Zoleka Ngcete is a Senior Programme Manager at the Grants, Innovation and Product Development division of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), where she manages the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships and Grand Challenges South Africa programmes. The programmes are focused on supporting the discovery and development of health innovations aimed at improving health outcomes and/or social benefit for South Africa and other low-resource settings.

Zoleka has 15 years’ experience in research and innovation programme management. Previous roles include managing the South African Malaria Initiative at the University of Pretoria and at BioPAD and working as a Business Development Manager and Regional Head at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).