Agriculture and Science

Mbalenhle is a passionate, pioneering and persistent woman.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Policy and Development, and a Master of Science in Agriculture. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Food Security, focusing on food systems and community development.  

Her area of speciality is Food Security as well as Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management. Her recent achievements are many. She was selected as Ezemvelo’s KZN WildlifeCovid-19 Community Relief Programme Ambassador in recognition of an active, involving and influential role in society in 2020.  She is one of the young emerging researchers within the Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems (SHEFS), a global research programme spearheaded by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

She was honoured as a Wonder Woman in Science for the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science in 2019.  She was invited by the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS) to speak at the Regional Young Scientists’ Conference in partnership with The World Academy of Sciences Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Partner(TWAS-SAREP) in Kenya in 2019.

She was a speaker at the South African Young Academy of Science(SAYAS) Food Security and Policy Workshop in 2018 which contributed to the Food Security and Policy Development for the SADC region. She was awarded a certificate by the Iowa State University for participating in their Professional Development Workshop in 2018. She has been involved as a panellist in numerous engagements including the KZN’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Summit in 2018.