EMS Acting Head earns NRF Y2 rating

The acting Head of the Emergency Medical Sciences Department, Dr Simphiwe Sobuwa, has earned a Y2 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF), marking a major milestone in his academic journey.

A Y-rating is allocated to promising young researchers, and Sobuwa said the acknowledgement was an honour.

 “It affirms the value of my contributions to research in emergency medical care and, more importantly, positions me to lead impactful, collaborative projects. It’s also a validation of years of work committed to both academic scholarship and real-world health system improvement. The rating opens new doors to funding, mentorship, and visibility that I intend to use to advance my research agenda and mentor emerging scholars in the field.”

 With firsthand experience as a frontline paramedic, Sobuwa is deeply aware of the pressures faced by emergency personnel.

“My research focus is centred on the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics, particularly in the context of South Africa’s complex and often under-resourced emergency care systems. I am also deeply interested in health workforce development, postgraduate education, and prehospital system strengthening.

“What drew me to this area is the disconnect I observed between the high expectations placed on paramedics and the limited support structures available to sustain their mental and emotional health. This gap has personal and professional relevance, having worked on the frontline myself, and I believe research in this space is both urgent and transformative.”

 A pivotal moment in shaping this research direction came during his Master’s research on prehospital airway management in traumatic brain injury.

“That project made me realise how limited the evidence base was for many of the decisions paramedics are forced to make in high-pressure environments. Another defining experience was my involvement in student support and curriculum development, which highlighted systemic issues affecting both learning and wellbeing. These experiences laid the foundation for my current focus on mental health, transition shock, and resilience among paramedics, particularly those early in their careers.”

Asked what attracted him to the field of Emergency Medical Care and who or what inspired him along the way, he replied: “Emergency medical care is fast-paced and high-stakes, and I’ve always been drawn to its intensity, urgency, and potential for impact.

“I am currently participating in the Future Professors Programme and have been inspired by some of the top-rated researchers that we have encountered such as Prof Jonathan Jansen, and my mentor, Prof Lehana Thabane, who publishes a minimum of 80 papers annually.”

In terms of his future goals, Sobuwa’s immediate goal is to lead a multi-institutional study on the mental health trajectories of paramedics in South Africa, including the development of a mental health support toolkit co-designed with practitioners.

“I’m also interested in comparative work across African EMS systems to understand how different contexts shape workforce wellbeing. I’d like to strengthen partnerships with mental health professionals, EMS services, and postgraduate researchers interested in health systems and workforce resilience. Ultimately, I want to build a research programme that is collaborative, policy-relevant, and grounded in the lived realities of frontline emergency care providers.”

Originally from Mthatha, the researcher enjoys regular gym sessions and has a passion for hiking. “I have done the Otter, Leopard, and Whale trails. I have also done several hikes in the Drakensberg and have summited Kilimanjaro.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za