Biography

Dr. Lungile N. Bhengu-Baloyi is married to Dr OSB Baloyi(medical) and is a mother. She is the founder and director at M&M Development and Social Justice Advocates, where her work includes policy analyses, human rights- ethics advocacy, social activism, governance, leadership coaching, poverty reduction and development strategy development, public health law practitioner and community nutrition. The choice of the field of study has been largely influenced by her burning desire to improve the lives of disadvantaged people and communities by influencing the policy and strategic direction of the government and to continue doing advocacy, promoting social justice. As a result she has contributed extensively towards policy development in South Africa. She has served as a sessional lecturer and external examiner. She has served as a consultant with UNICEF and various government departments and private sector. Her experience include the position of A technical advisor to the former Ministers of Health(nutrition) and Social Development, in the new democracy. As a member of the Planning Commission, she brings a lot of experience. An academic, social activist, public speaker, and social entrepreneur, Lungile has experience in developing and mentoring rural women’s micro-enterprises and credit unions. This she achieves by inculcating a culture of self-help and ‘I can’ attitude and by forming partnerships with business, commercial farmers, public service institutions and clothing industries to ensure market access and sustainability of the projects. Using her previous experience, she contributed extensively towards the development of the APEX fund(DTI). She has served (voluntarily)as a Commissioner for Poverty Hearings in KZN. In order to further advance the course of rural development, she co-founded (with rural women)and became the first chair of the IMBOKO-COMMUNITY RADIO STATION, which is currently managed by the youth. She continues to contribute towards personal development and building capacity in communities through her personal and organisational renewal(rebirth) seminars, dialogue, public speaking and her African Midwife Series books;(African Midwife=change agent and facilitator of self, other’s and organisational transformation or rebirth). Her work with youth in and out of school promoting reading and learning continues to inspire them. The ‘African Midwife’ message which promotes emotional, social and spiritual intelligence has reached out to schools, churches, corporate executives, government, legislature, academics, prisons and civil society in general, beyond the South African borders. Lungile was a finalist for the 2006 Shoprite Checkers/SABC2 Woman of the Year award in the social welfare category. She has served in the following statutory bodies: The Provincial Tender Board, National Agricultural Marketing Council, Statistics South Africa, and the Health Professional Council. She was deputy chair for the Maize Trust, chairperson of the AFSA Foundation. In partnership with Data Africa she developed the Economic Strategy of KZN. She is the Commissioner(KZN Planning Commission), DBSA, Non-Executive Director. Lungile published her first book, "African Midwife: Change Beyond Form" in 2010. The book was launched at Kwa Muhle museum in Durban on 4/30/10 and on Africa Day - 5/25/10 - as part of the African Rennaisance celebration at the international convention centre. She has documented and presented papers on her work experience at international and local congresses and conferences. Her qualification include a Diploma in nutrition, BSc in Dietetics, Post graduate university Diploma in adult education, Masters in social policy , LLM in public health law (includes introduction to law, international law, human rights environmental law, ethics, health policy planning and legislation, HIV/AIDS etc) and PhD in Administration(Policy Research). Dr Bhengu is a Fellow of the third class of the Africa Leadership Initiative-South Africa and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network; a Kellogg International Leadership Fellow.