationally and internationally.
His primary research field is in English literature, including short film and theatre; sociolinguistics of literature; cultural studies; folklore; oral literature; post-apartheid English literature; African spirituality represented in English literature; inflections of feminism portrayed in South African narratives; and Es’kia Mphahlele’s concept of African Humanism among others.
He has published 21 accredited journal articles; five (5) book chapters; five (5) conference proceedings; a monograph as well as 20 pieces of creative writings featured in novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. Also, he boasts three (3) national and 17 international conference presentations. Prof Rafapa has successfully supervised four (4) Honours, three (3) Master’s and five (5) PhD candidates.
His illustrious career includes serving within UNISA in various capacities, including as Chair of the Department of English Studies (2012 to 2015) and Associate Professor of English (2011 to 2014). He has been a Senior Lecturer and Head of English Department at the University of Venda (2006 to 2011); Manager at the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) (2000 to 2006); Lecturer at Mokopane College of Education (1995 to 2000); and High School Teacher (1980 to 1994).
Ladislaus Kakore Mdee
Ladislaus Kakore Mdee
Prof Ladislaus Kakore Mdee obtained a BSc in Chemistry and Applied Microbiology and an MSc Chemistry from the University of Dar es Salaam and a PhD in Natural Products Chemistry from the University of Botswana. His general research interests are in anti-cancer and antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants. He currently evaluates the traditional medicinal plants for potential use in cancer and tuberculosis. He also supervised and/or co-supervised M.Sc. studies in Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry. Prof Mdee has published more than 18 peer-reviewed papers and contributed to various national and international conferences. He acted as an external examiner and moderator for undergraduate courses, M.Sc. dissertations, and PhD theses as well as served in various capacities on the School of Health Care Sciences Ethical and Research Committee of the University of Limpopo (member and chairperson), Faculty of Health Higher degrees’ committee (member), and Turfloop Research Ethics Committee (member). He is also a member of the Board of Reviewers of the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative medicine (peer-reviewed journal) as publisher. He is also a member of the Board of Reviewers of the Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia (peer-reviewed journal) Publisher: The Chemical Society of Ethiopia; member of the Board of Reviewers of Pharmaceutical Biology (peer-reviewed journal) Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd; member of Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA); member of Tanzania Chemical Society (TCS) as well as Indigenous Plant Use Forum (IPUF).
Mr Phindile Raymond Msaule
Mr Phindile Raymond Msaule
Mr Phindile Raymond Msaule has graduated with an LLB and LLM degrees from the North-West University. He started as a part-time lecturer at the same institution and then served articles at Legal Aid South Africa. He was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court in 2009 and then worked as a Researcher at the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser. Before that, Mr Msaule was employed as Legal Researcher of the Judges at the High Court. He published several articles in accredited law journals and attended several conferences.
Tholene Sodi
Tholene Sodi
Tholene Sodi is a Full Professor of Psychology at the University of Limpopo (UL) in the School of Social Sciences. He is also a registered clinical psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Some of his recent professional engagements include being a Member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Applied Psychology (since 2014); Member of Work Group of the International Project on Competence in Psychology [IPCP] (since 2013); Board Member of the South African Medical Research Council (since 2016); Member and Vice-Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Mental Health (since 2015); President of the Psychological Society of South Africa (2017 – 2018); and Vice President of the HPCSA and Chairperson of the HPCSA’s Professional Board for Psychology (2010 – 2015).
He obtained a BA and BA Honours degrees from the then University of the North (now UL) and Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand. The University of Cape Town awarded him a PhD in Psychology. In addition to his degree qualifications, he has received several certificates from universities in South Africa and abroad.
Prof Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana
Prof Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana
Prof Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana heads the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Limpopo (UL). Her primary research expertise is in Indigenous Knowledge Systems; Medical Anthropology; Indigenous Food Systems; and Climate Change.
She has committed herself to ensure that the multi-disciplinary research provides an understanding that indigenous health care is holistic, achieved through curative and preventive care and sustainable provision of quality food, which are negatively impacted by unpredictable rainfall and increased temperature patterns. Rankoana believes that there is a need for further exploration of indigenous mitigation and adaptation practices for affordable and readily available holistic primary health care recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
She published 43 articles in accredited national and international journals, authored one book chapter and presented 25 papers at various academic conferences. Her academic work was cited about 200 times. To date, she supervised 57 honours, 15 master’s and four PhD students.
Previously, she was involved in projects of national importance, such as“The History and Heritage of Modimolle Mountain” and “Indigenous knowledge systems and anti-malarial medicines” among others.
Rankoana is a member of the Society for Human Ecology and Anthropology Southern Africa. She is also a senior researcher for the Centre for World Indigenous Studies.
Dr Christopher Sutton
Dr Christopher Sutton
Dr Christopher Sutton is a Paediatric Specialist. He holds MBBCh (Wits), DTM&H (Wits), DPH (Wits), DCH (CMSA) and FCPaed (CMSA). He has Good Clinical Practice certified since 2006 and he is also a Local Principal Investigator on several multinational clinical trials past and current.
Dr Sutton published in peer-reviewed publications in the fields of paediatric cardiology, paediatric haematology, paediatric infectious diseases and child health in the last 5 years. He is supervising students at the University of Limpopo and he is an internal and external examiner of MMed dissertations. His area of special expertise is in haemophilia and congenital bleeding disorders.
Prof Jabulani Makhubele
Prof Jabulani Makhubele
Prof Jabulani Makhubele is a Professor of Social Work in the Department of Social Work within the School of Social Sciences. As a qualified social worker, Makhubele’s research interests are in substance abuse, public health social work, climate change, and migration.
As part of his research impact in his discipline, some of his research findings influenced policy directives in the country – particularly in the area of homebrew concoctions that have been neglected for a long time. Makhubele believes that factual and quality work is a product of engagements with other scholars. He constantly collaborates with colleagues in a similar research area – domestically, regionally and internationally to enhance the quality, relevance and applicability of the research findings.
To date, he published 58 articles, co-edited a book and authored more than four book chapters. He also presented 32 conference presentations. Makhubele supervised 31 master’s and 13 PhD students. His academic work was cited 132 times and he has an overall h-index of 6.
He currently leads the Global South – Theme 3 for Sweden South Africa University Forum (SASUF) for the study titled “Promoting resilience among children towards education for a sustainable society from 2019 to 2020”. He is the Global South Project Leader with Prof Timo Toikko (the University of Eastern Finland, Department of Social Sciences), and Prof Kerstin Svensson from (Sweden, Lund University, School of Social Work.) for a research study titled “PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Migration, Mobilities and Social Work,” funded by Southern African – Nordic Centre (SANORD).
Makhubele also leads a research project funded by the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences on migration.
Prof Daniel Maposa
Prof Daniel Maposa
Prof Daniel Maposa holds a PhD in Statistics (Extreme Value Theory and Analysis), Registered Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.), Statistician, Quantitative Analyst.
Mr Chosana Frans Edwin Modiba
Mr Chosana Frans Edwin Modiba is a qualified electrician that is currently running an electrical company for family support. He is a graduate of North-West University in the School of Theology. He is also a pastor who renders spiritual services for the church and communities around Limpopo Province.
Prof Magdeline Kefilwe Thopola
Prof Magdeline Kefilwe Thopola
Prof Magdeline Kefilwe Thopola is an Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Specialist and mixed-method researcher. Her qualifications include Doctor of Philosophy, MCur, Nursing Education, Community Nursing Science, Occupational Health Nursing, Nursing Administration, and she is a registered midwife and Nurse.
She conducts advanced midwifery training, midwifery seminars and workshops for 4th-year students, facilitate midwifery training and clinical practice.
Prof Thopola also supervises research to undergraduates, master’s and PhD. She presented research papers and posters nationally and internationally and published midwifery and neonatal nursing articles in SAPSE and peer-review journals. She also reviews articles for national and international journals. Prof Thopola serves as an external assessor for master’s dissertations and PhD theses.
Also, she is an editorial board member of Women’s Health Care and Analysis – international journal, member of International Nursing Education, editorial board member of Health SA Gesondheid Journal, chairperson of School Research and Ethics Committee; member of TREC; member of the first cohort of Maternal and Child Health Care Leadership Academy, and member of Forum of University Deans in South Africa.
More about AREC
The Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC) at a university serves a similar function to the TREC but specifically focuses on research involving animals. Its primary role is to review research proposals to ensure that they adhere to ethical standards and guidelines for the use of animals in research. This includes assessing the necessity of animal use, the potential harm or distress to animals, and the implementation of measures to minimise suffering. The AREC also monitors ongoing research activities involving animals to ensure compliance with approved protocols and investigates any ethical concerns or breaches. Overall, the AREC plays a crucial role in promoting the ethical and humane treatment of animals in university-conducted research.
AREC Documents
AREC
Animal Research and Ethics Committee (AREC)
Prof Jones Wilfred Ngámbi
Prof Lourens Johannes Christoffel Erasmus
Prof Lourens Johannes Christoffel Erasmus
Prof Lourens Johannes Christoffel Erasmus, the current AREC Deputy Chair, has a keen interest in promoting ethics amongst Natural Scientists. He is passionate about aquatic research, especially studies that focus on fish health. His aspirations within AREC include a drive towards empowering all staff to enjoy research, upholding the values and core beliefs key to ethical research.
Dr Teedzai Chitura
Dr Teedzai Chitura
Dr Teedzai Chitura holds a Masters in Veterinary Science from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). He is registered with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) is based at the University of Limpopo’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, teaching modules in Animal Health, Physiology and Dairy Production. He serves in the UL Animal Research & Ethics Committee as a category A member (Veterinarian). Dr Chitura has served in the CSIR Research and Ethics Committee since July 2018 as an Animal Science Specialist. His research interests are in fish and livestock diseases in small scale farms of South Africa. He is also interested in research around the Indigenous Knowledge Systems that are utilised by communal livestock farmers to manage livestock diseases in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Dr Chitura has co-authored several research articles that were published in local and international peer-reviewed journals and is a supervisor for postgraduate student’s research projects.
Ms Joyce Mokobi
Ms Joyce Mokobi
Ms Mokobi is the Director of Research and Development at the Limpopo Office of the Premier. Her current responsibilities include overseeing the coordination and implementation of research initiatives in the Provincial Government. She is currently serving as a secretariat and coordinator of the Limpopo Research Forum, Limpopo Research & Ethics Committees and Provincial Evaluation Technical Working Group. She is also a member of the University of Limpopo Animal Research Ethics Committee.
She obtained a Masters in Management from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys School of Public Management. She also received training in Programme & Project Management from Wits University, Advanced Management Development Programme from the University of Pretoria, and Ethics in the Public Service from National School of Governance.
Mr Johan Theron
Mr Johan Theron
Mr Johan Theron lectures on Fish Diseases and Parasites as well as Water Quality for fish farming (ponds and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) for the BSc Hons students. He also plays a role in the community service about fish farming for the department.
Dr Thembinkosi Mabila
Mr Fhatuwani Herman Nndwambi
Mr Fhatuwani Herman Nndwambi
Mr Fhatuwani Herman Nndwambi manages farm activities in both animal and plant section.
Prof Martha Nozizwe Jali
Prof Martha Nozizwe Jali holds a PhD from the University of Limpopo and a Masters in Nursing Science from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis in the USA. Her second master’s – Master of Philosophy (MPhil) was in Applied Ethics obtained Cum Laude from the University of Stellenbosch. She has published extensively in accredited journals and supervised several postgraduate students. Currently, she is a member of the University of Limpopo Research Ethics Committee.