Page 33 - SAMRC Annual Performance Plan 2026-27

9.3.3 SAMRC President & CEO the emerging age of wisdom and digitized 21st
The Board appointed Professor Ntusi as the new century, SAMRC delivers impactful science through
st
SAMRC President and CEO, effective 1 July 2024. its people, to serve as a national asset to support
A distinguished and highly respected figure in the existing and new research areas, initiatives and
medical community, Prof. Ntusi brings a wealth of capacity development in the health research and
expertise and leadership to his new role. His lifelong innovation arena in line with the SAMRC mandate.
passion for evidence-based healthcare, health
systems research, and universal health coverage has There are numerous challenges in the health
positioned him as a trailblazer in medical research. research sector and growing threat about future
Prof. Ntusi's commitment to advancing medical capacity of critical healthcare research skills. It is in
research and his passion for improving healthcare this context that SAMRC continues to invest in, and
outcomes align perfectly with the SAMRC's mission transform human resources for health in support
to advance the nation’s health and quality of life of a high-quality health system by deploying a
and to address inequity by conducting and funding transformative and human capital-enhancing
relevant and responsive health research, capacity integrated Talent Management Framework. The HR
development, innovation, and research translation. strategic framework is a core management practice
At the top of Prof. Ntusi’s agenda is to collaborate for optimizing human resources capability to meet
with the talented team at SAMRC to further its current and future challenges within SAMRC. The
impact on healthcare and research, driving positive framework adds value in developing resilience in the
change in South Africa and beyond. SAMRC’s most important asset, its people.
The integrated Talent Management Framework
9.3.4 The Executive Management Committee aims to enhance and embed a talent-driven and
The SAMRC Board has designated an Executive
Management Committee (EMC), which consists of people-first culture that promotes a conducive
the SAMRC President and CEO and other members, and supportive working environment through a
who are employees of the SAMRC. The EMC is range of HR activities associated with attracting,
subject to the directives and control of the Board appointing, developing, and retaining employees
and is responsible for the management of the affairs for positive employee experience and optimizing
of the SAMRC in accordance with the objects and the performance of the SAMRC, while transforming
policies of the SAMRC. the equity profile to reflect the demographics of the
country.
9.3.5 People Management On 31 March 2025, the SAMRC had 745 employees,
The SAMRC has an important role to play in
improving the state of health in the country through with the spread according to the following
leading health research and innovation. Thus, in demographic profiles:

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