Celebrating our latest ad hominem promotions for 2026

26 Nov 2025
Ad Hominem promotions
26 Nov 2025

Dear Staff and Student Colleagues 
We are privileged to work in a place long known by the First Nations as Igamirodi !khaes — the place of the stars. It is a reminder that our strength as a Faculty lies in the many individuals who bring their distinct talents, perspectives, and commitments to our shared academic and scientific mission. Together, these contributions form the constellation that is the Faculty of Health Sciences.

It is therefore a pleasure to recognise a group of colleagues whose lights shine especially brightly this year. These individuals have undergone rigorous peer review and have demonstrated excellence across multiple domains of academic and professional practice. Their promotions, which take effect on 1 January 2026, reflect sustained achievement and a clear commitment to advancing the work of the Faculty.

In their portfolios, colleagues demonstrated: 

  • High-quality research and scholarly contributions
  • Outstanding teaching and learning practices
  • Excellence in scientific and technical roles central to our academic project
  • Effective leadership and stewardship
  • A strong commitment to social responsiveness and public good 

We congratulate each colleague on reaching this important career milestone. Their achievements enrich not only their individual disciplines, but the Faculty as a whole.

Please join us in celebrating the following promotions:

 

 


 

Congratulations

Senior Research Officer

  • Edina Amponsah-Dacosta
  • Renee De Waal

Principal Scientific Officer

  • Katherine Lennard
  • Andrew Nel

Chief Scientific Officer

  • Megan Petersen

Chief Technical Officer

  • Simphiwe Gumede
  • Thulisa Mtakazo

Principal Research Officer

  • Suraj Parihar

Senior Lecturer

  • Celeste De Vaal
  • Nadia MusimbiIkumi
  • Mnika Khuthala

Lecturer

  • Frissiano Honwana

Chief Research Officer

  • Emily Garman
  • Simon Mendelsohn
  • Virginie Rozot

Principal Clinical Educator

  • Ilse Du Plessis

 


 

Halala

Promotion to Associate Professor

  • Christella Alphonsus
  • Zunaid Barday
  • Rachael Dangarembizi
  • Alina Esterhuizen
  • Rebecca Gray
  • Paul Matjila
  • Keren Middelkoop
  • Clinton Moodley
  • Shiraz Moosa
  • Stuart More
  • Marc Nortje
  • Marsha Orgill
  • Shakti Pillay
  • Riyaadh Roberts
  • Qonita Said- Hartley
  • Shamiel Salie
  • Kate Webb

Full Professor

  • Joel Dave
  • Lionel Green -Thompson
  • Alan Horn
  • Lucia Knight
  • Maritz Laubscher
  • Mosedi Namane
  • Aneesa Vanker
  • Nicola Wearne

 


 

Congratulations to all. We look forward to the contributions you will make with your unique talents and skills. May your passion for and commitment to your fields burn even brighter in our rich galaxy.

Kaise Gangans
Associate Professor Lionel Green-Thompson
Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences