Dr Penelope Mathe

Dr Penelope Mathe embarked on her professional journey in social work by enrolling in the BA Social Work program at the University of South Africa. Upon completing her degree, Penelope joined the Soweto Hospice as a palliative care social worker. Her commitment to advancing her expertise in palliative care led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work, which she successfully completed in 2014 at North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus.

Her innovative work earned her opportunities to present her Master’s paper at both local and international palliative care conferences, where she was recognized for her significant contributions to the field. Dr Penelope Mathe currently works at Hospice Wits as a palliative care social worker. She contributes to palliative care discussions through her published articles.

Her work has been featured in the Association of Palliative Care Centres of South Africa and the International Journal on Psychosocial Palliative Care Issues. She completed her PhD in Social Work in 2024 where she developed a much-needed model to guide community health workers in ensuring that children with life-limiting illnesses can actively participate in decisions affecting their care.