Dr Sibongile Mbatha
Paediatric and Child Development Specialist
Dr Sibongile Mbatha graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2005. During her undergraduate training, she developed a strong passion for paediatrics and went on to complete a Diploma in Child Health in 2008. She subsequently specialised in Paediatrics and was awarded her Fellowship in Paediatrics in 2013. During registrar training, she received the Avroy Fanaroff Prize, awarded annually to a senior registrar in recognition of excellence in the FC Paed examination, outstanding departmental performance, and a demonstrated willingness to assume additional responsibilities.
While working as a paediatrician, Dr Mbatha developed a particular interest in supporting children with diverse developmental needs to reach their full potential. This led her to sub-specialize in Developmental Paediatrics, qualifying as a developmental paediatrician in 2019. She currently serves as Clinical Head of Developmental Paediatrics at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Dr Mbatha is actively involved in research, with one first-author publication and six co-author publications. She supervises MMED and master's students and leads several of her own research projects. She also serves as a reviewer for the South African Medical Journal and the BMJ. Her academic contributions include undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and in 2019 she received the Safeline Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Neonatology Award for the best oral presentation in the young researcher category.
Within the Paediatric Department, she serves as a registrar coordinator and is a member of the Ethics team. She is also committed to community outreach and regularly participates in interviews to raise awareness and share knowledge on developmental conditions.
Dr Mbatha is passionate about advancing the field of Developmental Paediatrics-an essential yet often under-recognised area of child health. Beyond her professional work, she is a devoted wife and mother to two boys and remains deeply grateful for God's love and guidance throughout her journey.
