OHSC BOARD
The OHSC functions under the control of a Board appointed by the Minister of Health under the National Health Amendment Act of 2013. The Board is the accounting authority of the entity and is responsible for determining the policy of the OHSC and undertaking strategic planning for the functions of the office.
The Act specifies that the Board should consist of seven to twelve members. Most members are selected based on specific expertise and experience in various areas of healthcare, the law, finance and economics, private and public healthcare, and quality assurance. One member represents organised labour and one is a representative of civil society organisations.
The Minister makes the final selection of members from individuals nominated by institutions of higher learning, civil society organisations, trade unions and other organisations in response to adverts in the Government Gazette and the national press. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the OHSC are ex officio members of the Board.
Dr Ernest Kenoshi (Chairperson)
Dr. Kenoshi is a highly qualified healthcare professional with extensive experience in hospital management, human resource management, financial management and healthcare governance. He is a dedicated healthcare professional who has made a significant impact on the healthcare sector in South Africa. Dr. Kenoshi holds a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a major in Hospital Management from the University of Witwatersrand.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., Ch. B) from the University of Natal, DTM & H from the University of Witwatersrand, Advanced Certificate in Healthcare Management from the University of Pretoria, and a Certificate in Improving the Quality of Health Services from Harvard University. He started his career as a medical doctor before moving into hospital management. He has held several senior positions in healthcare, including Business Development Consultant/Manager and Hospital Manager at Clinix Health Group, Chief Operations Officer at Clinix Health Group, and Chief Executive Officer at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.Dr. Kenoshi has contributed to healthcare through his publications and involvement in professional organisations. He co-authored a chapter in the book “South African Health Reform: Moving Towards Universal Coverage”, which was published in May 2015. He was also appointed by the National Department of Health as a member of the National Organizing Committee for the 40th International Hospital Federation Conference in Durban in 2016. Dr. Kenoshi was appointed Acting Head of the Gauteng Department of Health by the Premier of Gauteng from February 2017 to February 2018.
Dr Reno Morar (Vice-Chairperson)
Dr Morar is currently the Head and Director of the School of Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha. He is a specialist in Public Health and an executive coach. Dr. Morar holds a medical degree (MBChB) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and postgraduate qualifications in public health (MMed Public Health Medicine, University of Cape Town (UCT), and Fellowship of the University of Public Health Medicine of South Africa).
Prof Rajesh Mahabeer
Prof Rajesh Mahabeer is an experienced Chartered Professor and business leader with 44 years of experience in business, including 25 years at C-suite – level in large and complex organisations. He applies systems thinking in developing his solutions. He holds an M. Com degree in Leadership Studies (Systems Thinking) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and an MBA degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and an MBA degree from the University of Derby in England.
He is currently pursuing his PhD in Wits. Professor Mahabeer has worked in several companies as CEO, CFO and COO. The CEOs and Boards he has worked with describe him as results-oriented, technically savvy, and strategically astute.
He is a proven expert in restructuring and growth.Professor Mahabeer has extensive experience in the financial transformation of troubled companies into viable businesses, as demonstrated by the recent successful restructuring of Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) and South African National Parks (SANParks).
Professor Mahabeer advises companies in South Africa and abroad through Trilord Consulting (Pty), where he is the Chief Executive Officer. He supports his clients’ senior management and advises them in the areas of corporate loss prevention, restructuring, capital advisory and growth strategy. He is a skilled negotiator who assists his clients in managing sensitive and complex matters.
Professor Usuf Chikte
Professor Chikte is a South African dental practitioner and academic who has extensive experience in health policy formulation, financial management, regulatory affairs, and professional ethics. Professor Chikte obtained his BChD degree from the University of the Western Cape. He completed postgraduate training in community dentistry at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and obtained a Mdent degree.Johannesburg, and obtained a Mdent degree.Johannesburg, and obtained a Mdent degree.
He received an MSc from University College London and completed a PhD at the University of Stellenbosch.
Professor Chikte has held numerous academic and leadership positions throughout his career. He was a principal dentist in Cape Town, South Africa, and London, United Kingdom, and a clinical dental officer in the Department of Health in South Africa. He was also a registrar and later a specialist in community dentistry at the University of the Witwatersrand.Professor Chikte served as the chief specialist, professor, and executive head of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University.
In this position, he oversaw five centres/units and nine disciplines, including community health, family medicine and primary care, emergency medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, human nutrition, centre for rehabilitation studies, speech-language and hearing therapy, and nursing. He was also responsible for the budget of the Dental School and served as the Chair of the Finance and Investment Portfolio of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).Professor Chikte has played a significant role in health policy formulation in South Africa. He assisted in drawing up the National Oral Health Policy and served as the chairperson of the National Fluoridation Committee appointed by the National Minister of Health.
He has also demonstrated his negotiating and conflict resolution skills during the political transition period at national, provincial, and regional levels.Professor Chikte has served on various councils and regulatory, academic, and professional bodies. He has been an executive member of the Medical and Dental Professions Board and served as the Chair of the Dental Examinations Committee, the Committee for Disciplinary Enquiries in Dentistry (Prelim Dent), the Tariff Committee, and the Standard Generating Bodies (SGB).He has also chaired both the Education and Training Committees (ETQA) and Finance Investment and Tariffs Committees. He serves on the Senate of Stellenbosch University, Western Cape College of Nursing, and formerly on the Senate of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. He has served as a Council Member of the Western Cape College of Nursing and Hospital Facilities Board (Tygerberg Hospital). He currently serves as the chairperson of the National Fluoridation Committee and has held positions as the President of the South African Dental Association, President of the College of Dentistry, and Registrar of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. He was also the Editor of the South African Dental Journal.
Prof Lilian Dudley
Professor Dudley is a Specialist in Public Health Medicine, Emeritus Associate Professor and former Head of the Division of Health Systems and Public Health in the Department of Global Health at Stellenbosch University (SU), South Africa. She holds special qualifications in medicine – BSc Med Micro, MBChB, DCH, MSc (LSHTM), FCPHM and a PhD.
Professor Dudley has held leadership roles in health policy, planning and implementation at national and international levels over three decades. Her research has focused on health systems strengthening and quality of care, particularly in tuberculosis and HIV, health information systems, capacity development of health workers and managers in LMICs, and synthesis of research findings. This included several international collaborations funded by the EU, NIH, CDC and PEPFAR. At SU, she established new postgraduate training programmes in public health, health systems research, and healthcare leadership and management, and led the renewal of public health teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum.Prior to her time at SU, she was Chief Executive Officer of the Health Systems Trust (HST), a leading national health NGO in South Africa, and worked for several years as a senior health executive in local and provincial government.
She has served on various national committees, including chairing a panel of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) to review the management of the South African health system, as a member of the National Lancet Commission on Quality Health Systems, as past president of the Epidemiological Society of SA (ESSA), the TB Alliance DOTS Support Association (TADSA) and as founding president of the Public Health Association of SA (PHASA). She has served on the board of the Health Information Systems Program (HISP) and was a member of the Council for Public Health Medicine of South Africa and Chairperson of the Medical Management sub-division.
Professor Dudley is a member of the TDR Scientific Working Group and the Committee on Postgraduate Training. She was a Fellow of the Takemi International Health Program, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, with which she remains associated, and has served on international committees, including the WHO committees on tuberculosis, primary health care and health systems research. Her key strengths lie in translating her strong technical skills and experience in public health into policy and practice through strategic leadership of teams and organizations at national and international levels.
Dr.Adv.Maria Peenze
Dr. Adv. Peenze is an expert in law and corporate governance with a wealth of experience in various fields. She has had a distinguished career working in various capacities in both the private and public sectors. She has served on various boards, risk and audit committees and is a practicing advocate. Johannesburg, and obtained a Mdent degree.Johannesburg,
Dr. Adv. Peenze obtained her Baccalaureus Legum and Baccalaureus Iuris from the University of the Free State (UFS), both with Cum Laude. She earned her Magister Legum in Human Rights, also from the UFS. She subsequently earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Central University of Technology in the Free State. In addition, Dr. Adv. Peenze is a certified fraud examiner, having obtained her certification from the International Association of Fraud Examiners (New York). She completed the Africa Directors Programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School and the Ethics in the Public Service course at the National School of Government (South Africa).She was also the Ombudsman of the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Her other notable positions include Chief Executive Officer of the Public Protector South Africa and Deputy Director General of the National Department of Transport. She was also head of the Legal Services at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).In addition to her professional activities, Dr. Adv. Peenze is actively involved in governance, management, and community activities. She is currently a part-time member of the National Consumer Tribunal and a non-executive director of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, the Road Accident Fund of South Africa and the Office of Health Standards Compliance. She is also a director of Aviva Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd and a committee member of the Legal Practise Council in Gauteng. Dr. Adv. Peenze is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and a practicing attorney at the High Court of South Africa. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors of Southern Africa.
Dr. Adv. Peenze has in the past served as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Department of Defence and as a member of the Central Johannesburg TVET Council. She was also a non-executive director of So-Ja Share Block Scheme (Pty) Ltd, a member and chairperson of the Risk Committee of the Limpopo Department of Finance and a member of the Free State Society of Advocates.
Prof Mohambry Chetty
Professor Chetty is a licensed Specialist Family Physician. He was appointed to the technical working group of the National Health Insurance (NHI) [GP contracts] in South Africa. Prof. Chetty has received several awards for his leadership in the healthcare sector. These awards include the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) Titanium Award for leadership in healthcare and Discovery Health Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in quality of care.Johannesburg, and obtained a Mdent degree.Johannesburg
He was also elected to the International Academy of Quality and Safety (IAQS) and as an expert of the International Society for Quality Healthcare (ISQua). Professor Chetty holds a medical degree (MBChB) from the University of Natal, M Fam Med (Natal), FCFP (SA), MPH (USA), DTM&H (Wits), DOH (Wits), DHSM (Natal), PhD Honoris Causa (NMU). He completed his MPH degree in the USA. Professor Chetty is Deputy Chairman of SAMCC, Chairman of the IPA Foundation of SA and Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Doctors Healthcare Coalition. He is a visiting professor at the Department of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology.Professor Chetty was awarded the Fullbright–Humphrey Scholarship to the USA in 1993–1994. He was awarded the Fellowship of Family Physicians – FCFP(SA) by the University of Medicine of SA in 2013. He also completed his PhD at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. In 2018, he was appointed Interim Chairperson of the African Health Federation – South Africa.
Professor Chetty has written two books on managed care, regularly speaks at national and international conferences and writes for the Medical Chronicle.
Ms Ritta Msibi
Ms Msibi has worked in various healthcare facilities in South Africa. She has several qualifications in nursing and healthcare management, a National Higher Diploma as a Registered Nurse in General Practise, Midwifery, Psychiatry and Community Health from Bonalesedi Nursing University, a National Diploma in Primary Healthcare from the University of KwaZulu-Natal a National Diploma in Unit Management from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Ms Palesa Santho
Ms Santho is a highly qualified and experienced pharmacist from South Africa. She completed her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at the University of the North. She obtained a Business Management Diploma from the University of North-West. Ms Santho has extensive work experience spanning over two decades. She began her career in 2000 as an intern at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
Later, she served as a Pharmacy Manager at Group 4 Maximum Security Prison in Bloemfontein. She joined the Free State Department of Health as Deputy Director for ARV Pharmaceutical Services. She held this position until February 2017, when she left to pursue other opportunities.Ms Santho worked as a locum pharmacist at Clicks and Medi-Rite pharmacies. She became the Pharmacy Owner and Responsible Pharmacist of San2med Pharmacy in Bloemfontein. She has been managing the pharmacy since then. Additionally, she is a Temp Research Pharmacist at FARMOVS Pty Ltd.
Ms Santho has been actively involved in clinical trial research in recent years. She has participated in clinical trials for indications such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma/COPD, ADHD, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria, HIV, and Leukemia, among others. She has played the role of a Research Pharmacist in these trials.
Ms Santho is a member of various pharmacy councils and committees. She was the Chairperson of the South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (Free State/Northern Cape Branch) from 2006 to 2010. She was also a member of the South Africa Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and served as the Chairperson of the Committee of Informal Inquiry (SAPC). Ms Santho was a member of the South African Nursing Council and the Free State Private Facilities Licensing Advisory Committee from 2014 to 2017. She was also a member of the Executive Council of South African Community Pharmacists, a sector of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa. Ms Santho’s extensive experience, coupled with her participation in clinical trials research, makes her a highly competent pharmacist capable of conducting clinical trials and contributing to the advancement of medicine.
Mr Anele Yawa
Mr Yawa is a General Secretary and Human Rights Activist. He participated in many campaigns advocating for constitutional and human rights, social justice, and equality for all irrespective of gender, colour, creed, nationality, or class. As the General Secretary of the TAC, he plays a critical role in fostering communication and diligence.
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He ensures accurate and sufficient documentation and continuity of policies, provides advice and resources to the board on governance issues, and assists in fulfilling fiduciary duties. Mr Yawa sits on the TAC’s board of directors, and SANAC TB steering committee, and is part of the PLHIV Sector TB Task team and the Chief Accounting Officer of a Project called Ritshidze, a consortium of five organisations. He has served in the Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality as a proportional representative councillor, where he has stepped down to commit himself full-time to the TAC to date.
Ms Sizeni Mchunu
Ms Mchunu is a well-respected figure in the field of nursing education and administration who began her nursing career in 1979 as a professional nurse in clinical practice at Gelukspan Hospital. She subsequently worked at McCord Hospital in Durban as a professional nurse in clinical practice, and at St. Mary’s Hospital in Mariann Hill as a senior professional nurse in teaching..</span >
During this time, Ms Mchunu also obtained a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Nursing Science with a specialization in Nursing Administration/Management and Community Health Nursing. She was appointed as a lecturer at the University of Zululand. During this time, she also obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Nursing Education and a Bachelor of Honours Degree in Nursing Science with a specialization in Education, both from the University of South Africa.
Ms Mchunu joined the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as Executive Manager of the Professional Affairs Division, Education & Training Assurance & Development Department. She was subsequently promoted to Deputy Registrar: Professional Practice, and then to Registrar: Professional Practice Acting Registrar. She was appointed by the Minister as Interim Registrar in the absence of the Registrar. Ms Mchunu was then appointed as Deputy Registrar: Professional when she became Director of Nursing in the Chief Nursing Officer’s office at the National Department of Health. Ms Mchunu returned to the SANC as Interim Registrar, before being appointed as Registrar & CEO. She served in this position until her contract ended and retirement.
In addition to her nursing qualifications and experience, Ms Mchunu has also obtained several non-nursing diplomas and certificates, including a Diploma in Advanced Basic Education and Training from McCord Hospital in Durban and a Certificate in Community Development from the University of South Africa.
Throughout her career, Ms Mchunu has been committed to improving nursing education and practice in South Africa. She has been actively involved in several professional organizations and has served on various committees and boards. Her contributions to the nursing profession have been widely recognised, and she has received numerous awards and accolades for her work.
Dr Guin Lourens
Dr Lourens embarked on her journey in the nursing realm with an unwavering commitment to excellence. She specialises in quality healthcare and risk management, occupational health, health professions/nursing education, and organisational development. Dr. Lourens began her journey as a Professional Nurse at Pathcare from January to June 1992. ………………………….</span >
Her dedication and skills led her to serve as a Senior Professional Nurse at the Western Cape Department of Health from July 1992 to June 1995. Subsequently, from July 1995 to June 1997, Dr. Lourens embraced the role of a Senior Professional Nurse specialising in comprehensive mobile health services at Boland District Municipality. Her influence extended to the mentorship of primary healthcare students, ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare to remote areas.
Eager to expand her horizons, Dr. Lourens transitioned to Senior Professional Nurse: Training from August 1997 to August 2000, facilitating training workshops and clinical skill assessments in Boland District Municipality. In September 2000, she embarked on a new chapter at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) as a Lecturer and Project Manager. Over the next five years, she effectively managed and lectured in nursing management, primary healthcare, and occupational health nursing. Her role extended to spearheading a national TB/HIV outreach training program for higher education institutions.
Dr. Lourens’ impactful journey continued as she assumed the role of Assistant Director of Quality Management and Project Management and Occupational Health Nursing Portfolio at Western Cape Government Health from January 2006 to May 2012. From June 2012 to April 2016, she took on the position of a Manager at the Centre for Rural Health at Stellenbosch University. Transitioning to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, Dr. Lourens served as a Clinical Training Platform Manager, managing the operational implementation of distributive health sciences education. She also excelled as a Lecturer and Programme Leader in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery from June 2015 to July 2019, showcasing her dedication to nursing education.
Dr. Lourens’ exceptional contributions extended to her role as a Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University’s Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health from December 2019. Dr. Lourens has been serving as the National Nursing Manager at Evergreen Health since August 2019 and continues in this role to the present date. Throughout her journey, Dr. Lourens demonstrated a deep commitment to education, earning various qualifications, including a Ph.D. in Public Healthcare Management and a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Her pursuit of knowledge further led her to attain certifications in quality management, nursing education, and health services management.