Dr. Ntlotleng Mabena

Is a public health clinician, an academic, and a social justice and social medicine activist. In addition to their medical degree, they have a Masters in Public Health, a Diploma in HIV Management, a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, a Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Forensic Medicine, and a Graduate Certificate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Policy and Practice from George Washington University, USA. Ntlotleng was born and raised in Mamelodi, a township in Tshwane, South Africa. Their passion lies in working with marginalised women and helping to ensure that all women, especially those at the margins of society, have access to quality primary healthcare services. They currently work with the Networking HIV & AIDS Community of Southern Africa as the Gender-Based Violence Technical Specialist, ensuring that the health system, including healthcare workers, is appropriately trained and equipped to provide services to survivors with dignity and compassion. They also run their own organisation, Open House Initiative, where they provide psychosocial support to young queer females and assist them in leading productive lives. Ntlotleng describes themselves as an intersectionalist, working to transform people from where they are currently and to spark the desire to identify this true purpose and follow that dream.