Directors

Independent Directors

Mr Douw van der Walt

Chairperson, FPD Group & Health Science Academy

B.Com, CAIB (SA), MBL, AEP (UNISA), TGM (INSEAD), PGCHE (Pret)

Year Joined: 2002
Age: 55 - 65

Douw Gerbrand van der Walt stands out as a formidable leader in business and education, whose illustrious career encompasses significant contributions to banking, finance, management development, and higher education. As the current Chairman of the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) Group of Companies and the Health Science Academy (Pty) Ltd, Douw applies his extensive experience and strategic acumen to steer these organizations towards fulfilling their mission of enhancing human capital in South Africa and internationally.
With a career that extends over two decades in various non-executive directorial roles, Douw has honed a deep understanding of corporate governance, strategic oversight, and financial stewardship across diverse sectors. His journey in the financial sector began in the trenches of retail banking, eventually ascending to prominent executive positions in Corporate and Investment Banking. During this time, he played a pivotal role in spearheading innovative financial strategies, enhancing operational efficiencies, and promoting sustainable growth practices within major banking institutions, both locally and internationally.
Transitioning from finance to academia marked a pivotal turn in Douw’s career, reflecting his passion for knowledge and mentorship. As an academic, he has imparted his vast knowledge of banking and finance through lectures and management programs aimed at university students, nurturing a new generation of professionals equipped to face the dynamic challenges of the financial industry.
Douw’s commitment to excellence and professional development is also evident in his consultancy roles, where his expert advice is frequently sought after by various industries. His strategic foresight, coupled with a profound grasp of market dynamics and corporate governance, makes him an invaluable asset to organizations aiming to navigate the complexities of today's economic environment.
As the chairperson of FPD and its subsidiary Health Science Academy, Douw continues to champion the advancement of professional development, research and system strengthening. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to excellence, mentorship, and the enhancement of capacities that drive significant growth across various professional fields. Under his guidance, both institutions strive to set benchmarks in educational standards and professional growth, empowering a broad spectrum of professionals to achieve their potential and contribute meaningfully to their industries and communities.

Mrs Ida Asia

B.Cur (Hons), MA (Nursing),
MBL

Year Joined: 2005
Age: 55 - 65

Ms Ida Asia is the Managing Director of Jhpiego South Africa and serves on the FPD board of directors. Previously Ms Asia worked in the Save the Children UK, Pretoria, South Africa as a Health Advisor for 2 years. As a Managing Director Jhpiego South Africa, Ms Ida Asia provides overall strategic direction, managerial guidance and oversight, cultivates strategic relationships and works very closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Development, partners and other stakeholders. She is responsible for coordinating activity programming, action plan formulation and presentation of Jhpiego South Africa’s financial oversight and business development activities. Ms Asia has more than 21 years of dynamic leadership experience in the health field in South Africa. She has cultivated an intimate knowledge of the South African health system through her work as a Clinical trainer, and in Human Resources and Technical Management capacities. She has contributed to health systems strategies and held senior management positions focusing on health systems development within a number of national and international organisations.

Directors Representing Shareholders

Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa

MBCHB (UKZN), Dip Occhealth, (UKZN), Certified Chair Certificate at Directors Association

Year Joined: 2022
Age: 35 - 45

Chairman of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), general medical practitioner and occupational health practitioner in private practice.

Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa is a General Practitioner and he has been practicing at a private practice in Durban for more than 10 years. He obtained his Medical degree (MBChB) and a Diploma in Occupational Health from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

He is currently studying towards a Masters of Science in Diabetes at Warwick University, Ireland. Dr Mzukwa is a Medical Ethics Committee (MEC) member, a Socio-Medical Affairs (SMAC) member and a Review Committee Member of the World Medical Association (WMA). He has also served in the WMA council.

Dr Mohammed Abbas

MBChB (UCT), FCFP (SA), Dip Palliative Medicine (UCT) C.I.M.E. (A.B.I.M.E.)

Year Joined: 2011
Age: 55 - 65

Dr Mohammed Abbas is a Director at FPD and owns a private practice opened in 1992 to date. His professional career kicked off in 1989 where he worked as an Intern at Groote Schuur Hospital. He then worked as a SHO at Somerset Hospital for 6 months before going to Red Cross Children’s Hospital. In 1991, Dr Mohammed was working as a SHO at Groote Schuur Hospital prior to opening his own practice. Dr Mohammed received his MBChB and MCFP (SA) at University of Cape Town. Dr Mohammed has been a member of professional medical associations; he was the Treasurer of the SAMA Cape Town for 4 years prior to being the Secretary of the DAFA. He was then afforded the opportunity to be the Treasurer of DAFA. Amongst other memberships he held, He was also a board member and a Chairman of Finance committee at SAMA for 3 years.

Executive Directors

Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt

Founder

MBChB (Pret), M.Med (Int) (Pret), FCP (SA), AMP (MBS) PGCHE (Pret)

Year Joined: 2000
Age: 55 - 65

Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt is an internal medicine specialist, global public health expert, and Founder and Managing Director of the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD). He served as South Africa’s first Health Attaché in Geneva, helping restore the country’s international health relations after apartheid and contributing to key global public health initiatives, including the WHO resolution declaring violence a major global public health issue in 1996.

He played an important role in establishing UNAIDS and chaired the 3rd session of its Programme Co-ordination Board. Under his leadership, FPD has implemented major USAID- and CDCfunded health programmes addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, gender-based violence, mental health, and health system strengthening. These initiatives have supported over **1.1 million people** to start lifesaving HIV treatment and conducted **more than 12 million HIV tests**.

Dr Wolvaardt has also been a key figure in advancing health leadership and management training in Africa, with programmes that have trained **over 6,000 health managers from 13 countries**, including collaborations with Yale School of Public Health and Alliance Manchester Business School. He continues to lead initiatives expanding access to high-quality leadership development through online education and has contributed to numerous international health organizations and advisory boards.

Dr Gloria Maimela

CEO

MBBCH (Wits); MBA (GIBS)

Year Joined: 2024
Age: 45 - 55

Dr Maimela is a seasoned Medical Doctor with over 20 years of experience in the clinical field. She is a renowned Public Health Specialist with expertise in Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) in the areas of HIV/AIDS/TB, and in the intersection of Climate Change and Health. She is currently the Deputy CEO at FPD, a South African-registered Private Higher Education Institution. She provides oversight on key FPD clusters including Research, HSS, Conferencing and other essential projects. Dr Maimela will also be leading the recently established Climate Change and Health unit at FPD, focusing largely on capacity building and HSS.

Prior to this, Dr Maimela led the Climate and Health Directorate at the Wits RHI where she led climate and health research studies in collaboration with international partners, including WHO. These studies are funded by the European Union (HIGH Horizons) and the Wellcome Trust. Dr Maimela remains a co-investigator in these studies.

Dr Maimela is an FPD and Dira Sengwe Board member. She chaired the SAAIDS conference in 2023. Additionally, she is a Steering Committee member of the Africa Telehealth Collaboration that seeks to expand telehealth in the African region; and the Climate and Health Africa Network for Collaboration and Engagement (CHANCE) that aims to advance regional climate and health policy through knowledge translation.