In a congratulatory message to the Chancellor, Prof Lourens van Staden, the Tshwane University of Technology’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, wished Dr Ramokgopa well on her new appointment.

She succeeds Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, who resigned in the wake of the health ombud’s report into the death of 94 mentally ill patients after they were moved from the licensed Life Esidimeni private homes to 27 unlicensed facilities.

Renowned as an advocate for youth empowerment and gender equality, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa has been a social and political activist over many decades. In her various roles and responsibilities Dr Ramokgopa has demonstrated her passion and commitment on issues of justice, leadership, innovation and excellence.

As an anti-Apartheid activist, she occupied various leadership positions including in student organisations, women's organisations, professional health associations and in the African National Congress.

Dr Gwen Ramokgopa qualified as a medical doctor (MBCHB) in 1989 and attained her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in 2007. She has undertaken other postgraduate level studies in Public Health, Health Economics and Strategic Management and Marketing.

As a health professional, Dr Ramokgopa worked as a Medical Officer at the Dr George Mukhari (then Ga-Rankuwa) Hospital until 1992, when she joined the Independent Development Trust (IDT) as National Health Programme Manager. In 1995 she was invited by the MEC for Health to participate on the Strategic Management Team and later as a Medical Advisor, assisting in the establishment of an integrated, unified and de-racialised Gauteng Department of Health.

She was appointed as the Deputy Minister for Health in 2010, a position she held until 2014.

For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology, please contact Willa de Ruyter on tel: 012 382 5352 or send an email to deruyterw@tut.ac.za.