Academic · Obesity Physician · Clinician-Scientist · Advocate
Dr Nomathemba
Chandiwana
BSc, MBBCh, MPH, Dip HIV Man, Dip Child Health, PhD (Cand.)
Obesity and weight-loss consultations for adults across South Africa, in person or by secure video.
Obesity is a disease, not a failure of willpower. I combine evidence-based obesity medicine with two decades of African clinical research to help people understand their metabolic health and treat it properly.
From R900 · 30 minutes · in person / video · Monday to Thursday, 09:30–16:00 SAST
20+
Years in medicine
1,963
Citations
18
h-index
Video
Consultations
Featured in Sunday Times · News24 · Channel 4 News · Bhekisisa · Spotlight
What I treat
Obesity Medicine
Medical assessment and treatment for overweight and obesity. Care may include GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide, support with appetite, and a long-term plan for weight health.
Metabolic & Cardiometabolic Health
Care for health risks linked to weight, including type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, fatty liver, and sleep apnoea.
Weight Gain on HIV Treatment
Care for weight and metabolic changes linked to HIV treatment, based on internationally recognised research in people living with HIV.
Women's Metabolic Health
Care for weight and hormone changes through different stages of life, with close attention to the needs of African women.
“Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease. Treating it well means treating the biology - not blaming the person.”
I am Chief Scientific Officer of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Cape Town. My research on weight, metabolism, and HIV treatment has helped shape local and international guidance. I also serve on global groups working to improve obesity care.
Read my full storyAs featured in
All media- Eyewitness News · August 2026Diabetes becomes SA's leading cause of natural death, Stats SA data reveals
- Spotlight · July 2026People with HIV are living longer but have fewer years of good health - new guidelines aim to change that
- Sunday Times · August 2025Dr Nomathemba Chandiwana battles obesity, SA's new HIV epidemic
- Wits University · 2025Alumni spotlight: Dr Nomathemba Chandiwana
- News24 · March 2024Obesity and HIV: semaglutide should be rolled out in SA
- Spotlight · June 2023Taking a spoon to a knife fight: is SA ready for rising obesity rates?
Ready to treat your weight as the medical condition it is?
Thirty-minute consultations in person or by secure video, Monday to Thursday. Book online.
See available times