Mr Charles J Mkasi

Charles J Mkasi is a qualified Medical Laboratory Technologist with over 10 years of post-qualification experience in Immunology. In 2005/2006, Charles commenced his tenure at National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) Academic Division as a Medical Technologist Intern in the Immunology Department. He successfully completed his board examination and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in 2007. At the onset of 2011, Charles J Mkasi assumed the position of Senior Medical Technologist and Lieutenant Officer in the Department of Immunology at 1 Military Pathology Hospital under the South African Defence Force (SANDF)/South African Military Health Services (SAMHS). In 2017, Charles was appointed to the position of Chief Medical Technologist and subsequently promoted to the rank of Major as a Senior Military Officer. In 2021/2022, he was appointed to serve on the SAMHS technical committee. He currently holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Technology from Tshwane University of Technology, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University(SMU). He currently holds the position of Section Head at the Immunology Pathology Laboratory at 1 Military Hospital Pathology Laboratory. Additionally, he is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Pretoria.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-j-mkasi-mt-hpcsa-si-immunology-a0127682

Mr Nakedi Moswete 

Email address: [email protected]

Nakedi Moswete is a registered medical scientist (HPCSA) specializing in analytical chemistry. He has experience working with gas and liquid chromatography instruments, including method development and application. He holds a BSc Honours degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand, where his research focused on Michaelis-Menten enzymology and protein structure characterization.He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree, with his research titled “Assessing the Acceptability of Cardiovascular Disease Point-of-Care Testing in South Africa According to REASSURED Criteria.”

ORCiD : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8226-4696

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nakedi-moswete-30a0b4360

Ms Lonwabo Mjuza

Email address:[email protected]

Lonwabo Mjuza is a Master of Science candidate in Community-Oriented Primary Care at the University of Pretoria, with a research focus on the regulation of Point-of-Care diagnostic devices in South African pharmacies. With a background in Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biostatistics, Lonwabo is passionate about improving access to quality healthcare through research, innovation, and policy engagement. She is particularly interested in how health systems can integrate digital and diagnostic technologies to strengthen primary care and address public health challenges.

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2836-5928

Linkedin : http://www.linkedin.com/in/lonwabomjuza

Ms Sebueng Ramatsokotla

Email address:[email protected]

Sebueng Ramatsokotla is a Master of Science candidate in Community-Oriented Primary Care at the University of Pretoria, with a research focus on the role of forensic science in strengthening public health systems in South Africa. With a background in Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Medical Criminalistics, she is passionate about using science to advance justice, equity, and community well-being. Her work explores how Point-of-Care diagnostics and forensic approaches can be integrated to promote accessible, context-driven solutions to public health challenges.

ORCiD :https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9910-9860

Linkedin : http://www.linkedin.com/in/ sebueng-ramatsokotla-7248461b7

Dr Kuhlula Maluleke

Email address:[email protected]

Kuhlula Maluleke is an accomplished epidemiologist and public health researcher, currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria. Her primary research focus revolves around improving the accessibility of diagnostics by addressing challenges within the supply chain management framework. In her postdoctoral research, Dr. Maluleke delves into the intricate regulatory systems that govern supply chain management, with a specific emphasis on the distinctions between pharmaceuticals and diagnostics at primary healthcare levels. Her work aims to contribute valuable insights to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of diagnostic accessibility within healthcare systems. Beyond her research commitments, Dr. Maluleke actively engages in biostatistics within the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Support Hub. As a Biostatistician Intern, she applies her expertise to various tasks, including screening statistical requests from the School of Health Care Sciences, performing sample size calculations, and conducting descriptive and inferential data analysis.

ORCiD: http://https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0002-4697

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuhlula-maluleke-4843a223b/

Dr Thobeka Dlangalala 

Email address: [email protected]

Thobeka Dlangalala Has completed her PhD in Public Health at the University of Pretoria. Her project looks to improve TB diagnostic services in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is also interested in evidence synthesis research (ESR) methods and has completed and published her first ESR project as part of her PhD. Thobeka wants to use the skills and knowledge she has gained during her academic journey to contribute toward bringing an end to the TB epidemic in South Africa.

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1331-4247?lang=en

LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/thobeka-dlangalala-57026716a/

Mpho Disipi

Email address:  [email protected]

Mpho Disipi has a Diploma in General Nursing, Community, Psychiatry and Midwifery which she obtained in 2007 from the Institution Excelsius Nursing College (KLERKSDORP). She also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Her Masters research is focused on Service Provider perspectives on Quality of HIV Point-of-Care Testing Services: A case of Emfuleni Sub-District, Gauteng Province.

Mrs Ziningi Nobuhle Jaya

Email address: [email protected]

Ziningi Jaya is a  certified Medical Technologist, specializing in virology. I am currently employed as a lecturer in the department of Biomedical Science and Mangosuthu University of Technology. I hold a master’s in medical science and have recently completed her a PhD at the University of Pretoria. I am interested in multidisciplinary research where medical laboratory science meets public health to respond to diverse healthcare needs of people in our communities. My area of research interest is infectious diseases. 

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1053-5458

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziningi-jaya-1288aa59/ 

Mr Mathias Dzobo

Email address: [email protected]

Mathias Dzoba is a Medical Laboratory Scientist. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology. Mathias has completed his PhD in the School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria. The title of his PhD research is aimed at informing the development of acceptable Human papillomavirus self-sampling approaches to improve uptake of cervical cancer screening in Zimbabwe.

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9910-0700

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-dzobo-30974641/

Mrs Violet Phooko

Email address: [email protected]

Violet Phooko is a seasoned Project and Transformation Coordinator with over five years of experience in higher education, academic administration, and community outreach. She currently serves at the University of Pretoria as the Coordinator of the Faculty of Health Sciences Transformation Committee, where she leads strategic initiatives focused on institutional transformation, equity, and student development. Her responsibilities include event and conference management, research support, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. Violet holds a Master’s in Public Health and has a publication in Public Health Challenges, titled Defining Public Health Transformation: A Scoping Review. In 2025, she completed a specialised course in community engagement and implementation research with TDR and SIHI, enhancing her expertise in social innovation for health impact.