Public Squares Initiative
Welcome to Stellenbosch University


Early intervention and child mental health: A collaborative space for thinking from the health- and social sciences. 

This Public Square focuses on early intervention and child mental health in Africa. Much of the existing knowledge about this pertinent issue originates from mono-lingual, high-income countries. Through an Afro- centric lens, this Public Square will highlight the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges within the field in Africa. In collaboration with transdisciplinary academic and non-academic stakeholders, the core research team will generate knowledge and identify ways of engaging, supporting, and intervening in this context. It will also lead to the development of impactful research projects and accessible dissemination tools for local caregivers, clinicians, educators, practitioners, and policymakers.​


Faculty / School / Department represente​d: ​​

  • Child Psychiatry Unit​
  • Curriculum Studies
  • General Linguistics​
  • Human Nutrition​​
  • Divisions of Occupational Therapy​​​
  • Departments of Paediatrics and Child Health​
  • Physiotherapy​
  • Philosophy​​
  • Psychology​​
  • Division of Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy
  • Sociology and Social Anthropology​


Core Stellenbosch University Team: 

  • Ms Michaile Anthony ​​
  • Dr Zelda Barends​​
  • Prof Astrid Berg ​
  • Prof Juan Bornman​​
  • Dr. Marlette Burger ​​
  • Prof Bronwyne Coetzee​​
  • Prof Thomas Cousins (Univeristy of Oxford)
  • Dr. Gouwa Dawood​​
  • Dr Nicki Dawson (Ububele Educational and Psychotherapy Trust)
  • Dr Michelle du Plessis​
  • Dr Berna Gerber
  • Prof Graeme Hoddinott ​
  • Ms H Kruger​
  • Dr A. Lachman​
  • Ms Salisha Maharaj​​
  • Dr Ziyanda Majombozi​​
  • Dr Noreth Muller-Kluits​​
  • Dr Michelle Pentecsost (Kings College London)
  • Prof Fiona Ross (UCT)​
  • Prof Wiedaad Slemming (Children’s Institute, UCT)​​
  • Prof Tracey Smythe (SU and LSHTM
  • Dr Sylnita Swartz-Filies ​​
  • Dr Janke van der Walt 
  • Prof Evette van Niekerk
  • Dr Clara Wepener​​​

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