02 December 2025
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Prof Deliwe Rene Phetlhu, newly appointed Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State.
The University of the Free State (UFS) is pleased to announce the appointment of
Prof Deliwe Rene Phetlhu as Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences from 1 January 2026.
Prof Phetlhu joins the UFS from the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, where she is currently the Head of the Department of Nursing. She holds a PhD in community nursing science and a master’s in health sciences (cum laude), both from the North-West University. She is an accomplished academic leader with 20 years of extensive experience in clinical practice, private health care, and academia, of which 15 years are in senior leadership and more than six years as head of department.
She is registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Registered Professional Nurse, Educator, Manager, and Community Health Specialist, and brings a wealth of expertise in strategic leadership, human capital management, financial oversight, leadership development, and research. Prof Phetlhu’s passion lies in fostering quality assurance, driving research initiatives, and empowering others through mentorship and professional growth.
As an accomplished educator, curriculum developer, and researcher, Prof Phetlhu has a proven track record in teaching and learning, successfully supervising master’s and PhD students. She thrives on building collaborative networks and has established strong partnerships across diverse sectors, both nationally and internationally.
“Prof Phetlhu’s appointment will not only bring proven leadership and academic depth but also align with the University of the Free State’s commitment to innovation, research, teaching-learning, and global excellence in health sciences. Her leadership has yielded measurable results in curriculum innovation, postgraduate training, quality assurance, and the expansion of international partnerships,” says
Prof Hester C. Klopper, University of the Free State Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
“I am highly honoured and grateful to be appointed to this position and to be part of the University of the Free State, and for the trust placed in me. I am looking forward to contributing to the growth of the Faculty of Health Sciences, while recognising the strength and expertise it has. As Maya Angelou said, ‘A leader sees greatness in others. You can't be much of a leader if all you see is yourself.’ I intend to embrace this statement and do my best to lead with integrity. I am excited about the journey that lies ahead,” says Prof Phetlhu.
Prof Phetlhu is a fellow of the Academy of Nursing in South Africa and has received leadership recognition awards from Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) from 2013 to 2017. Currently, she is Vice-Chairperson of the South African Nursing Council, a member of the Gauteng Department of Health Education and Training Policy Committee, and leader of the Quality Assurance Framework task group, as well as a member of the Research Portfolio Committee of FUNDISA. She has successfully secured multimillion-rand research grants and led large-scale operational programmes, including managing a R500 million TB initiative under the Global Fund.