Dr Flavia Senkubuge, of the Division of Health Policy and Management in the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Health Systems Trust (HST) Board of Trustees.

The HST is a non-profit organisation working to develop comprehensive health systems in southern Africa. Using a primary health care approach, they specialise in conducting health research, providing technical support and disseminating information. Their strategies are designed to promote equity and efficiency in health and healthcare delivery. The Board of Trustees independently guides and overseas the HST. It comprises a diverse group of individuals with professional standing and expertise in health systems development in South Africa and abroad.

Dr Senkubuge currently holds multiple senior positions. She is the Junior Vice President of the Colleges of Medicine South Africa and the first black woman to occupy such a senior leadership position. She is the current Vice-President of the African Federation of Public Health Association and secretary of the African Advisory Council on Research and Development. Dr Senkubuge's research interests include global health diplomacy, health policy and management, leadership and the social determinants of health. At heart, she is a philanthropist and is passionate about mentoring young people.