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Dr Ntombi Sigwebela joined the organization on 1 June 2023. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, she will lead FIND (https://www.FINDdx.org/) operations across the region

FIND announced today that Dr Ntombenhle Mhlongo-Sigwebela, known as “Ntombi”, has joined the organization to lead FIND operations across the Southern Africa region.

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr Sigwebela is a South African medical doctor with over 20 years of experience in the field of infectious diseases of public health importance, including tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. She began her career as a clinical investigator in multi-country clinical trials for HIV drugs and HIV service delivery demonstration projects that informed the roll out of antiretroviral drugs in South Africa. She then moved into various leadership roles including Chief of Party at Right to Care, and Regional Director of Aquity Innovations, University Research Company (URC).

A passionate advocate for the health and well-being of people living with TB, HIV and other diseases of public health concern, Dr Sigwebela has served on advisory committees for organizations including the World Health Organization and the South African National Department of Health. She has contributed to the development of various TB-related guidelines in various Southern African countries, as well as the South Africa TB National Strategic Plan (2007–2011), and the South Africa HIV/TB National Strategic Plan (2012–2016).

Dr Sigwebela is also a frequent speaker at conferences and events on topics related to TB, HIV, and other infectious diseases.

FIND opened a regional office in South Africa in 2014, to work with partners towards advancing diagnostic access and improving health outcomes in the region. Strategic priorities include aiding achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) aligned with the goals of South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI), reducing the country's quadruple disease burden, and strengthening health systems. FIND is committed to enhancing the quality of primary healthcare services across the region, in recognition of the importance of patient-centred testing and care in achieving UHC.

Dr Sanjay Sarin, FIND Vice President, Access, said: “Ntombi has a wealth of expertise in operations management, resource mobilization and health programme management, working across the Southern Africa region and globally. We are excited to welcome her to our team – working hand-in-hand with countries, her leadership will help us tailor our approaches to their specific needs in diagnostic testing, to ensure that our programmatic activities can have sustainable impact.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIND.

Media contact:
Sarah-Jane Loveday, Director, Communications
M: +41 79 431 62 44
media@finddx.org

About FIND:
FIND is accelerating equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world. We are working to close critical testing gaps that leave people at risk from preventable and treatable illnesses, enable effective disease surveillance, and build sustainable, resilient health systems. In partnership with WHO, other global health agencies and the G20/G7, we are driving progress towards global health security and universal health coverage. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Evaluation. For more information, please visit www.FINDx.org/

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (http://www.EnergyChamber.org), voice of the African energy sector, is proud to announce that Stefano Marani, CEO of integrated renewable energy producer and helium and natural gas company, Renergen, will participate as a speaker at the African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 interactive conference and exhibition, taking place from 16-20 October in Cape Town, South Africa.

Having pioneered the use of natural gas in heavy-duty vehicles – thus leading efforts towards the decarbonization of South Africa's transport sector – and with substantial gas reserves in the country's Free State Province, Renergen's efforts in showcasing how natural gas production can drive economic growth have demonstrated that there is ample room for natural gas production in the southern African country.

Marani has been instrumental in taking the dual-listed company's acquired gas fields from a stranded asset into production. What's more, Marani has highlighted the need for South Africa to leverage its natural gas resources to promote a less carbon-intensive substitute for the country's existing transport, thermal and power generation fuels.

With a significant energy deficit in South Africa, new sources of fuel for thermal power plants offer a glimmer of hope for a nation reeling from unprecedented power shortages and blackouts. Renergen's three conventional gas fields in the Free State – Theunissen, Virginia and Welkom – are collectively estimated to contain up to 407 billion cubic feet of conventional natural gas. As such, the company has sought to transform its reserves into a larger scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

In September 2022, Renergen became South Africa's first and sole producer of LNG following the start-up of its onshore gas liquefaction plant. Output from the plant is poised to reduce the country's carbon footprint while promoting the Free State Province as a hub for the manufacturing of clean, sustainable energy.

“Renergen's considerable efforts towards driving and monetizing natural gas resources should serve as a clear message to investors that the upstream oil and gas industry is open for business in South Africa. Gas will help South Africa find ways to produce the additional electricity it needs to provide all of its citizens with reliable and secure power,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

As a result of its achievements in South Africa, Renergen has received expressions of interest from a multitude of large-scale industrial manufacturers, heavy logistics operators, and independent power producers. Additionally, the company's operations are poised for expansion in the coming years through the development and construction of the second Phase of the Virginia gas project, which is expected to provide an estimated 680 tons per day of LNG and up to one million standard cubic feet per day of liquid helium.

Organized by the AEC, AEW 2023 will unite energy stakeholders, global investors, and executives from across the public and private sector for a week of interactive conferences, exhibitions, panel discussions, investor forums, industry summits, and one-on-one meeting opportunities to drive African industry growth and development. As such, with his significant experience in the areas of structure finance and advisory solutions, Marani's participation at AEW 2023 is poised to showcase the lucrative and diverse opportunities for investment into natural gas development in South Africa.

African Energy Week (AEW) is the African Energy Chamber's (AEC) interactive exhibition and networking event, established in 2021, that seeks to unite African energy stakeholders, drive industry growth and development, and promote Africa as the destination for African-focused events.

To register and find out more information about African Energy Week 2023, click https://www.AECWeek.com/AEW-23/.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.