President:
Dr Lwando Maki
Dr. Lwando Maki has a Bachelor's in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Cape Town. After completion of his internship and community service he conducted specialist medical training in Public Health Medicine/Preventative Medicine at the College of Medicine of South Africa and a Master of Medicine at the University of Pretoria. He then went on to enter his second specialist medical training in Internal Medicine at the College of Medicine of South Africa and his second Master of Medicine at the University of Cape Town.
Dr Maki has a particular interest in Global Health, Climate Change and Non-communicable Diseases with a focus on Cardiovascular Disease. Dr Maki has fourteen years of leadership and advocacy experience and has, amongst others, served on the Editorial Board of the Elsevier Climate and Health Journal, Chair of the Climate Health Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, Past Chair of the Environmental Health Working Group of the World Medical Association, Climate lead of the African Coalition of Medical Associations, Secretary - Climate of the Africa Epidemiological Association, current President Public Health Association of South Africa, Secretary of the African Epidemiological Association, member of the South African National Climate Change Steering Committee-Department of Environmental Affairs, Member of the Climate Change Committee-Congress of South African Trade Unions and Climate Lead for the South African Medical Association.
Secretary:
Dr Sean Patrick
Dr Sean Patrick is a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria's School of Health Systems and Public Health and works as a scientist in the Environmental Chemical Pollution and Health Research Unit. Additionally, He holds the position of vice-chairperson of the Associations of Schools of Public Health in Africa and Global Network for Academic Public Health subgroup member and is also a member of the management committee of the University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC).
Specializing in researching Endocrine Disruptors and their impact on health. His work delves into the intricate environmental and social issues, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 6, that influence prevailing and emerging diseases. Over the years, he has secured grants worth R30 million as principal and co-principal investigator since 2019. Alongside this, he is actively involved in supervising Masters and Doctoral students.
His research, which aims to understand the multifaceted issues related to environmental and public health, has garnered recognition and has been published in high-impact journals, including Nature. Furthermore, he has play a pivotal role in coordinating the Master of Public Health Programme and contributes significantly to curriculum development aimed at training the next generation of public health professionals.
Member:
Dr Amilcar Juggernath
Dr Amilcar Juggernath is a Public Health Medicine Specialist performing independent consulting work. He has a keen interest in improving population health through health systems strengthening, addressing the determinants of health, and policy reform. He obtained MBBCh and MMed (Community Health) qualifications from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is a Fellow of the College of Public Health Medicine of South Africa, and holds a Diploma in HIV Management.
Amilcar has clinical work experience in urban and rural settings, and public health experience across the different levels of the health system, health care facilities, and national health institutes. His recent professional experience has included managing health programmes and health systems reform from a national level. He is currently appointed as an extraordinary lecturer within the Department of Public Health Medicine at the University of Pretoria, and has public health research experience in. Amilcar aims to contribute to improving and expanding the work of PHASA.
Member:
Dr Ndumiso Tshuma
Dr Ndumiso Tshuma is a distinguished public health professional with a PhD in Public Health, a Master of Business Administration, and a BSc in Nutrition. With over a decade of multidisciplinary experience, he has contributed significantly to health systems strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation science in South Africa and across the region.
Currently serving as a Executive Director at Best Health Solutions, Dr Tshuma leads the design and implementation of M&E frameworks, supports data-driven planning, and provides capacity-building support to civil society organizations working in HIV, TB, STIs, NCDs and broader public health domains. He is a passionate advocate for participatory methodologies, integrating Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Human-Centered Design (HCD) into national research and programmatic efforts. As the leader of the SANAC Civil Society Forum (CSF) Research Sector, he facilitates cross-sectoral collaboration, coordinates community-led research initiatives, and ensures alignment with South Africa’s National Strategic Plan.
Dr Tshuma also pioneers the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools for real-time data collection, predictive analytics, and impactful storytelling to strengthen community-based programming and advocacy. His work spans key areas such as adolescent SRHR, mental health, nutrition, social determinants of health, and the development of sustainable funding models for grassroots health organizations. With a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, Dr Tshuma continues to shape the future of public health through innovation, mentorship, and transformative partnerships
Member:
Charissa Carpenter
Charissa Carpenter is a seasoned legal and corporate governance professional with over 15 years of comprehensive legal practice and governance consultancy experience in various sectors. With a robust background in corporate law and compliance, Charissa has successfully navigated complex governance challenges, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of ethical governance.
Charissa is committed to enhancing corporate governance frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable business practices. Her educational background includes an LLB from the University of Pretoria, and she is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (FCG).Charissa is a disciplined and energetic professional who believes in the transformative power of effective governance and ethical practices in business. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of integrity and accountability within organisations, ensuring that legal compliance is not just a requirement but a fundamental aspect of business strategy. Her passion for corporate governance drives her commitment to creating effective and innovative solutions that align legal frameworks with organisational goals.
Member:
Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie
Dr. Patrick Ngassa Piotie is a passionate global health leader with two decades of experience in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through health systems strengthening, implementation research, and policy advocacy. He is the Co-founder of the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre and currently serves as the Chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance and Convenor of the South African Diabetes Summit. He was recently appointed to the Gauteng Provincial Non-Communicable Diseases Advisory Committee and is widely recognised as a thought leader in diabetes and public health.
In 2022, Dr. Ngassa Piotie was selected as one of ten Public Health Association of South Africa Conference Fellows, receiving advanced training in public health advocacy. His contributions have since earned him recognition as an Emerging Leader in the 2024 World Heart Federation Salim Yusuf Emerging Leaders Programme, an International Diabetes Federation Senior Fellow, and a Fellow of the prestigious Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Health Leadership.
His key interests include advancing diabetes management in primary care, promoting diabetes surveillance, and integrating mental health into diabetes care. Fluent in both French and English, Dr. Ngassa Piotie holds a medical degree and a PhD in Public Health.
As a Board Member of PHASA, Dr. Ngassa Piotie brings a deep commitment to equity in NCD care, strong advocacy experience, and a track record of fostering collaboration between academia, civil society, and government to shape impactful public health policy.
Member:
Prof Joyce Shirinde
Prof Joyce Shirinde is an Associate Professor in the School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Health Sciences. She serves as the Head of Division for Behaviour and Health Management Sciences and also oversees the Health Promotion Unit.
With a strong academic background in Environmental Health and Public Health, Prof. Shirinde's research focuses on examining human health outcomes in diverse environmental contexts, including the impacts of air pollution, climate-related factors, and the complex interplay between social dynamics and environmental influences. Prof. Shirinde earned her PhD in Public Health from the University of Pretoria. She also holds an MPH, along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Education for the Health Sciences.
Her expertise extends to mentoring and supervising postgraduate students at both Masters and PhD levels within the school, providing guidance on research projects aligned with her areas of specialization and research interests. In addition, Prof Shirinde serves as the Chairperson of the Research Committee (RESCOM) and Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) at the SHSPH.
Member:
Dr Itumeleng Ntatamala
Dr Itumeleng Ntatamala is an Occupational Medicine Specialist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town. He obtained his MBChB and M.Med in Occupational Medicine qualifications at UCT as well as an M.Sc in Occupational Health at the University of Birmingham in the UK. He is a fellow of the College of Public Health Medicine (Occupational Medicine Division) and also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in HIV Management from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.
He convenes the UCT School of Public Health’s Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health and is responsible for teaching and conducting research in occupational medicine at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is registered for a Ph.D in Public Health for which he was awarded the 2023 Harry Crossley Clinical Research Fellowship Prize and the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences Start-Up Emerging Researcher Award for his research on COVID-19 in non-health sector small and medium-sized enterprises and pandemic preparedness.
Dr Ntatamala is the current Chairperson of the South African Society of Occupational Medicine (SASOM) Western Cape Chapter and Deputy Chairperson of the recently formed PHASA Occupational and Environmental Health Special Interest Group (SIG). He is the recipient of the 2023 PHASA Emerging Practitioner PHILA Award, and SASOM Medal for being the best-performing candidate in the CMSA 2021 Occupational Medicine Examination. He received the Western Cape Government 2020 Service Excellence Awards Silver Prize in the ‘Inspirational Support Employee’ category for his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in protecting health workers and was selected as a top 200 Mail & Guardian Young South Africans in 2019.
As a medical intern in Limpopo Province, his efforts in leading the creation of a mother and child-friendly ward at Mokopane Regional Hospital were recognised by receiving the 2015 Limpopo Premier’s Service Excellence Awards (Innovation in Public Service Silver Prize).
Member:
Prof Takalani Tshitangano
Prof Takalani Grace Tshitangano is a Professor of Public Health and Health Promotion with special interest in infection control as a determinant of communicable diseases. Prof Tshitangano joined the University of Venda as an academic more than ten years ago, teaching health promotion. She served as an HOD of Public Health at the University of Venda for a period of five years, and HOD of Mpumalanga college of Nursing for a period of three years.
Tshitangano has published more than sixty articles in international and national peer-reviewed journals in the areas of health promotion and infection control. She received numerous Vice Chancellor Excellence awards both in teaching and Research. She is currently serving as a member of the Limpopo Provincial and National Health Research Committees. She holds PhD and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of Venda, additional to a Master of Business Administration degree from MANCOSA.
Takalani Tshitangano is registered with the South African Nursing Council as a Nurse (general, Community, Psychiatric) and midwifery science, with more than twenty-three years of public hospitals nursing and management experience.
Ex officio member
Dr Harsha Somaroo
Harsha Somaroo is a Public Health Medicine Specialist, committed to protecting and improving health, healthcare, and health equity; and the immediate past president of PHASA (2021-2023). She led the team that won the bid to co-host the 2026 World Congress on Public Health and is the PHASA chairperson for the Congress Management Committee.
She has been involved with various aspects of clinical care and public health systems’ management; and believes that improvements both within and outside the health system are essential to improve the quality of healthcare and health equity. Within the healthcare sector, she aims to influence changes related to enhancing clinical and corporate governance, and overall health systems strengthening. Outside the health care system, she wants to work to promote actions to address the social determinants of health and to foster heightened social conscientisation among all South Africans.
She views PHASA as a multi-disciplinary organisation of individuals who are all ultimately advocating for greater health equity in South Africa. She is keen to support the association amplify its collective voice in order to advocate for improved healthcare and health equity, to improve networking between like-minded organisations, to enhance knowledge sharing on significant issues, and to capacitate the diverse membership to harness individual strengths and further develop areas of public health interest.