About Us

Overview

The HPCSA, together with the 12 Professional Boards under its ambit, is established to provide for control over the education, training and registration for practicing of health professions registered under the Health Professions Act. In order to protect the public and guide the professions, council ensures that practitioners uphold and maintain professional and ethical standards within the health professions and ensure the investigation of complaints concerning practitioners and to ensure that disciplinary action is taken against persons who fail to act accordingly.

Regulatory Mandate

As a statutory body, the HPCSA is guided by a formal regulatory framework and this includes our founding Act, the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974. This Act governs all our activities, clearly defines the scope of each profession which it mandates to register with HPCSA, and sets clear processes to be followed by HPCSA in achieving our statutory mandate.

Vision Statement

The Vision of the HPCSA is to be: “A progressive regulator of health professions aspiring to quality, equitable and accessible healthcare.”

Mission Statement

The Mission of the HPCSA is: - To regulate and guide registered healthcare professions and protect the public through:

Setting contextually relevant standards for healthcare training and practice.
Setting and maintaining standards for Ethical and Professional practice.
Strengthening the maintenance of continuing competency programmes.
Ensuring consistent compliance to all the set standards.
Continually engaging the public and other stakeholders.

Dr. Magome Masike

Dr Magome Masike is currently the Registrar of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Dr Masike is well-known in the medical industry, as he was previously a Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Health in the North-West province from 2010 to 2018. His achievements as a leader in the healthcare industry includes his leading role in the amalgamation of Tshepong and Klerksdorp public hospitals.

He holds an MBChB and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). He is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health. Dr Masike is not new to leadership roles. He was the Chairperson of the North-West Parks Board and the Executive Mayor of the Matlosana Local Municipality from 2000 to 2004.

Dr Masike’s other prominent roles include:

Business Development Director of Healthcare at Oracle South Africa where he reported on Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA),
Chairperson of the North-West Provincial Tender Board,
Member of the Provincial Legislature,
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Finance in the Office of the Premier,
President of the South African Medical Association (SAMA) in the North-West,
Member of the University Council of the Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA), Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

As an Executive Mayor, Dr Masike led the amalgamation of four Municipalities, Klerksdorp, Stilfontein, Orkney and Hartebeesfontein.

Dr Masike was the Chairperson of the North-West Parks Board from 2019 until 2022 and contributed to the merger of the North-West Parks Board and the North-West Tourism Board to form the North West Parks and Tourism Board.

Dr Masike brings a wealth of experience gained from both public and private sector.

Melissa de Graaff

Ms Melissa de Graaff is the Head of Department: Finance and Supply Chain Management and Chief Financial Officer. She obtained her BCompt (Hons) from Unisa in 1996, continuing further to conclude with her CA(SA) in 2000. As a Chartered Accountant, she affiliated with the SAICA in 2002. Aside from her qualifications, she is also an expert in implementation, communication and negotiation, annual financial statements, supply chain management, audit, taxation, policy and procedure development and implementation, and also problem solving.

Lerole David Mametja

Lerole David Mametja is the Head of Department: Core Operations. He holds a master’s degree in Public Health (Health Policy and Management) from Columbia University, New York, USA. He has worked in the health sector for the past 28 years and has held senior executive management positions. He was the CEO of the Health Systems Trust (HST), Chief Programme Executive at TB HIV Care and National TB Programme Manager at the National Department of Health. He has actively participated in global efforts, including the preparations for (as part of Task Teams led by the Geneva-based Stop TB Partnership and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and attendance of the first ever convened United Nations High Level Meeting on TB held at the UN in 2018.

Council Members

President	Dr Desmond Mathye
Vice President
Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy & Oral Hygiene	Dr Tufayl Ahmed Muslim
Dietetics & Nutrition	Ms Lenore Spies
Emergency Care	Dr Simpiwe Sobuwa Mr Sidney Dwyili Mr Ahmed Bham
Environmental Health Practitioners	Mr Joseph Shikwambane
Medical, Dental & Medical Science	Prof Joseph Letlakane Arthur Rantloane Prof. Mbulaheni Simon Nemutandandi Dr Morokolo Silas Sathekge
Medical Technology	Ms Akhona Vuma
Optometry and Dispensing Opticians	Ms Yurisa Naidoo
Occupational Therapy and Medical Orthotics/Prosthetics	Ms E Burger
Psychology	Dr Justin Oswin August
Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics	Dr Desmond Mathye
Radiography and Clinical Technology	Ms TB Mahlaola
Speech-Language and Hearing	Prof. Lebogang Ramma
Community Representative not registered in Terms of Act	Mr Naheem Raheman Rev. Ntombizine Velma Madyibi Rev. Thabiso Lancelord Mashiloane Dr Sethole Reginald Legoabe Mr Bheki Innocent Dladla Mr Thapelo Joshua Nambo Ms Mmanape Mothapo
Department of Higher Education and Training	Vacant
Department of Health	Dr Aquina Thulare
Person versed in Law	Adv. Motlatjo Josephine Ralefatane
Person appointed by the Universities South Africa (Higher Education South Africa)	Prof. Penelope Engel - Hills Prof. Fikile Nomvete Prof. Nathaniel Mofolo
South African Military Health Services	Major - General Ntshavheni Maphaha

Overview

Governance

Corporate Governance is a system of rules, practices and processes by which the HPCSA is directed, controlled and held to account.

In addition to the legislative requirements based on enabling legislation corporate governance at the HPCSA is applied in tandem with the principles communicated in the King Codes on Corporate Governance.

THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY

The Health Professions Council of south Africa is a creature of statute established in terms of Section 2 of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974. It is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Health as its Executive Authority.

In terms of Section 3 (1) of the Health Professions Act 51 of 1974, the HPCSA has to submit to the Minister the following:

A five-year Strategic Plan within six months of Council coming into office, which includes details as to how Council plans to fulfil its objectives under the Act;
Every six months, a report on the status of health professions and matters of public importance that have come to the attention of Council in the course of the performance of its functions under the Act; and
An annual report within six months of the of the financial year.

In the reporting period, the above stated information was submitted to the Minister in compliance with the requisite time frames.

THE ACCOUNTING AUTHORITY

Council as the governing body of the HPCSA is established and vested with all functions of the Accounting Authority. Council’s tenure for the period 2015/2020 came to an end and a new Council was inaugurated in December 2020 to remain in office until 2025. Council is responsible for the development of HPCSA’s five-year strategy and to exercise oversight on performance placing emphasis on the following object and functions of the HPCSA:

To co-ordinate the activities of the Professional Boards established in terms of this Act and to act as an advisory and communicatory body for such Professional Boards;
To promote and to regulate interprofessional liaison between health professions in the interest of the public;
To determine strategic policy in accordance with National Health Policy as determined by the Minister, and to make decisions in terms thereof, with regard to the Professional Boards and the health professions, for matters such as finance, education, training, registration, ethics and professional conduct, disciplinary procedure, scope of the professions, interprofessional matters and maintenance of professional competence;
To consult and liaise with relevant authorities on matters affecting the Professional Boards in general;
To assist in the promotion of the health of the population of the Republic;
Subject to legislation regulating health care providers and consistency with national policy determined by the Minister, to control and to exercise authority in respect of all matters affecting the education and training of persons in, and the manner of the exercise of the practices pursued in connection with, the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of physical or mental defects, illnesses or deficiencies in human kind;
To promote liaison in the field of education and training referred to in paragraph (f),both in the Republic and elsewhere, and to promote the standards of such education and training in the Republic;
To advise the Minister on any matter falling within the scope of this Act in order to support the universal norms and values of health professions, with greater emphasis on professional practice, democracy, transparency, equity, accessibility and community involvement;
To communicate to the Minister information of public importance acquired by the Council in the course of the performance of its functions under this Act;
To serve and protect the public in matters involving the rendering of health services by persons practising a health profession;
To exercise its powers and discharge its responsibilities in the best interest of the public and in accordance with national health policy determined by the Minister;
To be transparent and accountable to the public in achieving its objectives and when performing its functions and exercising its powers;
To uphold and maintain professional and ethical standards within the health professions;
To ensure the investigation of complaints concerning persons registered in terms of this Act and to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken against such persons in accordance with this Act in order to protect the interest of the public; and
To ensure that persons registered in terms of this Act behave towards users of health services in a manner that respects their constitutional rights to human dignity, bodily and psychological integrity and equality, and that disciplinary action is taken against persons who fail to act accordingly.

The History of the HPCSA

Regulation of the practice of medicine and allied professions in the Republic of South Africa began in the late 19th century. The Colonial Medical Council of the Cape Province was founded in terms of section 18 of the ‘Medical and Pharmacy Act’ of 1891. The first meeting of this council took place on 4 January, 1892. In Natal, the ‘Natal Medical Council’ was established in terms of section 18 of the ‘Medical and Pharmacy Act’ of 1896 and the first meeting was held on 9 October, 1896 in Pietermaritzburg. The 'Medical and Pharmacy Council of the Orange River Colony resulted from Ordinance 29 of 1904.

The HPCSA’s origins date back to 1928 when, in accordance with Act 13 of 1928, the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC) was appointed to fulfil the functions of the four former provincial councils. Act 13 of 1928 made provision for two statutory councils: the South African Medical Council (SAMC) and the South African Pharmacists' Commission (SAPC). The SAMC was also responsible for the registration of nurses until the South African Nursing Council (SANC) was established as a separate council in 1944. Likewise, the registration of dental technicians was the responsibility of the SAMC until the formation of the South African Dental Technicians' Council in 1945.

Act 56 of 1974 replaced Act 13 of 1928, in terms of which the SAMDC, now renamed the HPCSA, continues to exist as a separate legal entity. The first meeting of the Council was held on 22 October, 1928 in Pretoria and was opened by the late Dr. D F Malan, the then Minister of National Health and later the fourth Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. Although Act 13 of 1928 made provision for the South African Medical Council and the South African Pharmacist’s Commission to exist as two statutory councils, these two Councils had a common Registrar for a number of years.

In 1947, the first register of medical deputies was established. Attempts aimed at making registration of these professions, later paramedical and supplementary health service professions, compulsory, have a history of its own. After a variety of draft bills and elected Committees of Parliament, Act 13 of 1928 was amended in 1971 to make provision for the establishment of professional boards registered with the Council. Professional Boards for Physiotherapy, Optometry, Medical Technology, Chiropody (Podiatry), Health Inspectors, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Radiography, Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists, Speech Therapy, Audiology, Dietetics, Oral Hygiene, Opticians and Clinical Technology were established. More professional Boards were established at a later stage while others were amended or combined as necessary.

Section 4 of the Health Professions Act was amended by the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No. 29 of 2007 by introducing a requirement for the exercise of the powers of Council to be in line with the National Health Policy as determined by the Minister.

The amendment marked the launch of a new era in the history of medical and health regulations – stepping stones to a brighter future in health care for all.

Today, the HPCSA, in conjunction with its 12 Professional Boards, is strongly committed to promoting the health of the population, determining standards of professional education and training, and setting and maintaining excellent standards of ethical and professional practice.

Vacancies

There are currently no vacancies.