Join Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala for an exploration of how Africa can revolutionize its healthcare systems by merging indigenous systems with entrepreneurial ingenuity.
We will delve into the strengths and limitations of both Western and Indigenous health practices and discuss how to create an integrated approach that caters to the unique needs of African communities. The session will also discuss how the African Leadership University (ALU) is leveraging research, data and entrepreneurial mindset to transform Africa’s healthcare systems and build sustainable solutions through its School of Health: Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Health Systems.
What you’ll learn:
- The historical context of African health systems
- The role of cultural identity in health practices
- Entrepreneurial solutions for Africa’s health systems
- ALU’s leadership in health system transformation
About the Speaker (Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala)
Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala has a distinguished 34-year career in academia and leadership. He began his career as a high school teacher in Eswatini in 1986 and holds an MA in Linguistics from Syracuse University and a PhD in Formal Linguistics from UCLA. His academic journey includes serving as a Visiting Scholar at Indiana University and holding senior positions at Wits University, where he was the founding Head of the School of Literature, Language, and Media.
Prof. Thwala has also served as Managing Director of CTI Education Group and Academic Director at Pearson Institute. He currently holds the position of Provost and Vice Chancellor at the African Leadership University (Rwanda) and the African Leadership College of Higher Education (Mauritius). His extensive leadership experience continues to shape higher education across Africa. He represents ALU on the Africa Health Collaborative’s Executive Steering Committee as a Member and Chair designate.
More News & Events
Skip scroller content
Engineering Dignity: Designing Low-Cost Prosthetics in the University of Cape Town’s MedTech Lab
Read about how Jemila Abdulai’s internship at UCT’s MedTech Lab strengthened her commitment to human-centered engineering, demonstrating how affordable innovations like the ADL Arm can expand access, restore dignity, and transform lives in underserved communities.
Graduate Scholarship Opportunities at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Apply for graduate (MPh, MSc, MPhil, PhD) scholarships at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Digital Storytelling & Co-Design in Africa’s Healthcare Landscape
Join this webinar to explore how Digital Storytelling (DST) and Co-Design can transform health systems by centering the people who live the stories.
Africa Health Collaborative Convening to Spotlight Youth, African-Led Innovation, and Systems Change in Primary Health Care
The 2025 Convening will bring together leaders and innovators from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to explore practical solutions for strengthening Africa’s primary health care systems through workforce development, entrepreneurship, institutional collaboration, and innovation.
Young Innovators Reimagining Ethiopia’s Health Future
The Africa Health Collaborative at Addis Ababa University brought youthful energy and big ideas to the spotlight at its Health Startups Panel Discussion and Pitch Competition.
Health Entrepreneurship Dialogue- The Journey of a Health Entrepreneur
The Health Entrepreneurship Dialogue by Amref Health Africa brings together bold thinkers, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of health across Africa and beyond.
Beyond the Pitch: The Stories Driving FemSTEM Africa 2025
In Kigali, six women took the stage — each carrying a story shaped by experience. From newborn survival to menstrual health and maternal care, their ventures were more than ideas; they were solutions born from lived realities.
Building Community-Led Health Futures in Cape Town
Learn about how the University of Cape Town is partnering with communities in South Africa to co-create health solutions for better health outcomes
2026-2027 Graduate Scholarships Open at the University of Toronto
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2026-2027 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to those individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in the associated health-related […]
Displaced into Purpose: From Kakuma Refugee Camp to the World Health Organization
This is the story of a young person’s journey from Kakuma Refugee Camp to the WHO – showing how lived experience can drive innovation in global health My name is Kuol Maper Alier. I was born in South Sudan, but my early life was shaped by displacement, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. I […]