Professor Nomafrench Mbombo hails from Mdantsane township in East London, Eastern Cape. Before entering into politics, she was an associate professor at the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape.
She holds a Ph.D. in the area of Gender and Human Rights (UWC), master’s in Maternal & Child Health (UKZN) and a bachelor’s in Nursing Science (UFH). She previously worked in provincial and local government health departments in the Eastern Cape and KZN respectively.
Before her appointment to the role of Western Cape Minster of Health, she was the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs & Sport.
A scholar and community activist, Nomafrench has worked and collaborated with different stakeholders provincially, nationally, across Africa and globally; engaging communities, civil society, governments, parliamentarians and professional bodies to amplify the voices of populations at risk – particularly pregnant and rural women.
She has also served in different organisations as a member, advisor and consultant in various ministerial committees such as the National Committee of Confidential Enquiries on Maternal Death, NEPAD, and the UN Office of Human Rights: Women & Gender Directorate.