Olona Sonaba
DIETITIAN
Johannesburg
Summary
Registered Dietitian and Master’s candidate with experience in clinical, community, and private practice settings. Expertise in weight management, chronic disease nutrition, and maternal and infant nutrition. Committed to promoting evidence-based nutrition education and developing accessible resources to counter influencer-led consumerism. Focused on empowering individuals and communities to make informed nutrition decisions and adopt sustainable health practices.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Locum Dietitian
MVHealth
2025.11 - Current
- Provided nutrition assessments & therapeutic meal plans to in-patients of Akeso Clinic with psychiatric conditions including, depression, mood disorders, eating disorders & substance abuse
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary team (psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, nursing staff) to ensure comprehensive and integrated patient care
- Conducted corporate wellness consultations at the Standard Bank Main Group Headquarters and at Bridgement-Business Loan company, focusing on weight management, chronic disease management and work-stress-related eating
Private Practicing
The Balance Plate dietitian
2025.03 - Current
- Individualized nutrition consultations and personalized meal plans for weight management and chronic disease nutrition management, plus baby nutrition at Smartcare Family Health Center Edenvale.
- Partnered with health and wellness brand NutriBullet to create baby nutrition-focused educational and promotional social media content.
Community service dietitian
Tambo Memorial Hospital
2024.01 - 2024.12
- Provided comprehensive clinical dietetic services across inpatient and outpatient settings, managing patients across the lifespan, from paediatric to adult and geriatric populations, within a tertiary hospital environment.
- Maintained accurate clinical documentation and followed professional, ethical and hospital-based protocols.
- Participated in multidisciplinary patient management and collaborated with medical, nursing and allied healthcare teams to support holistic patient care.
- Demonstrated initiative and strong organizational skills in developing and supporting health promotion events (Breastfeeding week & World Hypertension day) aimed at improving public nutrition knowledge and informed health decision-making.
Education
Bachelor's degree - Dietetics
University of Pretoria
Pretoria01.2023
Master of Dietetics -
University of Pretoria
Pretoria04.2028
High School Diploma -
Hudson Park High School
East London, South Africa01.2018
Skills
Medical nutrition therapy
Clinical dietetics
Dietary counseling
Weight management
Pediatric nutrition
Gastrointestinal nutrition
Enteral nutrition
Parenteral nutrition
Maternal nutrition
Nutritional education
Community nutrition
Public health promotion
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Timeline
Locum Dietitian
MVHealth
2025.11 - Current
Private Practicing
The Balance Plate dietitian
2025.03 - Current
Community service dietitian
Tambo Memorial Hospital
2024.01 - 2024.12
Bachelor's degree - Dietetics
University of Pretoria
Master of Dietetics -
University of Pretoria
High School Diploma -
Hudson Park High School