Health and Wellness
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Health and Wellness

Kgaogelo Photoane

HOD of speech therapy | Founder and life coach| Wellness podcast host
Far East Rand Hospital | Kgosi Life Coaching
https://www.instagram.com/kgosi_life_coaching/?igsh=MTgzNHUzd295eWF4dg#
https://www.kgosilifecoaching.co.za/

Kgaogelo Photoane has transformed her personal struggle into a purpose and achieved remarkable success in her professional life. Growing up in  Mabopane, Pretoria, she faced immense challenges, including multiple suicide attempts and a diagnosis of major depression, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety. Instead of letting these define her, she found a mission in healing—both her own and that of others. Kgaogelo holds a degree in Speech Therapy and Audiology (SMU), a Psychology degree from the University of South Africa, and is pursuing her Honours in Psychology. As the head of department (HOD) of Speech Therapy at Far East Rand Hospital, she supervises students, manages the department, and treats patients. Beyond healthcare, she is the founder of Kgosi Life Coaching, offering personalized coaching, employee wellness programs, and keynote speaking, empowering individuals and organisations to thrive. Her advocacy extends to Not Alone SA, a non-profit she co-founded to provide safe spaces for those struggling with mental health, ensuring no one faces their journey alone. Recognised by platforms including Metro FM, Channel Africa, and YFM, and nominated for motivational speaker awards at SASMA and Emerge Africa, she has built Kgosi Life Coaching into a trusted platform for transformation. A devoted mother, Kgaogelo balances personal growth, advocacy, and family with grace. Her mantra—“It’s never too late to start again. Healing is not linear. Breathe—you are still here”—reflects her resilience and inspires others to embrace hope, healing, and possibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Honours degree in Psychology, University of South Africa (*in progress)
  • Honours degree in Speech Therapy and Audiology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, University of South Africa 

ACHIEVEMENTS

I am really proud of my business, Kgosi Life Coaching, which has become reputable. As a guest life coach, I have been featured on platforms including Metro FM, Channel Africa, Africa-USA Radio, Sowetan Live, YFM, and Health for Mzansi, raising awareness about mental health and personal development. I was nominated as a motivational speaker at the SASMA and Emerge Africa Awards for my impactful contributions to mental health advocacy and coaching. I have also developed and implemented workshops and seminars focused on holistic wellness, reaching diverse audiences and fostering discussions on mental health.

Author -
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Azukile Nzuzo

Azukile Nzuzo

Manager: Assistive Technology
Clinton HealthAccess Initiative (CHAI) South Africa
https://www.instagram.com/azukile_nzuzo/?igsh=MWJscTdmZjFmMDczag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zimkhitha-azukile-nzuzo-a2948038/?originalSubdomain=za
https://www.clintonhealthaccess.org/

Azukile Nzuzo is driving inclusion and innovation in South Africa’s public health sector as manager for assistive technology at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). A Chevening Scholar with an MSc in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from Kingston University, London, Azukile leads programmes that enable early identification of disabilities across five provinces. His work focuses on scaling dual sensory screening initiatives that integrate mobile health tools for hearing and vision testing — bringing vital diagnostics to communities that need them most. “I was inspired by the inequities I saw in health access,”  he says. “I wanted to combine innovation, community action, and technology to make health care inclusive and locally relevant.” At CHAI, he forms strong partnerships with government,  social enterprises, and local organisations, ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of his interventions. A passionate marathon runner, Azukile, is on a mission to run 40 marathons in 40 countries before turning 40, using each run to raise awareness and funds for disability inclusion. Whether in health innovation or on the racecourse, he is driven by persistence and purpose. “Use your difference as your advantage,” he says — a mantra that defines both his leadership and his lifelong mission to build a more inclusive future.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • MSc in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship (Distinction), Kingston University, London (*Chevening Scholar)
  • B.Tech in Biomedical Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
  • National Diploma in Biomedical Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
  • Certificate in Project Management, University of Cape Town 

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Recipient of the Chevening Scholarship for academic excellence and leadership potential.
  • Completed global marathons, including London, Paris, Prague, and Sydney.
  • Leading assistive technology and early identification programmes across five provinces in South Africa.
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Norah Maitisa

Norah Maitisa

Global medical services director
Organon
https://www.instagram.com/norahmaitisa/reels/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/norah-maitisa-abcde
https://www.organon.com/

Dr Norah Maitisa, a medical doctor and global medical services director at Organon, is a leader in the fields of medicine, epidemiology, and healthcare. Her academic qualifications include an MBChB from Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU), an MSc in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology from Wits, and an MBA from Wits Business School. In her current role, Maitisa is instrumental in creating efficiencies and streamlining operations within Organon’s international medical teams, ensuring smooth processes for medical review, scientific communication, and the dissemination of medical information. Her previous role involved leading medical personnel across Sub-Saharan Africa, overseeing the training of healthcare professionals on company products to ensure patient safety and optimal clinical outcomes. Her career is driven by a passion for public health and women’s health advocacy. As a founding member of the Coalition of Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA), she has contributed to advancing policy and improving access to care across the continent. She believes that women’s health is foundational to societal well-being, emphasising that nations cannot thrive without prioritising the health of women. Her guiding principle is lifelong learning, balanced with professional responsibilities, personal health,  and family. Maitisa exemplifies leadership that merges medical expertise with strategic vision, demonstrating how thoughtful, committed leadership can create a lasting impact on healthcare delivery globally.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) – MEDUNSA
  • MSc Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Wits University 
  • MBA, Wits Business School. 
  • Diploma in Child Health and Diploma in HIV Management, College of Medicine of SA
  • Business Coaching Certification, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) 

ACHIEVEMENTS

| mg.co.za
Thato Schermer

Thato Schermer

Chief executive | Co-founder
Zoie Health
https://www.instagram.com/zoiehealth/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatoschermer/?originalSubdomain=za
https://zoiehealth.com/

Thato Schermer, the chief executive and co-founder of Zoie Health, is a leader in creating solutions for women’s health. Growing up in a family of doctors, she witnessed both the strengths and gaps in the healthcare system, which inspired her to reimagine access, affordability, and dignity in care. Today, she leads a dynamic team dedicated to creating innovative solutions that reach women across the continent.  Her work blends strategy, product development, and community engagement. She is currently pursuing an executive  MBA at the Quantic School of Business & Technology in the USA. Thato listens closely to users, healthcare providers, and partners, identifying gaps and translating them into practical solutions. One of them is EasyDoc, a telemedicine service that provides healthcare consultations to low-income  South Africans via WhatsApp. She also oversees the Zoie Foundation, which drives menstrual health education and access. Her approach combines healthcare insight with technological innovation, ensuring that impact is both meaningful and sustainable. Her achievements include co-founding Zoie Health, expanding it across four verticals, securing global partnerships and funding, and driving initiatives that empower women to take control of their health. Outside the office, she is a passionate deep-sea diver, finding meditation and inspiration beneath the waves. Her guiding principle: start before you feel ready—often, the first step creates the momentum to figure out the rest. Her greatest lesson: meaningful impact requires resilience, patience, and, above all,  listening.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • MBA, Quantic School of Business & Technology, USA (*in progress)
  • Bachelor of Business Science Honours, University of Cape Town 
  • Diploma in Business French, Paris Chamber of Commerce Executive 

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Co-founding Zoie Health — building Africa’s first digital clinic for women’s health. Expanding Zoie Health across four verticals: telemedicine and test kits (Zoie Health Technologies), affordable employee healthcare (Yola Health), supplements (Zoie Supplements), and community impact (Zoie Foundation).
  • Partnerships with and awards from leading organisations, including Harvard Business School, Clicks, Google for Startups, The United Nations Development Fund, and Allan Gray E Squared Investments. 
  • Securing grants and investments from global leaders such as Google for Startups, E Squared Investments, and the United Nations.
  • Nationwide distribution of Zoie Health supplements in major retailers. 
  • Launching the Zoie Foundation to fund menstrual health education and provide access to sanitary pads for underserved girls in Africa.
| mg.co.za
Samke Ngcobo

Samke Ngcobo

Medical doctor | Chief executive | Founder
Vocal Mentality (Pty) Ltd
https://www.instagram.com/_vocalmentality/?hl=en
http://linkedin.com/in/dr-samke-j-ngcobo-0284161b0
https://www.vocalmentality.com/

Born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Samke Ngcobo dreamed of becoming a teacher — until her first experience with mental illness at 14 redirected her path. Living with Bipolar Disorder Type 1, she has turned her personal challenges into a source of strength, combining lived experience with professional expertise as a medical doctor in mental health. In 2011, Ngcobo completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and she has since been a leading figure in the field of mental health. In 2020, she founded Vocal Mentality, a platform dedicated to mental health advocacy and psycho-education. Through Vocal Mentality, she provides wellness advisory, consultations, educational content,  and speaking engagements, helping individuals and organisations navigate mental wellbeing while breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. Ngcobo is also the author of Reflections of a Convoluted Mind: A Journey with My Mental Illness  (2020), which uses storytelling to inspire awareness, hope, and resilience. Her achievements include being a Top 5 finalist in the 2022 Rising Star Awards in Entrepreneurship, a Forty Under 40 South Africa nominee in 2025 in Wellness, and a finalist for Author of the Year at the 2025 African Health Excellence Awards. Guided by faith and determination, Ngcobo believes every challenge carries a purpose: “My resilience and courage are the light that emerged from my darkest moments.” Her advice to others: “Never give up.”

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB), University of KwaZulu-Natal 

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Being a published author of Reflections of a Convoluted Mind: A Journey with My Mental Illness in 2020 is a significant highlight and achievement for me. 
  • Notably, Vocal Mentality was recognised as a Top 5 Finalist by the 2022 Rising Star Awards in the Entrepreneurship category.
  • Recognised as a Forty Under 40 South Africa 2025 nominee in the Wellness category for Vocal Mentality. 
  • African Health Excellence Awards 2025 finalist: Author of the Year.
| mg.co.za
Heidi Abrahamse

Heidi Abrahamse

DSTI NRF SARChI Chair: Laser Applications in Health | Director: Laser Research Centre, University of Johannesburg and Heidi Abrahamse, distinguished professor, is a pioneer in health research and laser applications, serving as DSTI NRF SARChI Chair and Director of the Laser Research Centre at the University of Johannesburg. Her leadership at the Laser Research Centre, which includes six senior researchers, around 30 Master's and PhD students, and 10 postdoctoral fellows, is a testament to her ability to manage a large team and lead complex projects. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand and further honed her leadership skills at GIBS and Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program. Her days are a combination of mentoring, strategic leadership, grant development, and presenting research internationally. She thrives on seeing emerging researchers grow in confidence, innovate boldly, and make meaningful contributions to science. Her work focuses on pioneering therapies that utilise photodynamic and photobiomodulation techniques, achieving breakthroughs in molecular pathways and the development of autologous stem cell grafts. Beyond the lab, Heidi finds joy in gardening, history, travel, and celebrating the growth of her students and children. She credits her perseverance and dedication to lessons from her mother and years of rigorous research. For Heidi, meaningful progress comes from patience, persistence, and nurturing potential in others. She embodies a rare combination of scientific brilliance and mentorship, creating ripples of impact that extend from the laboratory to communities, inspiring a new generation of researchers to pursue discovery with curiosity, courage, and a sense of purpose.
doctor, Master, ca, ma
University of Johannesburg, serving as DSTI NRF SARChI Chair and Director of the Laser Research Centre at the University of Johannesburg. Her leadership at the Laser Research Centre, University of Johannesburg. Her leadership at the Laser Research Centre, University of the Witwatersrand and further honed her leadership skills at GIBS and Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program. Her days are a combination of mentoring, is a testament to her ability to manage a large team and lead complex projects. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand and further honed her leadership skills at GIBS and Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program. Her days are a combination of mentoring, University of Johannesburg

WOMEN IN HEALTH & WELLNESS Heidi Abrahamse DSTI NRF SARChI Chair: Laser Applications in Health | Director: Laser Research Centre, University of Johannesburg Heidi Abrahamse, distinguished professor, is a pioneer in health research and laser applications, serving as DSTI NRF SARChI Chair and Director of the Laser Research Centre at the University of Johannesburg. Her leadership at the Laser Research Centre, which includes six senior researchers, around 30 Master’s and PhD students, and 10 postdoctoral fellows, is a testament to her ability to manage a large team and lead complex projects. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand and further honed her leadership skills at GIBS and Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program. Her days are a combination of mentoring, strategic leadership, grant development, and presenting research internationally. She thrives on seeing emerging researchers grow in confidence, innovate boldly, and make meaningful contributions to science. Her work focuses on pioneering therapies that utilise photodynamic and photobiomodulation techniques, achieving breakthroughs in molecular pathways and the development of autologous stem cell grafts. Beyond the lab, Heidi finds joy in gardening, history, travel, and celebrating the growth of her students and children. She credits her perseverance and dedication to lessons from her mother and years of rigorous research. For Heidi, meaningful progress comes from patience, persistence, and nurturing potential in others. She embodies a rare combination of scientific brilliance and mentorship, creating ripples of impact that extend from the laboratory to communities, inspiring a new generation of researchers to pursue discovery with curiosity, courage, and a sense of purpose.

Sewela Mamphiswana | mg.co.za
Boitumelo Peete

Boitumelo Peete

Senior physiotherapist
Gauteng Department of Health
https://www.linkedin.com/in/boitumelo-peete-51423b185/
https://www.gauteng.gov.za/Pages/index.aspx

Boitumelo Peete, a senior physiotherapist at the Gauteng Department of Health and a Master’s in Public Health candidate at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, is a mentor par excellence. Her work is a harmonious blend of hands-on clinical expertise, mentorship, and professional development. Each day, she assists patients in overcoming complex neurological and musculoskeletal challenges, guides final-year physiotherapy students, and organizes continuing professional development for her team. Her driving force is the moments when patients achieve milestones they once thought impossible—affirming their agency and her role in their success. Boitumelo’s upbringing in Soweto, where she  witnessed how socio-economic barriers limited access to healthcare, ignited her passion for championing equitable health and improving the quality of life for her community. Beyond the clinic, she nurtures creativity and focus through cinema, music, reading, and hiking—interests that sharpen her problem-solving and holistic approach to care. Her proudest achievements include being named Best Therapist at Odi District Hospital in 2025, implementing a clinical supervision program in collaboration with SMU since 2018, and coordinating the rehabilitation unit’s CPD programme in 2023–2024. Her guiding principle, inspired  by neuroplasticity, is a testament to her belief in the potential for change: “Never confuse the structure of a problem  with the potential for its solution.” This philosophy permeates her clinical work, mentorship, and commitment to public health, serving as a powerful reminder that change is always possible.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, University of the Witwatersrand 
  • Master’s degree in Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (*in progress)

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Best therapist in the rehabilitation unit at Odi District Hospital (2025)
  • Successfully implemented the clinical supervision programme for final-year physiotherapy students, in collaboration with SMU, from 2018.
  • Initiated and coordinated the rehabilitation unit’s CPD (Continuous Professional Development) in 2023 and 2024.
| mg.co.za
Annah Mametsa

Annah Mametsa

Professional nurse | Founder
Mphoentle Pelong Haven of Care Community Centre

Annah Mametsa, a professional nurse, has a heart for care that extends far beyond the clinic. She is the founder of Mphoentle Pelong Haven of Care Community Centre, a non-profit dedicated to uplifting disadvantaged learners and community members. Her journey began with empathy for children in her community, and a pivotal moment came when her own child was bullied over torn shoes. Witnessing the struggles behind that small act inspired her lifelong dedication to service. Since 2005, Annah has annually donated school shoes, sanitary pads,  food parcels, and pre-loved clothes, while also conducting home visits, awareness campaigns, and motivational talks that instill hope and resilience. Her approach combines practical support with mentorship, enhancing learners’  confidence, reducing absenteeism, and promoting menstrual dignity for girls. Her work has earned recognition,  including the SA Heroine in Health award, the Fabulous Woman Award, and the Sunday World Heroic Woman award. Yet, for Annah, the greatest reward is seeing lives transformed. Her work has significantly improved the lives of many in her community, creating lasting change one learner at a time. She lives by a simple principle: stay focused, humble, and committed to the Ubuntu spirit. Her guiding advice: “Walk tall despite challenges and never give up, no matter how tough the obstacles may be.”  Through dedication, compassion, and action, Annah continues to uplift her community.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Diploma in Nursing Management, University of Pretoria 
  • Diploma in Community Nursing, University of Pretoria 
  • Diploma in Midwifery, Seshego Nursing College 
  • Diploma in General Nursing, Petersburg Hospital 
  • Certificate in Enrolled Nursing, Lebone College of Nursing 
  • Short courses completed: HIV/AIDS Counselling and Testing – Couple Counselling – NIMART – Male Medical Circumcision

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Cronwed Community Builder
  • SA Heroine in Health
  • She Millionaire in Health
  • Fabulous Woman Award in Health
  • Pitjeng & Sons Community Builder
  • Twice awarded the Sunday World Award as Woman in Uniform
  • She Millionaire Public Servant of the Year
  • Finalist and 2nd runner-up in the Marlyn Lahana Caring Award
| mg.co.za

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