Board of Trustees

HST has established a solid reputation of good governance and sound financial management and has consistently secured funding to support the work of the organisation.  An independent Board of Trustees guides and provides oversight of HST. Board members collectively comprise a diverse group of individuals with professional standing and expertise in health systems development in and beyond South Africa.

Prof. Welile Shasha

The Chairperson, Professor Welile Shasha, is a research consultant and was team leader for evaluating the HIV and AIDS programme in South Africa. He was CEO of the Ilimalethu Development Association and headed the WHO Office in South Africa between 1996 and 2005. He holds a Master’s degree in Medicine and Community Health and established the Department of Community Medicine at the then University of Transkei, where he was Professor and Head of the Department. His experience in community health and research, his in-depth knowledge of the national health system and his international experience are invaluable to the Board.
Mr. Mr Kevin Bellis, the deputy chairperson, holds a B Sc Joint Honours in Geography and Sociology. He is a Technical Manager for HLSP working on health systems management of Tuberculosis and HIV. He brings to the Board his international experience in management and institutional development, operational and strategic planning, financial planning, operational research and monitoring and evaluation. Mr Bellis is a UK citizen.

They are supported by the following Board members:  
 Dr Michael Hindricks Dr Michael Hendricks is the former Provincial Director-General of the Northern Cape Provincial Administration, as well as the former Head of Department of the Northern Cape Department of Health. He holds an MSc (Med) in Community and Child Health, a post-graduate Diploma in Health Management as well as certificates in economics and finance. He brings to the Board his experience and skills in management, leadership, financial management and knowledge of the national health system.
 Victor Litlhakanyane Dr Victor Litlhakanyane is currently an Executive Director with Netcare Limited. Prior to assuming this position, he was the Superintendent General in the Free State Department of Health. Dr Litlhakanyane is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical practitioner and radiation oncology specialist.
Prof.

Professor Kaya Mfenyana holds Masters’ degrees in Educational Administration and Family Medicine and was awarded a Fellowship of the College of Family Physicians by Peer Review. He was the first Professor and Head of Department of Family Medicine at the Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape. He is currently the Executive Dean of the faculty of Health Sciences for the same university. He brings his academic experience as well as management and leadership skills to the Board.
Mr Mr Obakeng Mongale holds a Master's degree in Industrial Psychology and a post-graduate Diploma in Management (Finance). He is currently Executive Manager for Specialised Hospitals and Medical Support Services in the North West Department of Health and Social Development. Mr Mongale has served as Head of Department for Community Safety in the North West Province (NW) and Head of Department for the NW Health and the Public Works Departments’. During this time his provincial departments won key and prestigious Premier Awards. He has had extensive interaction with politicians, parliamentary committees, NGO's, labour unions, academic institutions and the private sector. 
Prof. Laetitia Rispel Professor Laetitia Rispel is an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Health Policy (CHP), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and holds a Doctorate in Health Systems.  She is the current president of the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA). Before joining CHP, Professor Rispel was the Executive Director of the Social Aspects of HIV and AIDS and Health Research Programme at the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa. She brings to the Board her expertise in health policy and systems research, management, public health, monitoring and evaluation, and the social determinants of health.
Dr Maureen Tong holds a PhD in International Law. She is the interim Head of the Thabo Mbeki Institute for African Leadership, a partnership between the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the University of South Africa. She was Operations Manager at the United Nations Development Programme, Chief Operations Officer at the then Department of Land Affairs and Chief of Staff at the then Ministry for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Deputy Director for the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria and Street Law Coordinator at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
 Ms Gcwalisile Twala Ms Gcwalisile Twala is a law graduate and holds a Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology. She practices as an attorney and is a director of a commercial law firm. She specializes in commercial law, pension law and corporate governance. Ms Twala serves as member of the Transport Appeal Tribunal, a tribunal under the National Department of Transport, and is  a board member of companies. She is also a member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces.
Dr. Dr Tim Wilson is a paediatrician who spent 12 years in the national Department of Health. He served as Special Advisor to the Minister, Chief Director: Hospital Services and, finally, five years as Cluster Manager: PHC, Districts & Development. After retiring in 2006 he worked again for NGOs including CIET and CSVR and, since late 2008, has consulted to the national Department of Health, supporting services and their managers in rural areas, mostly in the Eastern Cape. He brings to the Board skills and experience related to the national health system, PHC and hospital services, management and leadership.
Dr.
Dr Sibongile Zungu, currently Head of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, is a medical doctor with a post-graduate Diploma in Health Services Management. Dr Zungu also holds key certificate qualifications from a number of national and international universities and is currently enrolled for a MBA. She has received several awards including being named as one of the Top 20 Influential Leaders in the South African Health Sector in 2007. She brings to the Board extensive experience in management and leadership and in-depth knowledge of the national health system. .
Shadrack Shuping
Mr Shadrack Shuping (Shups) is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Phambili-Dismed Group. He is a pharmacist with a Higher Diploma in Health Care Management and an MBA (General and Health Care). Mr Shuping led District Health, then Clinical Health Services and ended as acting Head of Health in Free State province. His experience in Public Health Care Service Delivery, District Health System Development and Health Sector Reform, Governance and Fund Raising, Community Involvement and Public Private Partnerships brings value to the Board. In 2001 he was amongst SAIHCM’s top 20 most influential Health Care Leaders in South Africa.