New NHLS Board Chair and Vice Chair take office, signalling the end of Prof Eric Buch’s impactful tenure.

Johannesburg: Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has appointed Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele as the new Chairperson of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Board, effective 1 November 2024. Prof Mphahlele, Vice Chairperson of the NHLS board since 2020, is an esteemed medical scientist and academic who brings experience in laboratory services, public health, research, and higher education to the role. He succeeds Prof Eric Buch, Chairperson since 2017, whose tenure had reached its statutory limit.

Prof Mphahlele is widely acknowledged for his substantial contributions to public health and higher education. Since July 2021, he has served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at North-West University. Before this, he was the Vice President of Research at the South African Medical Research Council (2014–2021) and Professor and Chair of Virology at the University of Limpopo, collaborating with the NHLS (2005–2014). He also served as Co-Director of the SAMRC/Diarrhoeal Pathogens Research Unit and co-founded the South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre.

Minister Motsoaledi also appointed Prof Craig Househam as Vice Chairperson of the Board. Prof Househam, a renowned paediatrician, and seasoned healthcare administrator, brings extraordinary experience to the NHLS Board. He was the Head of the Departments of Health in the Free State and Western Cape provinces, ensuring effective public financial management and overseeing transformative healthcare restructuring. Prof Househam has served on several national bodies and boards, including the Boards of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the Office of Health Standards Compliance.

Under the two terms led by Prof Buch, together with the effectiveness of former CEO Dr Kamy Chetty and her team, the NHLS emerged as a beacon of integrity in governance, stability, financial resilience and cost-effective service delivery. A staunch advocate for ethical governance and good corporate citizenship, Prof Buch was pivotal in steering the NHLS through turbulent times following the financial mismanagement, irregularities and malfeasance of former NHLS CEO Joyce Mogale and members of her executive and management team. His commitment to hold them to account was rewarded again yesterday when Judge Connie Prinsloo refused Mogale and Zulu’s application for leave to appeal against her judgement that their dismissal was fair and justified and her award of damages of ~ R22 million to the NHLS.

Prof Mphahlele is well placed to build on Prof Buch’s legacy and lead the NHLS to new heights of diagnostic pathology and laboratory service excellence and efficiency. The NHLS extends its heartfelt appreciation to Prof Buch for his exceptional service and dedication.

Ends

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Mzi Gcukumana | Head of Communication | 066 376 3171 | mzimasi.gcukumana@nhls.ac.za