Mrs. Teresa Basson

Teresa Basson qualified as a Professional Nurse and Midwife at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1978. She is the founder of Hidden Treasure and has successfully opened 18 charity stores throughout South Africa. Tere and her husband John have both served in pastoral ministry for over 40 years in various churches. She is currently the ministry coordinator of The International Community Church. The news of the nursing crisis in our nation, the resulting decline in health service delivery mobilized Tere into action. Her personal faith and commitment to help those in need, has led to the birth of The Exceptional Nurse Campaign.

Prof. Brian Allwood

Brian Allwood is a consultant pulmonologist and lecturer in the Division of Pulmonology at the Stellenbosch University. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, and completed his training as a Specialist Physician in 2008, and Consultant Pulmonologist in 2012, through the University of Cape Town (UCT). He also attained a Masters in Public Health in Clinical Research in 2012, and completed his PhD in 2014 at UCT, which evaluated the link between tuberculosis and subsequent development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

His clinical role at Tygerberg Academic Hospital has highlighted a number of important clinical needs and research questions unique to the African context. He completed a years Fellowship in clinical pulmonary hypertension at the Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, USA) in 2018. Currently his major focus is on pulmonary hypertension, interstitial and destructive lung diseases, with a major research interest in the long term consequences and management of post-tuberculosis respiratory diseases.

Apart from research, he has a strong interest in clinical medicine, and remains passionate about serving in less privileged communities both in South Africa and Africa as a whole. To achieve this, he places emphasis both on improving and expanding current pulmonology services, as well as teaching and training of medical students and junior doctors.

Mr. Tom Johnston

Tom Johnston is an elder at Connect Church in Cape Town. Since Tere brought the predicament of nursing in South Africa to the attention of the church’s eldership, he has had a growing passion to become involved in doing something about it. He is one of the founding Directors of Supply Chain Consulting Company. Prior to that held senior executive positions in the fuel industry for 25 years. He is married to Jacquie, an educational therapist, and has 2 children.

Tom holds BSc and BA degrees from the University of Cape Town as well as an MBA from the University of Witwatersrand.

Prof. Judy Bruce

Judy Bruce is an experienced nurse academic and recently retired Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She obtained her undergraduate degree in Nursing from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and her postgraduate degrees from Wits.

Her research and teaching expertise links closely to development of nursing programmes, people and the profession, which drives her passion for capacity development, academic citizenship and mentoring young academics. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards for excellence in teaching, research and citizenship, including an international (Sigma) award for her impact on the lives and careers of others through mentoring.

Dr. Noxolo Gqada

Dr. Noxolo Gqada – Consultant, Medical Business and Health Administration.

Sr. Veronica Taschl

Sr. Veronica Taschl – Stakeholder Manager, Department of Health.

Prof. Rene Phetlhu

Prof. Rene Phetlhu – Head of Nursing Science Department, Sefaka Makgatho University. Rene Phetlhu is professional nurse with vast experience in both clinical practice and academia. Her leadership included heading multiple portfolios at University of the Western Cape School of Nursing, Head of Nursing department at North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Director of TB programme at TB HIV Care and currently Head of the Nursing department at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She obtained her nursing diploma from Western Transvaal College of Nursing; Advanced Diploma in nursing science (RAU); BA Ed & Ad; MCur; PhD (NWU-Potch campus); Strategy Execution (WITS).

Her work is driven by the health of communities which is directly influenced by disease prevention and health promotion strategies as well as the quality of care they receive in health facilities. This guided her research work which is related to TB and HIV (stigma, implementation of policies, quality care), and work environments.  She is passionate about mentoring young leaders, a goal she set during her reign as the president of the African Chapter of Sigma and undertook in different forums.

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas – After graduating from Rhodes University with a BA degree majoring in English and History. Chris started teaching English at Queen’s College in Queenstown. A promotion post at Stirling High School in East London followed. During his time in East London he served on the council of Stirling Baptist Church and the regional executive of Scripture Union.

In 2007 he was promoted to the post of principal of St Andrews School in Bloemfontein. He retired in 2020 and moved to Cape Town. He is married with three children.