PSH Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Prof Leikness Simbayi

Title: Chairperson

Qualifications:

B.Sc. (Zambia)
M.Sc. (Utah, USA)
D.Phil (Sussex, U.K.)

Skills, Expertise and Experience:

Professor Simbayi is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) for Research (DCEO-R) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) of South Africa. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Sussex in England, United Kingdom. He is a registered Research Psycho-logist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa‘s Professional Board of Psychology and also a Member of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). He is also currently an Honorary Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town. He has previously held the positions of Research Director (2001-2007), Deputy Executive Director (2007-2009) and Executive Director (2009-2016) in the HSRC. He has also previously taught Psychology at five universities, namely, Zambia (1986-1989), North West (previously Bophuthatswana from 1989-1991), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (then University of Port Elizabeth from 1992-1994), Fort Hare (1995-1997) and Western Cape (1997-2001).

During the past two decades, Professor Simbayi has mostly conducted his research in the area of social aspects of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In particular, his research has focused on second-generation HIV surveillance especially behavioural surveys, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), determinants of HIV infection (such as poverty, alcohol and drug use, gender-based violence, sex in the presence of blood, multiple sexual partnerships, and male circumcision), and theory-based HIV social and behavioural risk reduction interventions including positive prevention which targets people living with HIV/AIDS who are aware of their status.

Professor Simbayi has published over 130 scientific articles in both local and international peer-reviewed journals, 25 research reports, 15 abstracts, and 12 book chapters. He also co-edited a book entitled HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 Years on: Psychosocial Perspectives which was published by Springer of New York in 2009. He has also presented more than 300 papers and posters at both local and international conferences.

Dr Roselyn Marandu-Kareithi

Title: Vice Chairperson

Qualifications:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Organizational Performance Management, University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, 2012.
Master’s of Science (MSc), Development Management, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, 2004.
Foundation and Intermediate Management Accounting, The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), United Kingdom.
Post-Graduate Higher National Diploma in Business Administration, The Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), Nairobi, Kenya, 1993.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Economics and Geography, Egerton University, Kenya, 1992.

Skills, Expertise and Experience:

Dr Roselyn Marandu-Kareithi is a specialist in results-based management and is passionate about assisting organisations and commu-nities to achieve development goals to uplift society. Since 1991, she has worked with various international, regional and national development organisations. She has offered technical assistance and capacity building services in several countries in Africa, Asia and Eurasia to government departments/ ministries, donors, international, regional, national and community-based development organisations, faith-based organisations, and universities. She has authored and co-authored a few journal articles, made a number of oral presentations at conferences, summits, and seminars, served on journals and regional conferences abstract review panels, and on a number of organisational boards.

Currently, she is the Director of DAS Associates (Pty) Ltd, a local African, inter-national development consultancy firm providing evaluations, performance monitoring, and capacity building services.

Dr Ali Behardien

Title: Treasurer

Qualifications:

Masters in Business Administration
B Com Accounting (Honours), B degree in Economics (Honours)
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
Masters in Theology; PhD in Divinity

Skills, Expertise and Experience:

Dr Behardien has served as Central Finance Facility Manager and Financial Manager of Savings and Credit Co-operative League (SACCOL). He is a member of several professional bodies including the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), the South African Institute of Management, the Institute of Professional Accountants and South African Revenue Services Tax Practitioners. Currently Dr Behardien is practicing as a Management Consultant.

"Driven by a deep passion and commitment to human rights work, our Board of Directors have ensured a solid foundation for the organisation. We extend a special word of thanks to each Board Member for volunteering their time to be the back bone of our organisation and for their valuable support to achieve our vision nationally and regionally."

Mr Benson Mchunu

Title: Secretary

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
Master of Laws (LL.M)

Skills, Expertise and Experience:

Mr Mchunu currently works for the South African Human Rights Commission, with his duties split between compliance monitoring of public and private bodies, as well as research on issues of civil and political rights protec-tion. His experience has mainly been in the field of public law, having worked on the development of policy and legislation across provincial and national levels. His long-term interests lie in the relationship between the law and its impact on the rights of ordinary South Africans.

Prof Diane Cooper

Title: Non-Executive Director

Qualifications:

PhD (Public Health)

Skills, Expertise and Experience:

Prof Diane Cooper has a Social Science background and a PhD in Public Health. She is a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape. Prior to her appointment as a professor in the School of Public Health at UWC in 2015, she was an Associate Professor in the Women’s Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine at the University of Cape Town, where she remains an honorary professor. She has 27 years of experience in Public Health teaching and research, particularly in the areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Gender and Health and Women’s Health. Her current interests include SRH and HIV integration, contraception, teenage pregnancy, maternal health and the SRH needs, service provision for women and youth and influences on early adolescent SRH. She has worked extensively with government, NGOs and civil society organisations in South Africa, on the African continent and internationally. She has published widely in Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Dr Patrick Ntsime

Year Appointed: 2009

Title: Non-Executive Director

Qualifications:

Doctor of Literature & Philosophy
(DLit et Phil in Development Studies from the University of South Africa)

Skills, Expertise and Experience:

Dr Ntsime has a combined work experience of 30 years, in the public and corporate sectors. His career weaves across different disciplines and sectors such as sales, education, mental health, water services, local government, agri-business, small-scale mining and development finance. Currently, he is employed as a Principal Investment Officer at one of the leading Development Finance Institutions in Africa. He works with diverse teams of experts, locally and internationally and specialises on issues of policy advocacy, institutional development & capacity building, project management, clinical counselling, municipal infrastruc-ture finance, development facilitation through community, public & private partnerships and monitoring & evaluation. As an author, his colourful career blends well with his literary artistic journey. He is passionate about social development and contemporary art. Curren-tly, he also serves as a Vice-Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the Yeast City Housing based in Pretoria.