ASIPHE Ketelo's journey is a testament to resilience.
Nominated for the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Youth Month 2025 Campaign, Asiphe is a project leader at the Gender and Health Research Unit (GHRU) of the SAMRC and is on the path to becoming a scientist.
Her vital work focuses on public health and gender-based violence (GBV) research.
Asiphe's commitment to addressing critical societal issues shines through her research into GBV, femicide, injury mortality, and male victimisation.
Since 2020, she's significantly contributed to impactful studies, notably leading data collection for two national femicide surveys (2022, 2024) - landmark studies that have profoundly influenced national policy.
Beyond her research, Asiphe mentors resilient teams in the demanding field of GBV.
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She's also pursuing a PhD on women's use of violence against male partners, an under-researched area crucial for informing future interventions.
Born in rural Mthatha, Eastern Cape, Asiphe (34) was raised by her grandmother after losing her mum at the young age of 13.
Her gogo, who supported a family of 15 on a modest bakery salary, instilled in Asiphe a deep love for education.
"She didn't go far in her education but wanted us to be different from her and embrace education as it was going to be the only weapon to root us out of poverty," she said.
Asiphe is proud that her gogo saw her nearing graduation with her BSc in Environmental Studies before she passed away.
"It was not easy growing up in the villages, but when I got a chance to study, I used it to the fullest," said Asiphe.
The SAMRC proudly celebrates Youth Month 2025 by recognising exceptional young researchers, technologists, scientists, and health professionals like Asiphe, who drive innovation and shape the future of health research in Mzansi.
