Lavhelesani Negondeni

He/Him

Is a public health researcher, nutritionist, lecturer, and advocate based in Limpopo. Originally from Sinthumule Vhangani village in the Vhembe District, he has spent over 15 years working across nutrition, epidemiology, and health systems research, focusing on child food poverty, early childhood nutrition, and health equity. His work combines research, advocacy, and community engagement to inform evidence-based nutrition education, policy, and sustainable interventions. He holds a BSc Honours in Nutrition from the University of Venda, Honours and Master’s degrees in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the University of Pretoria and completed Field Epidemiology training through the South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. He is currently a lecturer in the Department of Public Health at the University of Venda, teaching epidemiology and biostatistics, supervising postgraduate students, and leading research to strengthen health systems for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Lavhe has led numerous community-based nutrition initiatives across the Vhembe District, including food security and cash-crop gardens, the Mother Baby Friendly Initiative, and collaborations with World Vision to address malnutrition in children under five. He has facilitated multi-stakeholder dialogues involving health workers, traditional healers, and faith-based organisations to improve coordinated action on nutrition challenges. He has held leadership roles coordinating the Integrated Nutrition Programme and managing research data at UKZN Psychiatry Department. Lavhe envisions a socially just world where communities are empowered to overcome childhood nutrition deprivation through equitable, multisectoral, and sustainable interventions that promote health, dignity, and opportunity for all. Outside of work, he is a music enthusiast and enjoys singing.