These are all you need to know about South Africa Ministry of Health and the biography of its health Minister- Dr. Joseph Phaahla.
Early Life
Mathume Joe Phaahla was born on 11 July 1957 in a rural of Ga-Phaahla, the former Northern Transvaal. He completed an MBBS at the University of Natal in 1983. He also holds tertiary diplomas, including one in health service management from the University of Haifa.
| Full Name | Dr. Mathume Joseph Phaahla | |
| Current Position | South Africa Minister of Health | |
| Date Appointed | 5th August, 2021 – Till date |
Dr. Joseph Phaahal Academic Qualifications
Dr Joe Phaahla holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Natal, Diploma in Health Service Management from the University of Haifa, Institute of Science, Israel in 1992 and a Certificate of General Management, Marketing and Finance.
His Career/Positions/Memberships and Other Activities
He was the head of the ANC Presidency responsible for coordinating the office of the President, Deputy President and National Chairperson during election campaign from November 2008 to 30 April 2009. Elected to the National Executive Committee of the ANC in December 2007, Former Director-General 2010. FIFA World Cup Government Coordinating Unit 2005-2008. CEO of the S.A. Sports Commission which was the overall coordination and regulator of all Sports Federations from 2000-2005.
The Sports Commission paved the way for the current S.A. Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee –SASCOC. Also, he was a Member of Provincial Executive Committee of ANC in Limpopo Province 1991-2001, Before unbanning of ANC in 1990 served in leadership positions in various mass democratic movement structures including in the NEC of the United Democratic Front MEC Education, Sports and Culture in Limpopo Province 1997-2000.
First MEC for Health and Social Development in Limpopo Province from 1994-1997, Qualified as a Medical Practitioner MBCHB 1983 University of Natal and practised in various hospitals in KZN ,Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo till April 1994.
Dr. Joseph Phaahla Medical Journey
Born in Limpopo, Phaahla trained as a Medical Doctor at the University of Natal, where he became active in the anti-apartheid movement. He was the president of the Azanian Students’ Organisation from 1981 to 1983 and later was a regional leader in the United Democratic Front. Upon the end of apartheid in 1994, Phaahla left his medical career to join the inaugural Executive Council of Limpopo; under Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi, he was the province’s first Member of the Executive Council for Health from 1994 to 1997 and then Member of the Executive Council for Education from 1997 to 2000.
Mathume Joseph Phaahla is a South African politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Health since August 2021. He was formerly the Deputy Minister of Health from May 2014 to August 2021. He had been a deputy minister since May 2009, when he joined the National Assembly. He is also a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC).
| Position | 26th South Africa Health Minister |
| Status | Incumbent |
| Assumed Office | 5th August, 2021 |
| Appointed by | South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Sibongiseni Dhlomo |
Having talked about the biography of the South Africa health Minister, it Will be ideal to take a look at the South Africa Health Departmental members and their Portfolios as tabled below.
| Minister | Dr Joe Phaahla (Minister of Health) (ANC) |
| Deputy Minister | Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo (Deputy Minister of Health) (ANC) |
| Director General | •Dr Sandile Buthelezi |
| Deputy Director Generals | • Ms Jeanette Hunter (Primary Health Care and Hospital Management Systems) • Dr Anban Pillay (Suspended: Health Regulation and Compliance) • Ms Valerie Rennie (Head: Corporate Services) |
| Communication officers | • Mr Popo Maja (Suspended: Chief Director: Communication and Stakeholder Engagement) • Dr Lwazi Manzi (Spokesperson: Minister) • Mr Foster Mohale (Spokesperson: Department of Health) • Mr Doctor Tshwale (Spokesperson: Health Minister) |
| Secretaries | • Ms Yvonne Madulane (Personal Assistant: Deputy Minister) • Ms Nokwethemba Mchiza (Personal Assistant: Director General) • Ms Georgina Sylvester (Personal Assistant: Minister) |
| Senior Management | • Mr Manage Makunyane (Head: Office of the Deputy Minister) • Mr Sindile Sodladla (Head: Office of the Director General) |
| Chief of Staff | • Mr Thobani Matheza Chief Financial Officer: Mr Ian van Der Merwe |
Related: South Africa Healthcare system – what-you-should-know
