The North-West University (NWU) congratulates Dr Lebogang Mathibe Ramalepe, a senior psychology lecturer and public health researcher at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, on her appointment as chairperson of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF).
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of the council members on Friday, 31 July 2026, for a three-year term running from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029. The appointments were made in terms of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence Act, 2024 (Act No. 9 of 2024).
The NCGBVF is a statutory body mandated to provide strategic leadership in eliminating gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. It is responsible for coordinating a multi-sectoral and inter-sectoral approach to implementing the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide across national, provincial and local governments, as well as within communities.
In addition to appointing the seven members of the council, President Ramaphosa designated Dr Ramalepe as chairperson and Welheminah "Shoki" Tshabalala as deputy chairperson.
Dr Ramalepe is an accomplished public health researcher whose work has made significant contributions to understanding the intersections between gender, sexuality, health and social justice. Her research focuses on LGBTI+ and sexual and gender minority health, with particular emphasis on mental health, substance use, well-being, gender-based violence, HIV among key populations, and sexual and reproductive health.
She brings an impressive academic portfolio to the role. Dr Ramalepe obtained her PhD in psychology from the University of Johannesburg in 2024, following an MA in psychology from the same institution in 2020. She also holds a postgraduate certificate in gender and sexuality from the University of Amsterdam (2019), a postgraduate diploma in HIV management from Stellenbosch University (2017), a BAHons in psychology from UNISA (2015), and a BA in psychology from the University of Limpopo (2014).
Her appointment places one of the country's leading scholars in gender and public health research at the helm of a national body tasked with addressing one of the most urgent societal challenges in South Africa.
As the council assumes office at the start of Women's Month, President Ramaphosa said it is expected to leverage the classification of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster to challenge harmful attitudes and practices, advance women's economic empowerment, strengthen law enforcement and scale up survivor-centred support.
The NWU principal and vice-chancellor, Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, welcomed the appointment, describing it as a proud moment for the university.
"Dr Ramalepe's appointment as chairperson of the NCGBVF is a testament to her outstanding leadership, scholarship and unwavering commitment to advancing social justice. As the NWU, we are immensely proud that one of our academics has been entrusted with leading a national body tasked with addressing one of the most pressing societal challenges in South Africa,” he said.
"This appointment reflects the calibre of expertise in our university and reinforces the commitment of the NWU to producing knowledge and leaders who contribute meaningfully to society. We have every confidence that Dr Ramalepe will provide visionary leadership in guiding the work of the council to strengthen collaboration, influence evidence-based policy and support initiatives that create safer communities for all. We congratulate her on this well-deserved achievement and wish her every success in this important national responsibility."
Prof. Tyobeka added that Dr Ramalepe's appointment reflects the growing influence of NWU academics in shaping national policy and advancing evidence-based solutions to complex societal challenges. Her extensive academic credentials, combined with her research on vulnerable and marginalised communities, position her to lead the council in strengthening collaboration across the government, civil society, academia and communities.
As chairperson, she will play a pivotal role in guiding the national response to gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa, ensuring that research, policy and practice work together to protect survivors, prevent violence and build safer, more inclusive communities for all.
Dr Lebogang Mathibe Ramalepe
