Simangele Shakwane

Dr. Simangele Shakwane is a registered nurse, midwifery practitioner and health sciences educator. She obtained her BA in nursing sciences from UNISA in 2011, including her postgraduate qualifications (MA 2015 and PhD 2018). She is a senior lecturer in the Department of Health Studies at UNISA. She has developed a model for teaching intimate care to nursing students. She is currently doing a postdoctoral research project on implementing the mentioned model and collaborating with the National Research Foundation (NRF) for three years (2022-2024). She advocates for transformative knowledge of the touched body with emphasis on respect and integrity of the human body regardless of their diversity (gender, culture and religion). 

I want intimate care and touch to be included in the nursing curriculum and taught to nursing students in Nursing Education Institutions using humanistic intimate care simulations to improve quality nursing care of the body.   I want this because the human body needs to be touched with respect and dignity, regardless of gender, cultural and religious beliefs. Also, I want to eliminate misinterpretation and sexual harassment during intimate care encounters between nurses and patients. I can do this because my expertise in nurse education, humanistic intimate care simulation, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team strengthen cultural, religious and gender-informed care, negotiating for safe touched human bodies during intimate care by empowering nurse educators and nursing students. 

Dr. Simangele Shakwane is a 2023 Women Breakthrough Award Winner and participated at the Falling Walls Female Science Talents 2023 International Fall Gathering.