Nothando Ngwenya

Nothando Ngwenya is a behavioural and mental health researcher at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in Durban, South Africa, with honorary appointments at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the University of Oxford and University College London, UK. She has a background in computer science, and her work spans digital health, oncology and HIV research, with a focus on adolescents and young adults living with chronic conditions in resource-constrained settings.

Her research examines resilience, emotional wellbeing and self-management among young people facing adversity, particularly those living with HIV. Drawing on behavioural science, psychology and social-ecological systems thinking, she develops culturally grounded, complexity-informed interventions that promote holistic health outcomes.

She plays a leadership role in AHRI’s education and training programmes and is committed to mentoring the next generation of African scientists. Guided by the philosophy of “ubuntu” – a traditional southern African philosophy centered on human interconnectedness, meaning “I am because we are” – she promotes inclusive research environments that emphasise collaboration and African-led solutions to local challenges.