Dr. Thabile Ndlovu

Dr. Thabile Ndlovu

Dr. Thabile Ndlovu is an esteemed chemist with a prolific academic and professional background, holding an MSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg. She began her academic journey with a BSc degree from the University of Swaziland, further enriching her expertise with a Postgraduate Diploma in Pesticide Risk Management from the University of Cape Town. This diploma provided her with a comprehensive understanding of various Chemical Conventions, including the Stockholm Convention, Basel Convention, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

Currently, Dr. Ndlovu serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Eswatini, where she has also held the position of Head of the Chemistry Department. Her commitment to the academic community is evident through her active involvement in several initiatives, including the production of sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheading the establishment of a sugar testing laboratory. Dr. Ndlovu's research interests encompass natural products and medicinal chemistry, as well as environmental chemistry, specifically focusing on chemical management, waste management, and climate change. Her dedication to these fields has led to her involvement in various significant projects, including conducting chemical inventories such as the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) inventory under the Stockholm Convention, hazardous waste inventory under the Basel Convention, and ozone-depleting substances (ODS) alternatives inventory under the Montreal Protocol. Additionally, she has contributed to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for the industrial processes and product use (IPPU) and waste sectors as well as worked on water and health adaptation projects. 

Dr. Ndlovu is currently serving her second term as a member of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC), the technical committee of the Stockholm Convention. She has also played a vital role in reviewing policy and legal frameworks for waste management and developing strategies and guidelines for pollution control in Eswatini. With a prolific academic output, Dr. Ndlovu boasts 17 published articles in peer-reviewed journals, underscoring her contributions to the fields of chemistry and environmental management. 

Her leadership extends beyond academia; she has served on several national committees, including as a board member for the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC), President of the Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Sciences (KEAS), Vice-Chair for the National Laboratory Association of Eswatini (NLAE), and is a member of the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) for the Global Fund, where she chairs the oversight committee. Dr. Thabile Ndlovu's extensive expertise and dedication to her field continue to inspire her colleagues and students alike, making her a prominent figure in the advancement of chemistry and sustainable practices in Eswatini and beyond.