Sustaining Progress and Elevating Young People: Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala’s Path Forward for the Africa Health Collaborative 

Country

Rwanda

The Africa Health Collaborative (the Health Collaborative) welcomes Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala, Provost & Vice Chancellor of African Leadership University and African Leadership College of Higher Education, as the new Chair of the Executive Steering Committee (ESC). Prof. Thwala succeeds Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of KNUST. He will continue to advance the priorities established by the ESC, focusing on empowering young leaders and reinforcing the organization’s dedication to research and evidence-based decision-making. 

His approach is rooted in optimism and a strong commitment to creating lasting change that will help Africa address pressing health challenges. 

Building on Strong Foundations 

Prof. Thwala’s leadership is centered on continuity, a key theme he emphasized in his first address as Chair. He expressed excitement about keeping the Collaborative’s momentum and maintaining the progress built by members of the collaborative to date.

“We’re going to continue to pursue the interest of the collaborative, build on our significant strengths, and continue to explore ways to have a broader impact on both the young people and on policy and practice,” he shared, explaining his commitment to sustaining a strong foundation for growth.  

Empowering Young Leaders 

Empowering the next generation of African leaders is central to Prof. Thwala’s vision for the Health Collaborative. He sees young people as crucial partners in creating a healthier Africa and believes in giving them not only responsibility but also the resources they need to succeed.

“Our job is to build the next generation, and this is something I would like to ensure is a key focus for the Executive Steering Committee this year,” he said warmly. “We talked about giving responsibility to young people, but we also have to enable them and provide them with financial support.” 

One exciting way Prof. Thwala is supporting young leaders is through the continuation of the Collaborative’s hackathons. These events challenge young people to think creatively about health issues and offer support to turn ideas into real solutions. He expressed enthusiasm for the next hackathon, hosted by KNUST, as a fantastic opportunity to engage students in hands-on problem-solving.

“We’re not looking for young people to show up only when there’s fun,” he noted. “It’s showing up when there is no fun as well. So active participation will be critical.”  

Some young leaders participating at the 2024 Annual Convening held in Ghana

Staying Grounded in Core Pillars and Research 

Another significant focus of Prof. Thwala’s tenure is the Health Collaborative’s core pillars (Health Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Ecosystem), which serve as a foundation for the Collaborative’s actions and initiatives. He stressed the importance of continuous reporting and accountability to the Steering Committee, ensuring all members remain informed and engaged in the progress of each pillar.

“The success of this Collaborative rests on our ability to collectively support the pillars that we have identified,” he explained. 

Central to these efforts is a commitment to further developing research to help guide evidence-based decision-making. Prof. Thwala echoed the importance of solid, data-driven foundations for the Health Collaborative’s initiatives.

“Professor Ellis has already indicated that we have identified research as the basis of our work as a collaborative. Evidence-based decision-making is what we will be about,” he noted, highlighting research as an essential tool for achieving meaningful outcomes and informed strategies. 

Focusing on Sustainability and Policy Impact 

Prof. Thwala is committed to a sustainable future for the Collaborative, aiming for long-term benefits across African communities. A key part of this vision is engaging policymakers, particularly within the African Union and other spheres of government, to align health and education policies.

“We should make efforts to connect with policymakers…so that education is transformed in relation to the health sector,” he said, underscoring his goal to shape policies that advance health initiatives continent-wide. 

A Humble Acceptance and Optimistic Future 

In closing, Prof. Thwala expressed both humility and enthusiasm for his role as Chair of the Health Collaborative’s Executive Steering Committee.

“Thank you very much. I humbly accept the responsibility of being the chair of the Executive Steering Committee” he said with a smile.  

Prof. Thwala’s vision of continuity, empowering young people, solid foundations in research, and sustainability represents a forward-thinking approach for the Health Collaborative. Under his leadership, the Collaborative is well-positioned to make meaningful progress toward a healthier, more resilient Africa, driven by collaboration, integrity, and the belief that lasting change is within reach.