Nonhlanhla Glory Mbenenge

I am an accomplished senior pathologist with a proven track record at the National Health Laboratory Services and extensive expertise in viral infections and diagnostic techniques. I am well-versed in diagnostic quality management systems that ensure accurate diagnoses, significantly enhancing patient care and treatment outcomes through advanced technology and leading quality assurance for laboratory accreditation. I excel in interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring, and I have a strong focus on teaching and training supported by evidence-based research that fosters staff development.

2023: Honors program student - Kosan Hussein [Completed]. Project: Validation of qualitative CMV PCR using urine samples collected for the routine screening of congenital cytomegalovirus.  

2024: Honors program student - Jotin Plaatjies [Completed]. Project: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antibodies among healthcare workers in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2021. 

2024: Honors program student - Ashley Ndlovu [Completed]. Project: Diversity of enteric viruses detected in stool samples of hospitalized patients in South Africa. 

• Bonolo Mashishi, Mzamo Mbelle and Nonhlanhla Glory Mbenenge. Screening and Diagnosis of Viral Hepatitis: The Basics for the Clinician and other Healthcare Workers. [Submitted for journal publication. 2025 January]
• Bhaveshan Reddy, Andiswa Simane, Hloniphile Mthiyane, Bonolo Mashishi, Nonhlanhla Mbenenge and Florette K. Treurnicht. Prevalence and Seasonal Patterns of 16 Common Viral Respiratory Pathogens during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Gauteng Province, South Africa, 2020–2021. Viruses. 2024;16:1325.
• Nonhlanhla Mbenenge, Kathleen Subramoney, Clement Gascua Adu-Gyamfi and Florette K. Treurnicht. Hepatitis B Virus Immunity Gap: A Six-Year Laboratory Data Review of Hepatitis B Serological Profiles in Gauteng Province, South Africa.Advances in Virology. 2023; vol. 2023, Article ID 6374874, 11 pages.
• Subramoney K, Mtileni N, Davis A, Giandhari J, Tegally H, Wilkinson E, Naidoo Y, Ramphal Y, Pillay S, Ramphal U, Simane A, Reddy B, Mashishi B, Mbenenge N, de Oliveira T, Fielding BC, Treurnicht FK. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein diversity at an intra-host level, among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals in South Africa, 2020 to 2022. PLoS One. 2023 May 30;18(5):e0286373.
• Subramoney K, Mtileni N, Bharuthram A, Davis A, Kalenga B, Rikhotso M, Maphahlele M, Giandhari J, Naidoo Y, Pillay S, Ramphal U, Ramphal Y, Tegally H, Wilkinson E, Mohale T, Ismail A, Mashishi B, Mbenenge N, de Oliveira T, Makatini Z, Fielding BC, Treurnicht FK; Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant using spike gene target failure and genotyping assays, Gauteng, South Africa, 2021. J Med Virol. 2022 Aug;94(8):3676-3684.
• Meiring S, Tempia S, Bhiman JN, Buys A, Kleynhans J, Makhasi M, McMorrow M, Moyes J, Quan V, Walaza S, du Plessis M, Wolter N, von Gottberg A, Cheryl Cohen C and the COVID-19 shedding study group (N Mbenenge). Prolonged shedding of SARS-CoV-2 at high viral loads amongst hospitalised immunocompromised persons living with HIV, South Africa. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2022.
• Jaye T, Mbenenge N, Schwartz S, Geel J, Parry J, Marques D, Sangweni B, Khumalo T, Levy C. Atypical presentation of COVID-19 in an adolescent renal transplant recipient. Journal of the Allergy Society of South Africa. 2021 September; Vol 34, No 3.
• Muthambi VM, Ndzeru KG, Mbenenge NG, Adu-Gyamfi CG. Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Elite Controller: A Case Report from Limpopo Province, South Africa. Journal of HIV and AIDS. 2021; Vol 7, No 1.
• Contributor to a book publication: Vaccine Information for Parents and Caregivers. 1st Edition. 2016 November. Centre for Vaccines & Immunology; National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Internet. Available online at: http://www.nicd.ac.za/assets/files/NICD_Vaccine_Booklet_D132_FINAL.pdf

• Mbenenge N, Simane A, Manene B, Subramoney K, Davis A, Treurnicht F. SARS-CoV-2 Specific Immune Responses in Healthcare Workers with and Without Confirmed Infection at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, 2020. Accepted for oral presentation at ASLM 2021 Conference, Johannesburg.
• Mbenenge NG, Simane A, Thaba CA. Abstract Title (3056618): The Impact of Centrifugation to the Reported Number of False Positive HIV Results. Accepted for poster display at the ASLM2018, Conference, Nigeria.
• Mbenenge NG, Manene B and Makgotloe A. Significance of virology laboratory testing as an adjunct for diagnosis of ocular viral infections: Case Report. Accepted for poster display at PathCape 2018, 56th International FSASP congress, Cape Town.
• Thaba CM and Mbenenge NG. Increased Rate of equivocal HIV results and Challenges encountered on serology instrument. Accepted for oral presentation at PathCape 2018, 56th International FSASP Congress, Cape Town.
• Mbenenge NG, Williams R, Howard W, Seakamela L, Gumede N, Suchard M. Molecular characterization of the 5’untranslated region of the Sabin polio viruses. Accepted for poster display at PathRed 2017 conference, Johannesburg, and accepted for oral poster presentation at PHASA 2017 conference, Indaba hotel, Johannesburg.

2022 – present: External moderator for SMLTSA Virology technologist and technicians examination

2021 - present: Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists of South Africa (SMLTSA) advisory committee

2021 – 2022: South African Immunology Society

2018 – Present: Member of the Virology Executive Committee

2017 – present: School of Pathology undergraduate committee member

2014 – present: Fellowship of the College of Pathologist in Virology

2005 – present: Southern African HIV Clinician Society

2001 – present: Health Professional Council of South Africa, Medical Practitioner

• Acting Head of Department, Virology Department, Faculty of Health Science, School of Pathology, Univ. of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
• Acting Virology laboratory manager, Virology Department, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), Johannesburg. 2024 December.
• Project Leader for the CMJAH Virology laboratory accreditation project plan. Virology Department. Laboratory SANAS accreditation awarded, 2021 December 10th
• Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church board member for Sandton SDA church, Sunninghill, Johannesburg. 2016-2018, 2024, 2025.
• Health Ministry Director for Sandton SDA Church, Sunninghill, Johannesburg. 2016-2018, 2024, 2025.

• Medical Missionary and an advocate for health and wellness living.
• Runner, 10, 21 and 42 km marathons
• Traveling

• Dr Florette Treurnicht (PhD), Principal Medical Scientist, Virology Department, School of Pathology, University of Witwatersrand. Phone number: 073 287 5708. E-mail: florette.treurnicht@nhls.ac.za.
• Mrs Cynthia A Thaba, Virology laboratory supervisor and SMLTSA Virology chairperson, Tshwane Academic Department of Virology, University of Pretoria. Phone: 060 825 9941. E-mail: cynthia.thaba@nhls.ac.za.
• Professor Johnny Mahlangu, Head of Department, Haematology, University of Witwatersrand. Phone number: 083 644 5659/ 011 489 8413. E-mail: johnny.mahlangu@nhls.ac.za.