PPRETORIA, 25 September 2020 – The Board of Trustees of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has announced the appointment of Dr. Thembisile Xulu as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SANAC Trust. She will commence her duties on 01 October 2020.
Dr. Xulu is a seasoned public health practitioner with a special focus on HIV and TB response. She was with the Right to Care (RTC) Group for over 15 years where she served in various capacities ranging from being Manager of the HIV Expert Treatment Programme to Executive Director of the Group in 2007 and served on the RTC board until March 2020. She was the Chief of Party of EQUIP, the first African-led USAID funded international consortium of HIV implementing partners which was established to rapidly scale up innovative HIV treatment and prevention solutions towards meeting the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals in more than 10 PEPFAR supported countries. Dr. Xulu is a medical doctor who graduated with an MBChB from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She further obtained two diplomas from The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa; one in Obstetrics and another in HIV Management. In 2008, she completed her Master’s Degree in Public Health (Health Management and Health Policy) from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is a 2010 Yale University World Fellow and she is also a Certified Director with the Institute of Directors of South Africa.
The Board Chairperson, Dr. Yacoob Abba Omar expressed gratitude to SANAC Executive Manager, Ms. Coceka Nogoduka who has been acting as CEO since the departure of the former CEO, Dr Sandile Buthelezi .
“Ms. Nogoduka has been remarkable in executing her duties as the acting Chief. Her exceptional leadership skills ensured that the Trust remained stable during the recruitment process. She took over the position during a difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the work of SANAC is not derailed or compromised by it,” said Dr. Abba Omar.
The SANAC Board of Trustees welcomes Dr. Xulu and wishes her well in her tenure. Her skills and expertise in HIV and TB as well as her extensive experience in leadership and governance will undoubtedly stand her in good stead in this position.
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For media queries, please contact Nelson Dlamini, SANAC Communications on 078 731 0313 / nelson@sanac.org.za
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