About Us

Who we are

The Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) is a division of WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM that seeks to promote fair and equal access to quality healthcare for rural communities throughout South Africa. RHAP identifies and supports health policy and financing strategies that address systemic disparities that disadvantage rural areas and vulnerable populations in the public health sector by partnering with government, civil society, healthcare providers, and communities across the country. In the next decade, RHAP aims to influence the National Health Insurance Fund (NHI) and play a crucial role in the health system’s reorganization. This is to ensure that all South Africans have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socio-economic status or location.

MISSION & VISION

RHAP’s vision is a health system where rural communities are able to access equitable, quality health care services.

Our mission is to promote, protect and realise the right to rural health care by connecting practice, policy, and partners.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RURAL PROOFING POLICIES

Ensuring that existing and new policies speak to the rural context and properly protect the right to health for rural communities.

FINANCING RURAL HEALTH CARE

Promoting adequate budgeting, efficient spending, and accountable processes that improves access to rural health care.

HUMAN RESOURCES FOR RURAL HEALTH (HR4RH)

Advocating for more equitable distribution of advocacy-competent health care workers in rural health care.

MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION

Documenting and acting on service delivery problems, and encouraging good practices in rural areas by working strategically

THEORY OF CHANGE

We believe that achieving more responsive policies, adequate funding, sufficient health care workers, and effective implementation contributes towards strengthening our rural healthcare systems. Driving this process, however, requires an active and empowered Voice from Rural Communities and Health Care Workers.

Meet the Team

Russell Rensburg Director

Wendy Ovens Programme Operations Manager

Zimbini Madikiza Outreach and Training Coordinator

Cassandra Jagesar Operations Coordinator

Mashudu Nkhumeleni Project Administrator

Nthabiseng Makhubedu Finance Officer

Sihle Mahonga TBAC Project Coordinator

Refilwe Mokgopa TBAC Project Assistant

Aphelele Buqwana TBAC Communications Assistant

Celene Coleman Junior Researcher

Hanifa Mahlangu Research Assistant

Palesa Chidi Communications Officer

Admire Maluleke Communications Officer

Boitumelo Maphoroma Project Assistant

Our Board

RHAP is a division of the Wits Health Consortium.

To further support effective governance and direction, RHAP also has an independent Board of voluntary representatives from rural health worker associations, communities, academia, human rights lawyers, civil society partners and thematic experts.

RHAP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Daphney Nozizwe Conco – Exco Chairperson
Dr. Desmond Kegakilwe – Chairperson
Prof. Haroon Salojee – Exco Member
Prof. Steve Reid – Treasurer
Prof. Ian Couper – Member
Ms. Erika Bostok (Rural Rehab South Africa) – Member
Dr. Bernhard Gaede – Member
Ms. Daniela Goeieman (PACASA) – Member

Prof. Lionel Green-Thompson – Member
Ms. Thembekwa Gwagwa – Member
Mr. Mark Heywood – Member
Dr. Guin Lourens (Rural Nursing South Africa) – Member
Mr. Nhlanhla Ndlovu – Member
Ms. Ntombiyenkosi Nkosi – Member
Ms. Sasha Stevenson (Section27) – Member
Ms. Sibongile Tshabalala (Treatment Action Campaign) – Member

Partner Organisations

Our vision cannot be achieved by RHAP alone. We are grateful for the many partner organisations that have over the years supported, strengthened, and complemented the work of the Rural Health Advocacy Project.

Our Donors

A special acknowledgement to Atlantic Philanthropies who provided seed funding that led to the establishment of RHAP in 2009, and for their years of ongoing support.

We also thank our current donors that continue to make significant investments in the work and mandate of the RHAP, including the Open Society Foundation, The Raith Foundation, and Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.