Academic Profile

Dr Charity Ngoatle is a distinguished South African academic and healthcare professional, currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Nursing and Public Health at the University of Fort Hare, Faculty of Health Sciences. She holds a PhD in Health Sciences (Nursing) from the University of Limpopo, with a research focus on health literacy, midwifery, chronic disease management (non-communicable diseases), and patient adherence to treatment. With over 15 years of experience in clinical nursing, higher education, and postgraduate supervision, Dr Ngoatle has significantly contributed to nursing education and research in South Africa. Her academic qualifications include a Master of Nursing Science (UL), Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management (CPUT), Diploma in Nursing education (NMU) and a Bachelor of Nursing Science (UL). She is also an accredited Assessor and Moderator by the South African Nursing Council. Dr. Ngoatle’s career spans significant roles in both academia and clinical practice. Prior to her current position, she served as a Lecturer at the University of Limpopo and Limpopo College of Nursing, building extensive experience in teaching and learning within a university context. Her practical experience as a Professional Nurse and Midwife with the Department of Health further enriches her academic contributions. Dr. Ngoatle’s teaching portfolio includes a diverse range of modules such as General Nursing and Professional Practice, Nursing Administration and Clinical Teaching, Research Methodology, and Fundamentals of Nursing Science. A prolific researcher, Dr. Ngoatle’s work is recognized in SAPSE-accredited journals. Her research interests are primarily centered on health literacy, diabetes mellitus management, NCDs, midwifery, indigenous health practices, and nursing education challenges. Key publications include studies on the interpretation of prescribed medication instructions by diabetes mellitus patients, challenges faced by learner nurses during clinical exposure, and the role of quality reviews in implementing health sciences programmes. She has also authored a chapter in an academic book focusing on the “Importance of Health Literacy Related to Medications”. Her citation metrics stand at an h-index of 5 and an i10-index of 2. She has presented original research at major national conferences and serves as a peer reviewer for several international journals, including MDPI, AOSIS, and BMC. Dr Ngoatle is listed as an external assessor with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, University of Namibia and the University of Venda. She actively contributes to postgraduate education by reviewing master’s and doctoral proposals and providing research mentoring and coaching to colleagues and students. As a dedicated supervisor, she has successfully graduated two Master’s students, with several other Master’s and PhD candidates in progress. Committed to continuous professional growth, Dr. Ngoatle has participated in numerous workshops, including those on mixed-method research, grant application writing, thesis presentation, and community engagement. Her community involvement extends to organizing mental health awareness initiatives and contributing to various university committees, demonstrating her dedication to holistic academic and societal development. Dr. Charity Ngoatle is open to collaborative partnerships and research engagements in the fields of public health nursing, non-communicable diseases, health literacy, indigenous health practices, and advanced research methodologies, with the aim of expanding her contribution to the health sciences sector.