Changing guard at Department of Medicine

Three new top appointments at UCT's Department of Medicine - all black staff - are proof that the university is well on its way to becoming "a home for all South Africans". This is the view of department head Professor Bongani Mayosi, who says the appointments also show that UCT is, indeed, "growing its own timber".

Professor Mpiko Ntsekhe has been appointed head of cardiology, Professor Keertan Dheda head of pulmonology, and Professor Nonhlanhla Khumalo head of dermatology.

"For some time now UCT has been trying to appoint black scholars of international repute. Here we have been fortunate to appoint three in one fell swoop," said Mayosi.

It's also unusual that all three are scientists as well as doctors; global players in their fields, with substantial records of published scholarship between them. And to top it all, they all "came through the ranks" at UCT.

"They were part of our succession strategy, and their appointments show that UCT is truly planning for its future," said Mayosi.

Ntsekhe, who earned his degree in the US and trained as a cardiologist at UCT, is a world expert on pericarditis, and now holds the Helen and Morris Mauerberger Chair in Cardiology.

Khumalo is one of the world's leading experts on disorders affecting African hair, while Dheda is a leading pulmonary expert who earned his PhD at University College in London.