Prof. Sibusiso Mkwananzi is an Associate Professor and Senior Researcher in Climate and Health at Wits RHI, South Africa. She holds a PhD in Demography and Population Studies, an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and a Bachelor of Dental Science. Her professional experience spans academic research, public health, demography, epidemiology, climate and health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and national policy advisory work.
Prof Mkwananzi has advanced quantitative expertise, encompassing multilevel modelling, demographic technical analytics, and mixed-methods public health research. She leads major interdisciplinary research, including the HIGH Horizons project and Heat Adaptation for Pregnant women and Infants (HAPI) study, which examine heat exposure, maternal, newborn and child health, healthcare worker adaptation, early warning systems, and climate-resilient health systems.
She serves as a Commissioner on South Africa’s National Planning Commission, contributing to national deliberations on development, health, gender, youth, and climate-related priorities. Her current work focuses on generating rigorous, equity-centred evidence on the health impacts of climate change, with particular attention to vulnerable populations, health system preparedness, and policy translation.