Professor Ames Dhai is Founder and Past Director of the Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics at the Wits
Faculty of Health Sciences (2007 – 2019), Professor of Bioethics and Health Law at the Wits School of
Clinical Medicine and member of the Academy of Science South Africa (ASSAf). She is immediate
past Chairperson of the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee and immediate past Vice Chair
of the Board of the SA Medical Association.
Some of her current activities include: Chairperson of the SAMRC Bioethics Advisory Panel; Chair of
the Human Sciences Research Council Research Ethics Committee, Chair of the South African
National Blood Services Research Ethics Committee, Chair of the ASSAf Biosafety and Biosecurity
Committee; Chair of SAMA’s Health Policy, Law and Ethics Committee, and Education, Science and
Technology Committee; member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Unrelated Organ
Transplants and member of the Advisory Committee to the SA Law Commission Project on
Criminalisation of Medical Negligence.
Her past roles include: Vice-Chair on the Ministerial Advisory
Committee for COVID-19 Vaccines where she headed the Technical Working Group on Mandatory
Vaccinations; two terms as Deputy Chair of the National Health Research Ethics Council, member of
the Board of the Health Professions Council of SA and member on several consensus panels of the
ASSAf, including the ASSAf Panel on Gene Therapies and Gene Editing ELSI. She has served as
consultant and contributor towards international policy on organisations including the World
Medical Association, the World Health Organisation, Council for International Organisations of
Medical Sciences and UNESCO. She is Editor-in-chief of the South African Journal of Bioethics and
Law and Acting Editor of the South African Medical Journal. She is a mediator with international
accreditation through the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, UK. Professor Dhai is a leading
authority in Bioethics both internationally and locally, and can be credited with entrenching
bioethics and human rights as an integral aspect of health sciences in SA. Using an academic
platform, Professor Dhai has taken a lead in health advocacy and activism. She has published
extensively and has authored several books in this field. Professor Dhai graduated as a medical
doctor and specialised as an obstetrician and gynaecologist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She
thereafter moved into the disciplines of bioethics and health law.
Dr Farina is Head Clinical Department Anaesthesia and critical care in the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Hospital Complex. His interests in anaesthesia are in training with rural outreach. His personal interests are History and Genealogy.
Professor Dirk Hagemeister is a Principal Family Physician and Associate Professor at the University of the Free State (UFS), where he combines his clinical expertise with academic leadership. He obtained his Dr.med. qualification in Nephrology from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and holds a Master of Public Health from the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
In South Africa, Prof Hagemeister has furthered his credentials by earning a Diploma in HIV Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Research Ethics, a Diploma in Anaesthetics, and a PhD in Health Science Education from UFS. Since 2006, he has been actively engaged in clinical and academic roles across various provinces, with the past ten years dedicated to his joint appointment in the Department of Family Medicine in Bloemfontein.
A committed member of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), Prof Hagemeister has contributed significantly to the Free State Branch, serving as the immediate past Branch Chairperson. He has been a Board member since 2023, where he currently plays a pivotal role on the Education, Science, and Technology Committee (EST) and serves as its Vice-Chairperson.
Prof Hagemeister's extensive experience in both clinical practice and medical education, combined with his leadership within SAMA, positions him as a valuable asset as a non-executive director, dedicated to advancing healthcare and education in South Africa.
Prof Zongezile Masonwabe Makrexeni was born and bred in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province. He is the second born of 5 children. He is a born-again Christian. Married to Dr CA Makrexeni, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital. They are blessed with 3 beautiful children.
Prof Makrexeni matriculated at Mpindweni Senior Secondary School in 1999. He obtained his MBCHB degree in 2005 at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha. He was trained at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and at Red Cross Children’s Hospital for his fellowship in Paediatrics, which he obtained in 2013. He trained at Dora Nginza Hospital in Port Elizabeth for his Certificate in Paediatric Cardiology, which he completed in 2017.
He concurrently completed his MMED in Paediatrics and Child Health in 2017 from the Walter Sisulu University. He is currently working as the Head of the Paediatric Cardiology Unit and Head of Paediatrics and Child Health at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital / Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha.
He is a former Editor for the SA Heart Newsletter. A Member of the Faculty of Health Sciences Board,
Member of Senate (WSU), Member of the Council of the Colleges of Paediatricians of South Africa.
Having worked in the public sector for the majority of his clinical career, Dr Odwa Mazwai remains passionate not only about equitable and sustainable healthcare that is realistically accessible to all, but also about the derived quality of health care delivery.
His experience in healthcare policy, managed healthcare and healthcare funding have developed his ability to practically apply concepts of public health and health economics towards maintaining sustainable healthcare.
Dr Mazwai’s personality lends itself to one of a healthcare provider in that he is helpful, patient, agreeable, and supportive. While he remains respectful of established processes, his affinity for innovation ensures repeated successes.
Dr. Mhlengi Vella Ncube is a health policy architect and public health visionary, celebrated for his exceptional intellect and ability to navigate complex healthcare landscapes. With over a decade of strategic leadership in health systems strengthening, he has made a significant impact in Southern African health systems.
Dr. Ncube's academic achievements are impressive, having earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, along with other notable degrees. His groundbreaking research focuses on strengthening South Africa's response to neglected tropical diseases, prioritizing innovative and cost-effective solutions. His pioneering work has yielded significant publications, shedding light on optimal strategies for schistosomiasis prevention and treatment
Dr. Ncube participates in a number of prestigious committees and forums, including the World Medical Association Policy Review Committee and the South African Presidential Health Compact Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. His career trajectory showcases his versatility, with previous roles at BroadReach Healthcare, Medi-Acc Professional Services, and UKZN Medical School.
His philosophy is centered around evidence-based, adaptable, and patient-focused health policy. He continues to advance his vision of equitable healthcare access across Southern Africa through his work with various initiatives, including the South African Rural Health Initiative and the Rare Diseases Access Initiative.
Prof Sebitloane is an associate professor and academic head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UKZN’s School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal. Her research interest is women’s health and HIV, which was the focus of her PhD, and has published widely on the topic and related issues particularly in pregnancy. Her recent passion is prevention of cervical cancer, especially in women living with HIV. She has served on numerous committees locally - society of gynecologists in South Africa (SASOG) as well as Colleges of Medicine in SA, and also international subcommittees under WHO, FIGO and ACTG.
Professor Jacques Snyman is a renowned expert in various fields of Clinical Pharmacology and has contributed significantly to the advancement of Clinical Pharmacology in South Africa. He has lectured extensively both locally and abroad on various topics and is widely published in various scientific and mass media journals and publications.
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