Page 7 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

GENERAL INFORMATION

committed to supporting our government's priorities, President and CEO. In the same breath, we are
strategies, and frameworks to achieve that. grateful to Professor Glenda Gray, who has been
in the driving seat for the past 10 years. During
The SAMRC takes pride in its proactive her tenure, Professor Gray has been instrumental
communication and dissemination of research in resource mobilisation, and maintenance of
findings and innovative solutions. We remain collaborative research, as well as her commitment
dedicated to fostering transformation and capacity to addressing transformation in medical science
development within the field of medical science through various programmes. With this remarkable
research. This is evidenced by our investments track record, the SAMRC is poised to fulfil its
in nurturing the talents of PhD candidates, post- mandate of enhancing South Africa's health and
doctoral fellows, and early to mid-career scientists. quality of life through rigorous health research. In

Moreover, SAMRC operates with streamlined her forthcoming full-time science role, Professor
corporate support functions, optimising efficiency Gray will leverage her extensive experience to
and ensuring that resources are directed towards deliver impactful scientific outcomes. She reassures
our core mission. We are committed to remaining her unwavering commitment to the SAMRC and
at the forefront of advancing health outcomes and the medical research community. On behalf of the
contributing meaningfully to the advancement of Board, Senior Executive team, and the entire SAMRC
medical research in South Africa. community, collective appreciation is extended to
Professor Gray for her diligent service to the SAMRC,
The organisation is also entering the final leg of South Africa, Africa and the World. We also offer our
its 2020/21 to 2024/25 strategic plan and will soon unwavering support to Professor Ntusi, and we wish
embark on preparing the strategic plan 2025/26 him well in the new role.
to 2029/30, which will focus on developing clear
strategic goals and objectives and regularly In conclusion, our sincere appreciation goes to the
monitoring and evaluating its performance against Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, the entire National
these targets. Department of Health, the SAMRC Executive
Management and staff and our stakeholders for their
From a risk management point of view, the SAMRC support and contribution in making the SAMRC the
has a robust system in place to identify, assess, and organisation that it is today.
mitigate risks to its operations and reputation. This
involves conducting regular risk assessments and
implementing appropriate measures to manage and
mitigate identified risks.

In the financial year 2024/25, there is a change
in the office of the SAMRC President and CEO as Professor Johnny Mahlangu
we welcome Professor Ntobeko Ntusi as the new SAMRC Board Chairperson

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24 5