HPCSA new head is Dr Magome Masike

THE Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has at last got a new head. Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has appointed Dr Magome Masike as the new registrar/CEO.

Masike assumes his new role with effect from today. Masike takes over the reins from Dr Thabo Pinkoane, who led the organisation in an acting capacity for the past eight months while the appointment process for the registrar position was under way.

Masike is well known in the medical industry, as he was a MEC for Health in the North West province from 2010 to 2018.

The HPCSA said his achievements as a leader in health care included his leading role in the amalgamation of Tshepong and Klerksdorp public hospitals.

He holds an MBChB and a Masters in Business Administration. He is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Philosophy in public health.

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.

Masike’s other prominent roles include business development director of health care at Oracle South Africa. He was chairperson of the North-West Provincial Tender Board, a member of the Provincial Legislature and chairperson of the portfolio committee for finance in the Office of the Premier.

Masike was also the president resident of the South African Medical Association in the North West and a member of the University Council of the Medical University of Southern Africa.

He was the chairperson of the North West Parks Board from 2019 until last year 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.

The HPCSA said the appointment has been hailed as a step in the right direction that would go a long way in bringing much needed stability to the organisation.

“The new registrar boasts a wealth of knowledge in the health-care sector, as well as extensive experience in leadership and governance. He is also no stranger to the HPCSA, having served as chairperson of the undesirable business practice committee and as a member of the audit committee,” the HPCSA said.

Pinkoane acted as the head of the HPCSA after its former registrar, Dr David Motau, was in 2021 placed on precautionary suspension pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct. This came only two months after his appointment.

The cautionary suspension related to Motau being criminally charged at the time, relating to his former tenure as a head of the department of health in the Free State province.

Motau last year lost his legal bid to have his suspension overturned. The matter was at the time struck from the roll due to a lack of urgency.