Department of Health Studies

Dr RG Malapela

College of Human Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Department: Health Studies
Senior Lecturer
E-mail: emalaprs@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD Nursing (2018) 
  • Masters of Arts in Nursing Science (2015)
  • Honours Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies (Health Science Education and Health Service Management) 2013
  • Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science (Health Science Education and Health Service Management) 2003
  • Diploma in Nursing (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwifery (1997)

Currently teaching

HMA3702

Fields of academic interests

  • Adolescents health, intellectual disabilities
  • Mental health
  • Adolescent health
  • Nursing

Field of Specialisation

  • Nursing Education

  • Health Science Education and Health Service Management

Journal articles

  • Malapela, RG., Mfidi, FH & Thupayagale-Tshweneagae GB. (2017) ‘’ Caring for Adolescents with Profound Intellectual Disabilities: Approaches and Opportunities.” African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery.Vol. 19 (3). Published online 1 Dec 2017. https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/3858.

  • GC Sibande & Malapela RG: 2023.What’s holding back youth friendly health services in Blantyre Malawi? A qualitative exploration. African Journal of Reproductive health. Vol. 27(9):57-64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i9.6

    Baratedi WM, Malapela RG, & Tsima O.  2024. Acts of xenophobia among nurse educators. Heliyon. Vol. 10(3):E24825 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24825

  • Malapela, RG, Thupayagale-Tshweneagae, GB & Ibitoye, OF. (2020). Nurses’ perceived role on the transition of adolescents with intellectual disabilities into adulthood. AOSIS. AJOD African Journal of Disability. Published online 2020 Dec 14. doi: 10.4102/ajod.v9i0.674
  • Malapela, RG, Thupayagale-Tshweneagae, GB & Mashalla, Y (2020).  Transition of adolescents with intellectual disability from schools for learners with special educational needs: parents views for the preparedness. JARID Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual disabilities. Vol 33(6):1440-1447. Published online https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12771
  • Malapela RG & Thupayagale-Tshweneagae GB. (2020) Strategy for transitioning of adolescents with intellectual disabilities into adulthood. International Journal of Nursing Education. January-March 2020 Vol. 12(1): 111-113.

Book Chapter

  • Malapela RG & Thupayagale-Tshweneagae (2019). Transition possibilities for adolescents with intellectual disabilities into adulthood. IntechOpen. In book title Learning disabilities, neurological bases, clinical features & strategies of intervention. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.86684. ISBN: 978.1-83880-839.6. June 2020

Conference proceedings

  • Malapela RG & Thupayagale-Tshweneagae GB (2019). Transition of adolescents with intellectual disabilities into adulthood: caregivers’ experiences. 1-2. UNISA Press. https://booksup.co.za/index.php/unisapress/catalog/book/8 ISBN 978-1-77615-084-7 (Online) Local Innovation to Sustain Health for All 2019 | #8 | 67 pages.

Paper presentations

  • 2015: Oral presentation at Cullinan Care and Rehabilitation Centre for sharing of research findings..
  • 2015: Oral presentation at SG Lourens Nursing College Research Day.
  • 2016: Oral presentation at an International Nurses Research Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Conference.
  • 2018: Oral presentation at Annual Nursing Education Conference (ANEC)
  • 2018: Written presentation at Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) on 01 November 2018.
  • 2019: Oral presentation at the 6th Tshwane Research Conference on 31 July 2019
  • 2020: Webinar presentation at a World Health Care and Nursing (WHCN) held on 22 August 2020 in Greenwich, London from 14h00-20h00.
  • Poster presentation 2023
  • Malapela RG, Baratedi WM & Thupayagale-Tshweneagae GB: The use of home remedies for prevention and treatment of Coronavirus 19: An integrative review.  https://doi.org/10.54985/peeref.2306p3703876

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Senior Lecturer
  • Best presenter during 2019 Tshwane Research Conference proceedings

Projects

  • Teaching Health Care workers on stimulation program for individuals with intellectual disabilities

  • CA 80 School Health Integrated Project 2021 to date

    Women in Research project from 2023 to date

    Creation of a healthy environment for adolescents with intellectual disabilities from 2022 to date