Ms. Mulalo Mudau
Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
+2
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Academic Career Length
5Years (2022-Present)
(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)
Representative Publications
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Journal Article
AMArinao Murei
Arinao MureiBMBarbara Mogane
Barbara Mogane
Dikeledi Prudence MothibaOMOpelo Tlotlo Wryl Mochware
Opelo Tlotlo Wryl Mochware
Jeridah Matlhokha Sekgobela
Maggy Ndombo Benteke Momba +4
The implementation of water and sanitation safety plans (WSSP) has the potential of greatly improving the challenge of resource-limited drinking-water supplies. However, the most effective tool to make WSSP successful is understanding of the factors that contribute to hindering the implementation of these plans, specifically in rural communities. This study therefore aimed at assessing the status of basic services and determining the factors that contribute to hampering the process of WSSP in rural communities. A survey was conducted between March 2020 and March 2021 in rural communities of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The overall results indicate that poverty, unemployment, lack of access to purified water, and inadequate sanitation facilities have resulted in waterborne diseases reported within the communities and have a major impact in hindering WSSP. Other barriers observed are inequality regarding financial power, absent and degrading water and sanitation infrastructures, and lack of protection and maintenance of natural water sources. Therefore, there is a need for community members to be educated on proper behavior and perceptions towards sanitation, including working hand-in-hand with different stakeholders, men and women from communities, and different cultures and religions to overcome these barriers, so that human disease associated with water supply, wastewater reuse, and sanitation in rural communities can be alleviated.
Journal Article
Mulalo MudauRNRenay Ngobeni-Nyambi
Renay Ngobeni-NyambiMaggy Ndombo Benteke MombaAccess to clean and safe drinking water still remains a major challenge in the developing world, causing public health risks in terms of waterborne infections, especially in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to track and detect enteric pathogens (Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium str. LT2, Shigella flexneri, and Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni) in rural water sources. It also sought to establish a correlation between these pathogens and the sources of faecal pollution. Multiplex qPCR and specific primers and probes were used for detection and tracking. The study successfully correlated the occurrence of target pathogens with sources of human and animal faecal contamination using host-specific genetic markers (BacHum and HF183 for humans, BacCow for cows, Pig-2-Bac for pigs, Cytb for chickens, and BacCan for dogs). The study revealed that enteric pathogens were found in 47.69% and 32.80% of samples during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. These pathogens were associated with human or animal faecal contamination. Correlations between pathogens and contamination sources were significant (p ≤ 0.05), with varying strengths during the wet and dry seasons. The findings emphasize the importance of identifying faecal contamination sources to protect rural communities from waterborne infections.
Journal Article
Mulalo MudauRNRenay Ngobeni-Nyambi
Renay Ngobeni-NyambiMaggy Ndombo Benteke MombaIt is critical to attribute faecal contamination to its original source in order to assess public health risks and implement effective interventions to mitigate future contamination. This study aimed to identify the primary sources of faecal contamination in water using microbial source tracking markers in water-stressed rural communities. A total of 1128 water samples were collected sequentially from the main source (river/borehole) to the households. Six host-specific genetic markers were used to detect faecal contamination in the water samples (BacHum and HF183, BacCow, Pig-2-Bac, Cytb and BacCan). Of the 564 water samples tested during the wet season, 37.94% (n = 214) were positive for human and animal-specific Bacteroidales marker genes, while 31.73% (n = 179) of the 564 tested during the dry season were also positive. During the wet season, animal faecal contamination was more prevalent among the positive samples (Cytb: 20.56%, n = 44; BacCan: 19.16%, n = 41). By contrast, human-origin faecal contamination was dominant during the dry season (BacHum: 23.46%, n = 42; HF183: 21.23%, n = 38). Identifying the origin of faecal contamination will assist in implementing targeted intervention strategies for the effective prevention of pathogen transmission in water-stressed rural communities in order to protect public health.
About Me
Mudau Mulalo is a researcher and doctoral candidate in Chemical Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology , South Africa. Mudau holds a master’s degree in Water Science and Technology, a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Microbiology, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology.
Mudau’s research interests span water quality, environmental microbiology, wastewater treatment, renewable energy, resource recovery, and environmental sustainability. Previous research has focused on drinking-water quality, microbial contamination, waterborne pathogens, and the identification of potential sources of faecal and microbial contamination in water systems.
Currently pursuing a Doctor of Engineering (DEng) in Chemical Engineering, Mudau’s doctoral research focuses on the bioconversion of lignocellulosic organic waste for enhanced biogas production. The research explores anaerobic digestion, feedstock pre-treatment and co-digestion, process enhancement using conductive materials, microbial community dynamics, and predictive modelling to improve biogas production and promote the sustainable utilization of organic waste.
Through multidisciplinary research integrating microbiology, water science, environmental biotechnology, and chemical engineering, Mudau aims to contribute to sustainable waste management, renewable energy development, water resource protection, and the advancement of circular economy solutions in South Africa and beyond.