This document introduces Dr. Memory Muturiki, the Technical Head of the Adolescent Programme at Wits RHI. It provides details about her background and career experiences. She grew up in a rural village in Limpopo and studied medicine at Wits University, where she remained to work. Her responsibilities in her current role include developing innovative ideas to improve care for adolescents living with HIV and creating a replicable model. She is most proud of initiating the first obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga. In her free time, she enjoys water activities and dancing to Rihanna.

1. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
1
Esselen Street Clinic declared
a heritage site
Wits RHI employees tour
Constitution Hill
Introducing HillbrewIntroducing Hillbrew
Rotary Club donates to Shandukani’s new-
born babies
FACTS Annual Meeting
Awards and AppointmentsAwards and Appointments
WITS RHI NEWSLETTER | #4

2. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
2 2121
CONTENTS
Editor-in-Chief: Crabtree, ecrabtree@whri.ac.za
Editor: Fhatuwani Tshikororo, ftshikororo@wrhi.ac.za
Graphic Designer: Sipho Ndlovu, sindlovu@wrhi.ac.za
Special thanks to Noluthando Ncube for her contribution
Introducing Hillbrew...........................................................4
New Clinic brings health to ZF Mgcawu......................5
Professor Rees helps Minister
launch Family Planning Campaign................................6
Wits RHI employees tour Constitution Hill..................7
Esselen Street Clinic declared a heritage site.............8
Rotary Club donates to Shandukani’s newborn
babies.......................................................................................9
Zooming in on men’s health..........................................10
FACTS Annual Meeting....................................................11
Getting to know… Dr Memory Muturiki............12 -13
Know your Annual Leave Policy...................................14
Awards and Appointments............................................15
New Appointees................................................................16
It’s hard to believe, but 2014 sees Wits RHI turn 20! The Wits
Reproductive Health and HIV Institute was established in
1994 as the Reproductive Health Research Unit (RHRU) and
became Wits RHI on 1 October 2010. We’re sporting a
special logo for our 20th anniversary and have a number of
activitiesandeventslineduptomarktheoccasion.You’llbe
hearing more about that soon.
From modest beginnings 20 years ago our portfolio now
extends beyond sexual and reproductive health to
encompass HIV research and health service provision and a
wide range of infectious diseases including sexually
transmitted infections, tuberculosis and opportunistic
infections. We conduct research and provide programmatic
support, training, policy development, health systems
strengthening and technical assistance at national and
international level.
In the past few months our role in policy development and
technical support to the South African Government has
been apparent in the roll-out of two critically important
public health campaigns, both focused on the reproductive
health and rights of women and girls.
We have supported the National Department of Health in
developing the revised Contraceptive and Fertility Planning
Policy and Service Delivery Guidelines, which focus strongly
on long-acting contraceptive methods such as the
sub-dermalimplant.Long-actingcontraceptionplaysavital
role in preventing unintended pregnancies, particularly
among young women, though we continue to advocate
that it be used together with condoms to ensure dual
protection from pregnancy and STIs, including HIV.
Professor Rees, Dr Howard Manyonga and Melanie Pleaner,
all key advisers to Government on the drafting and
implementation of the policy, were present at the launch in
Tembisa on 27 February. Read more about it on page 6.
We were part of the roll-out of the schools HPV vaccine
campaign. This ground-breaking intervention, which will
protect against the main cause of cervical cancer, was
launched at Gonyane Primary School in Mangaung,
Bloemfontein on 12 March.
From the Editor’s desk
It’s hard to believe, but 2014 sees Wits RHI turn 20!
The Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute was
established in 1994 as the Reproductive Health Research
Unit (RHRU) and became Wits RHI on 1 October 2010.
We’re sporting a special logo for our 20th anniversary
and have a number of activities and events lined up to
mark the occasion. You’ll be hearing more about that
soon. To view the video of Professor Rees talking about
RHI 20, click here.
From modest beginnings 20 years ago our portfolio
now extends beyond sexual and reproductive health to
encompass HIV research and health service provision
and a wide range of infectious diseases including sexually
transmitted infections, tuberculosis and opportunistic
infections. We conduct research and provide
programmatic support, training, policy development,
health systems strengthening and technical assistance at
national and international level.
In the past few months our role in policy development
and technical support to the South African Government
has been apparent in the roll-out of two critically
important public health campaigns, both focused on the
reproductive health and rights of women and girls.
We have supported the National Department of Health
in developing the revised Contraceptive and Fertility
Planning Policy and Service Delivery Guidelines, which
focus strongly on long-acting contraceptive methods such
as the sub-dermal implant. Long-acting contraception
plays a vital role in preventing unintended pregnancies,
particularly among young women, though we continue
to advocate that it be used together with condoms
to ensure dual protection from pregnancy and STIs,
including HIV. Professor Rees, Dr Howard Manyonga
and Melanie Pleaner, all key advisers to Government
on the drafting and implementation of the policy, were
present at the launch in Tembisa on 27 February. Read
more about it on page 6. Click here to see photos from
the launch and a video of Professor Rees on SABC News.

3. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
3
Wits RHI Choir
Professor Rees and Dr Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, both
experts in the field of vaccines and HPV, made significant
contributions to the current policy; and Professor Rees
was present at the launch.
Shesaid,“Ithastakenalotofhardworktoreachthispoint;
and the introduction of the HPV vaccine to vulnerable
young girls is a huge step towards a significant reduction
in the rates of cervical cancer in South Africa. Cervical
screening remains an important intervention for women
whoarealreadysexuallyactive,butthenextgenerationof
young women will benefit from this protective vaccine.”
In an effort to ensure that family planning and other
reproductive health services are accessible to all South
Africans, the provision of adolescent- and youth-friendly
services is a key strategy. We are pleased to announce the
opening of the adolescent-friendly clinic at the Hillbrow
Community Health Centre (Ward 21), providing
comprehensive HIV and SRH services to adolescents, both
HIV-positive and negative, between the ages of 10 and 19.
We chat to Dr Memory Mutukiri, Technical Head,
Adolescent Programme, on page 12-13.
We have added another province to our geographical
reach: the Sex Worker Project, in conjunction with North
Star Alliance, opened a clinic for sex workers and truckers
in Upington, Northern Cape, in March. Professor Francois
Venter and Maria Sibanyoni, Programme Manager, SWP,
were at the launch. You can read about it on page 5.
To celebrate Human Rights Day in March, RHI colleagues
once again visited Constitution Hill to tour the Old Gaol
and the Constitutional Court. You can read what they had
to say about that on page 7. Five minutes’ walk away from
Constitution Hill, Esselen Clinic is also part of
Johannesburg’s heritage, and was awarded a heritage
plaque in February. The story is on page 8.
These are just a few of the stories you will find in these
pages, showcasing the life and times of RHI and keeping
you ‘wired’. We hope you enjoy reading this.
We welcome your feedback so that we can continually
improve the newsletter for you; and we invite you to send
us your news and snippets for the next issue. Send your
contributions to Fhatuwani Tshikororo
(ftshikororo@wrhi.ac.za or post on the Communications
page) by 15 June.
We were part of the roll-out of the schools HPV vaccine
campaign. This ground-breaking intervention, which will
protect against the main cause of cervical cancer, was
launched at Gonyane Primary School in Mangaung,
Bloemfontein on 12 March. Professor Rees and Dr
Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, both experts in the field of
vaccines and HPV, made significant contributions to the
current policy; and Professor Rees was present at the
launch.
She said, “It has taken a lot of hard work to reach
this point; and the introduction of the HPV vaccine
to vulnerable young girls is a huge step towards a
significant reduction in the rates of cervical cancer in
South Africa. Cervical screening remains an important
intervention for women who are already sexually active,
but the next generation of young women will benefit
from this protective vaccine.” You can listen to Professor
Rees on Talk 702 live from the launch here.
In an effort to ensure that family planning and other
reproductive health services are accessible to all South
Africans, the provision of adolescent- and youth-friendly
services is a key strategy. We are pleased to announce
the opening of the adolescent-friendly clinic at the
Hillbrow Community Health Centre (Ward 21), providing
comprehensive HIV and SRH services to adolescents,
both HIV-positive and negative, between the ages of
10 and 19. We chat to Dr Memory Mutukiri, Technical
Head, Adolescent Programme, on page 12-13.
We have added another province to our geographical
reach: the Sex Worker Project, in conjunction with
North Star Alliance, opened a clinic for sex workers and
truckers in Upington, Northern Cape, in March. Professor
Francois Venter and Maria Sibanyoni, Programme
Manager, SWP, were at the launch. You can read about
it on page 5.
To celebrate Human Rights Day in March, RHI colleagues
once again visited Constitution Hill to tour the Old Gaol
and the Constitutional Court. You can read what they
had to say about that on page 7. Five minutes’ walk
away from Constitution Hill, Esselen Clinic is also part of
Johannesburg’s heritage, and was awarded a heritage
plaque in February. The story is on page 8.
These are just a few of the stories you will find in these
pages, showcasing the life and times of RHI and keeping
you ‘wired’. We hope you enjoy reading this and find the
interactive version useful. We welcome your feedback so
that we can continually improve the newsletter for you;
and we invite you to send us your news and snippets
for the next issue. Send your contributions to Fhatuwani
Tshikororo (ftshikororo@wrhi.ac.za or post on the
Communications page) by 15 June.

4. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
4
Introducing Hillbrew
Wits RHI Choir
Those of you who frequent the staff refreshment kiosk in HSB may be wondering about the plans to give ‘the kiosk’ a
catchier name. Well the wait is over! We are very pleased to announce that the winning entry in the competition was
Hillbrew.
The winner has elected to remain anonymous and donate the prize to the Dayvision Youth Centre in Hillbrow. Olives &
Plates, who kindly offered to contribute to the prize along with Wits RHI, baked a large cake which was enjoyed by all
the beneficiaries of the Centre on Tuesday, 18 March.
An overjoyed Matome Moremi, Social Worker from Dayvision, said, “This was a present to our youth as we wanted to
showourappreciationfortheirpatiencewithournewCommunityCentrethatisstillunderconstruction.Thenoisefrom
the construction has been disturbing, but the patience and dedication shown by the youth to this organisation has
been amazing and this special gift from Olives and Plates has been very greatly welcomed by our participants.”

5. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
5
New clinic brings health to ZF Mgcawu
Wits RHI, together with North Star Alliance and the
Northern Cape Department of Health, launched a Sex
Worker & Trucker Clinic in Upington in ZF Mgcawu district
on 12 March. The event was attended by over 400 people,
all in jubilant mood. There was much ululating, shouting
and singing as the Executive Mayor Cllr. Z Mjila and Wits
RHI Professor Francois Venter cut the ribbon to officially
open the clinic.
The clinic will enable the sex workers and truckers of
Upington to access primary health care and sexual and
reproductive health services in a converted container that
is now a clinic with air-conditioned consulting rooms, wifi
and ablution facilities.
The RHI Sex Worker Project started more than 10 years
ago in inner city Johannesburg. It provides clinical and
outreachservicestobrothel-andstreet-basedsexworkers
and their clients in the city. Services offered include health
communication delivered through peer educators and
outreachstaff,clinicaldetectionandtreatmentofSTIs,HIV
counselling and testing, TB screening, contraception, and
male and female condom provision. Referral linkages to
relevant DoH services including HIV and TB treatment and
reproductive health services are in place with outreach
workers tracing defaulting patients.
“We are happy to open the project’s seventh clinic,” said
Maria Sibanyoni, Programme Manager, Sex Worker
Project. “We plan to open another clinic in Bloemfontein
in the near future,” she added.
Executive Mayor CIIr.Z Mjila and Wits RHI Professor Francois Venter cutting the ribbon

6. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
6
Professor Rees helps Minister launch Family
Planning Campaign
Wits RHI Choir
South Africa took a major step forward for women’s reproductive health with the launch of the Family Planning
Campaign, which took place at Ethafeni Clinic in Tembisa on 27 February. Professor Helen Rees, Chair of the
Contraception and Fertility Planning Policy expert group, and RHI Senior Technical Adviser Melanie Pleaner, key author
of the newly revised guidelines, were present at the launch.
Under the theme “Dual protection. My Responsibility. My Choice. Our Future,” one of the main components of the
campaign was the introduction of the sub-dermal implant. This new method helps to realise one of the key objectives
ofthenewpolicy–toexpandtherangeofcontraceptivemethodsavailabletowomeninpublichealthfacilitiesinSouth
Africa. The implant is one of several other long-acting, reversible methods emphasised in the new policy, which also
include the copper IUD and the pill and injectables.
ChairedbytheDeputyMinisterofHealth,GwenRamokgopa,keyspeakersatthelaunchincludedtheMinisterofHealth,
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi; Director-General: Health, Precious Matsoso; Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini;
Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize; and the United Nations Population Fund's
(UNFPA) Dr Julitta Onabanjo, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
In addressing the campaign theme, speakers highlighted the importance of family planning in avoiding teenage and
unplanned pregnancy, the promotion of dual protection, choice and the importance of improved access. The merits of
the implant were explained, and as part of the launch, the Minister inserted the first implant into a client at Ethafeni
Clinic. At the press conference Professor Rees explained the advantages of the sub-dermal implant, which include a
reduction in clinic visits and the reliability of the method.
The Minister of Health concluded the event by urging everyone “…to take the message of family planning and
contraception to every corner of our country. We need this message to be heard by every woman and man in our
country as many times as possible so that we can reap the many benefits of family planning."
RHI has been extensively involved in training health care providers on the new policy and guidelines, on IUD insertion,
and on the insertion of the implant. Dr Howard Manyonga, Head: Women’s Health, and Training & Teaching
Department have supported DOH in the roll-out of the training.
The sub-dermal implant is a small plastic rod about
the size of a match stick that is inserted just under the
skin on the inside of the upper arm. Using a local
anaesthetic, the insertion takes about 5-7 minutes.
The single rod, Implanon NXT®, can remain in place
for three years, and the two-rod method, Jadelle, for
five years (to be introduced later in the year).
The implant will be available at all public healthcare
facilities across the country by mid-2014.
Minister for Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi inserts the first sub-dermal
implant into a patient at the launch of the Family Planning Campaign
Professor Rees talks to SABC at the launch of the Family Planning
Campaign

7. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
7
Wits RHI employees tour Constitution Hill
Wits RHI’s Organisational Health Committee offered staff
another opportunity to enjoy a one-hour guided tour of
the Constitutional Court and Section Four (the Men’s Jail:
dark heart of Constitution Hill) in honour of Human Rights
Day 2014.
This year the tour was again a success with staff, especially
ournewcolleagues.TheConstitutionHillprecinct,located
at the western end of Hillbrow, is the seat of the
ConstitutionalCourtofSouthAfrica.Thefirstcourtsession
in the new building at this location was held in February
2004.
The court building is open to members of the public who
want to attend hearings or view the art gallery in the court
atrium. The court houses a collection of more than 200
contemporary artworks chosen by Constitutional Court
judge Albie Sachs, including works by Gerard Sekoto,
William Kentridge, and Cecil Skotnes.
This is what some of our colleagues had to say about the
tour:
“Before the tour, I would have imagined a museum
arrangement with polished, shiny exhibits and artwork. I
was amazed at how original and well preserved its
structuresandfeatureswere–rightdowntotheprisoners'
writings on the walls. It was an incredible and powerful
experience and a definite must-see. Many thanks to the
OHC for organising the tour," said Nkunda Vundamina,
Project Co-ordinator for ReproNet-Africa.
“I commend the OHC for organising such a memorable
tour for us. It was very enlightening and distressing at the
same time. I am truly grateful for all the people who
fought for our freedom,” said Cathy Noble, Co-ordinator
for Facilities Department.
Nkunda Vudamina reading part of the historic information at Constitution Hill
Wits RHI staff listening attentively to the tour guide

8. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
8
Esselen Street Clinic declared a heritage site
Wits RHI Choir
The City of Johannesburg's Esselen Street Clinic in
Hillbrow, formerly known as Colin Gordon Nursing Home,
was declared a heritage site in 2014. On 25 January, the
Heritage Blue Plaque was unveiled by the Johannesburg
Heritage Foundation.
The building is the work of a highly inventive architect,
Wilhelm B Pabst, who rejected the rational approach,
choosing to express emotion in his buildings. In 1941 he
designed this bastion against dread disease using
imagery from a castle.
The Clinic handles tuberculosis, sexually transmitted
infections, contraception and HIV counselling and testing
and is a partnership between the City of Johannesburg
and Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute. Up to 350
patients are attended to daily, with plans to increase this
to 1000. Youth listening attentively to Yael Horowitz, Programme Manager for
Hillbrow Health Precinct, explaining the history of the building
Essellen Street Clinic building

9. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
9
Rotary Club donates to
Shandukani’s newborn babies
Wits RHI Choir
The Northcliff Rotary Club Anns reached out to help the
less privileged newborn babies at the Shandukani
Maternal and Child Health Centre, donating boxes of
blankets and knitted jerseys to the facility on the 25th of
February. This is not the first time the club has donated to
Shandukani. In May last year the club donated clothes,
blankets and disposal nappies. “Donations like this allow
us to add a little bit extra to the service and facilities that
we already provide,” said Shandukani’s Sr. Anna Sola.
The ‘Golden Girls’, a group of senior citizens who meet
twice a month to knit for the under-privileged, are very
active in local old age homes, regularly providing knitted
items, fresh linen, toiletries and food to the residents. The
Golden Girls, founded in 1982, have also delivered
hundreds of warm woollies to the CHOC Ward at the
Johannesburg General Hospital, The Door of Hope in
Hillbrow and the Babies Behind Bars programme, and are
pleased to add Shandukani to their beneficiaries.
Sr. Anna Sola giving vote of thanks
Rotary Club’s ladies with Shandukani and Wits RHI staff

10. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
10
Wits RHI Choir
On 13 February Wits RHI, in partnership with Gauteng Department of Health, held a Condom Week campaign at HSB.
Condom Week is celebrated annually in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, to heighten awareness of preventable health
problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases among men.
To highlight the week, Wits RHI and Gauteng Department of Health conducted an STI and Condom Week campaign,
which included an event at which men were given the opportunity to discuss issues affecting them and learn more
about the role they play in their own health and wellbeing.
Speaking at the event on issues as diverse as health, substance abuse and finance were representatives from Gauteng
Department of Health, Mashate, SAMSOSA, Sanlam and FNB.
Menwhoattendedsaidtheylearnedalotabouthowtolookaftertheirhealth.VincentMukansifromWitsRHIfoundthe
speakers’ presentations interesting and informative. “It’s important to have yourself tested regularly for HIV, STI and
prostate cancer,” said Vincent.
Zooming in on men’s health
Enthusiastic participants
Geremia Mhwahla from Gauteng Department of Health demonstrating how to use a condom

11. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
11
FACTS Annual Meeting
On 12-14 February, FACTS held its third Annual Meeting
in Johannesburg. The three-day meeting brought
together over 130 study team members from our nine
sites across South Africa and the US, including the CORE
team based at Wits RHI, as well as site investigators and
staff, sponsor and donor representatives and
implementation partners. As the study is scheduled to
conclude by the end of 2014, this year’s meeting focused
heavily on study close-out activities and scenario
planning around possible study outcomes. While we all
remain hopeful for a positive outcome, Professor Rees
thanked the team members for their efforts and
highlighted that whatever the final results may be, the
study team should be proud that they’ve developed and
nurtured a unique and novel multi-site South African trial
network – and that alone should be the measure of their
success.
Professor Helen Rees
FACTS team

12. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
12
Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!

13. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
13
Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!

14. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
14
Wits RHI Choir
Know your
Annual Leave Policy
2. Employees may not work for the company or any
other employer during any period of annual leave.
3. Should the company close over the festive season
in December, this will be regarded as annual leave.
4. Where an employee falls sick during the annual
leave period this will not constitute sick leave nor
should these sick days be credited to the employee’s
sick leave balance.
5. Any annual leave accrued to an employee that
he/she has not taken shall be paid in cash upon
termination of employment up to a maximum of
fifteen (15) working days. If the termination of service
was as a result of an operational requirement or
incapacity due to ill health or a disability, the
employee will be entitled to the payment of untaken
accrued annual leave up to a maximum of twenty-six
(26) working days.
6. The encashment of leave shall not be permitted.
Procedure
1. Leave must be taken at a time which is mutually
convenient to both the employee and the company
and must be approved by the employee’s superior
and/or line manager at least one month before leave
is required.
2. Employees are able to apply for leave by using one
of the following methods, as applicable:
2.1 HR Online system
2.2 Application for leave form (although we have
transitioned to HR Online, the manual leave form
remains for certain circumstances, to be advised by
HR on an individual basis where appropriate)
3. The application for leave must be in writing on the
Company’s leave application form which must be
authorised by the Head of Department. Once
authorised the original ‘application for leave form’
must be forwarded to the Payroll Department for
processing and thereafter placed on the employee’s
file. A duplicate copy must be returned to the
employee for record purposes.
If you have any questions about the Annual Leave
Policy, contact your HR business partner.
In each issue of Wired we look at a key policy to
ensure we all understand what we need to do in
particular situations. This month we look at annual
leave.
An employee is entitled to at least:
1. Twenty-three (23) working days’ annual leave on
full remuneration in respect of each annual leave
cycle, if the employee is employed on a permanent
and full-time basis; or employed permanently on a
five-eighths (5/8) or six-eighths (6/8) basis for at least
four (4) days per week.
2. Twelve (12) working days of annual leave on full
remuneration if the employee is employed on a
permanent part-time basis for less than four (4) days
per week.
3. One (1) day of annual leave on full remuneration
foreveryseventeen(17)daysonwhichtheemployee
worked or was entitled to be paid if the employee is
employed on a fixed-term contract for less than one
(1) year.
4. Employees who are categorised as senior
management are entitled to twenty-five (25)
working days annual leave on full remuneration in
respect of each annual leave cycle.
5. Annual leave must be taken not later than six
months after the end of the annual leave cycle.
6. The overall maximum leave accumulation allowed
is twenty-six (26) working days; any leave accrued in
excess of twenty-six (26) days will be forfeited.
7. Should an employee wish to take leave for
religious purposes, this will be regarded as annual
leave.
Constraints
1. Annual leave may not be taken during any other
period of leave to which the employee is entitled in
terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act or
any period of notice of termination of employment.

15. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
15
Wits RHI applauds the following employees on their new appointments and awards:
Awards
Dr Vivian Black, Director of Clinical Programmes, was awarded the Professor Martin Taylor Prize for outstanding
performance in the MSc Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 2011-2012.
Ellen Crabtree, Communications Manager, was joint winner of the Award of Excellence in Sociology Master’s Degree for
Outstanding Achievement in Sociology, Wits University, 2013.
Appointments
Dr Daniel Nhemachena, Clinic Manager: Harriet Shezi Children’s Clinic and Hillbrow Community Health Centre, has been
appointed to the board of Health-e.
Health-e is South Africa’s award-winning dedicated health news service producing news and in-depth analysis for the
country’s print and television media.
Its particular focus is HIV/AIDS, public health and issues regarding health policy and practice in South Africa. Health-e
provides print features for newspapers and magazines, broadcast packages for national and community radio stations
and TV documentaries broadcasted on SABC, E-TV and M-Net.
Congratulations to Viv, Ellen and Dan!
Awards and appointments
Wits RHI applauds the following employees on their new appointments and awards:
Awards
Dr Vivian Black, Director of Clinical Programmes, was awarded the Professor Martin Taylor Prize for outstanding
performance in the MSc Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 2011-2012.
Ellen Crabtree, Communications Manager, was joint winner of the Award of Excellence in Sociology Master’s Degree for
Outstanding Achievement in Sociology, Wits University, 2013.
Appointments
Dr Daniel Nhemachena, Clinic Manager: Harriet Shezi Children’s Clinic and Hillbrow Community Health Centre, has been
appointed to the board of Health-e.
Health-e is South Africa’s award-winning dedicated health news service producing news and in-depth analysis for the
country’s print and television media.
Its particular focus is HIV/AIDS, public health and issues regarding health policy and practice in South Africa. Health-e
provides print features for newspapers and magazines, broadcast packages for national and community radio stations
and TV documentaries broadcasted on SABC, E-TV and M-Net.
Congratulations to Viv, Ellen and Dan!
Awards and appointments

16. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
16
New Appointees
February
Gloria Matunde Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Letlogonolo Motlhe Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Gaopelwe Manoto Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Viola Mashigo Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Thandiwe Hansie Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Mbuyiseni Malinga Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Khotso Choma Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Slindile Mdletshe Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Bontle Manyama Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Harvey Bayana Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Violet Monareng Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Moeketsi Thebe Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Nthabiseng Mosia Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Victoria Dyker Operations – Gauteng (Ward 21) General Assistant
Nonkululeko Malindi Operations – Gauteng (Ward 21) General Assistant
Keith Pursey Monitoring & Evaluation – Vryburg Data Improvement Adviser
Kesebone Makhala Monitoring & Evaluation – Vryburg Data Capturer – Intern
Mapula Manyama Monitoring & Evaluation – Klerksdorp Data Capturer – Intern
Robyn Eakle PrEP Demonstration Project – HSB Senior Researcher
Annet Nyapholi Psychosocial – Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Research Assistant
Bafana Gxubane Psychosocial – HSB Research Assistant
MMaarrcchh
Vincent Lau-Chan Monitoring & Evaluation – Gauteng (Ward 21) Project Manager: Mhealth
Nokuthula Makoba Sex Worker Project – Gauteng (Esselen Clinic) PHC Nurse: Sex Worker Project
Dr Memory Mutukiri Adolescent Programme – HSB Technical Head: Adolescent
Programme
Dikeledi Nhlapho Research – Research Centre Research Nurse
Name Department Position

17. Wits RHI Choir
How long have you been with Wits RHI and what
responsibilities does your job involve?
I am still the new kid on the block! My responsibilities
within the Adolescent Programme include putting
together innovative ideas that will improve the
quality of treatment and care for adolescents living
with HIV (ALHIV) and creating a replicable model that
will link into the three streams of PHC re-engineering.
In addition I’m responsible for piloting the model in
two regions, collecting data and conducting
evidence-based research to support the model.
Whatwouldyouliketoachieveduringyourtimewith
Wits RHI?
I would like to achieve the things mentioned above,
and have the models adopted for roll-out and
replication in all districts. I would like to see a
significant proportion of ALHIV receiving better
quality of care, treatment and support through this
project and for them to have a better quality of life as
a result of the project than they would have had
otherwise.
You have vast experience in clinical and public health
in Africa and Europe. What have you learnt from your
experiences?
I had very enriching experiences with the public
health sectors locally as well as in other African
countries (specifically Botswana and Nigeria) where
there are fewer health resources than we have in
South Africa but where there is, in some ways, more
efficient management. The European set-up is,
however, completely different. That said, the actual
needs and health care requirements of patients,
particularly adolescents, are very similar across the
board.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud
of?
There are a few that I can think of, but the one that I
would like to mention is that I initiated the first
obstetrics ambulance system in Mpumalanga,
launched by the then MEC for Health in 2011. The
Mpumalanga health system is now able to prioritise
maternity cases for transportation to health facilities.
This is of particular significance for me, as it links to
my initial motivation to study medicine and my
experiences with the issues facing pregnant rural
women.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of
working with adolescents?
If you have ever shared a house with an adolescent
you know the challenging aspects so I will spare you
the details. The best aspect of working with
adolescents is that they have dynamic needs, ideas
and interests; you have to continuously identify
relevant, engaging and pertinent innovations for
them.
What’s one thing your co-workers would be
surprised to know about you?
I am a biker! Gauteng is not the best spot for that
though.
How do you spend your downtime?
I love water (pool, beach…).
Which music gets you dancing?
Anything Rihanna sings should do that. Dancing for
me means ‘shoulders upwards’ lol!
17
WALK THE TALK 2013!LACE UP FOR THE DISCOVERY 702
Pre-entries now open,
only the first 50 000 entries will be accepted.
Forward your details to Thelma Nyatsambo on
tnyatsambo@wrhi.ac.za for registration before Friday 23 May 2014
Event Date: Sunday 27 July 2014
Venue: Marks Parks Sports Club, Emmarentia

18. Wits RHI Choir
Who is Memory?
I hail from the village of
Siloame in Nzhelele, Limpopo. I
came to Johannesburg to
study medicine at Wits and
stayed on. I am passionate
about the field of HIV/AIDS,
particularly the prevention
part; I have always believed
that the earlier young people
are exposed to the right
educationaroundSRHandHIV,
thebettertheoutcomesforthe
health system in reducing the
burden of the disease. Coming
from a rural background
myself, I know that SRH topics
and even HIV are not always
common household topics.
What motivated you to study
medicine?
When I was younger I noticed
that pregnant women living in
remote villages had no access
to antenatal services and were
not able to get to the hospital
early enough for help,
especially in emergencies. These women would
estimate their due dates, very often inaccurately, and
then camp in the hospital grounds awaiting delivery.
This often resulted in stays of up to three months in
barely adequate accommodation, as they could not
be admitted into the hospital. This was a very sad
state of affairs and I was touched by their plight.
Happily, access to health care has improved greatly
and this system no longer exists, but that was a
significant motivator in my decision to study
medicine; I wanted to help somehow. I believe in
human dignity and that all people deserve quality
health care no matter what their socio-economic
Getting to know
Dr Memory Muturiki, Technical Head: Adolescent Programme
status, and regardless of their traditional and
religious beliefs.
Tell us about your first job?
Like all doctors I started as an intern. I did my
internship at Tambo Memorial Hospital in the East
Rand.Ienjoyedmyinternshipandthereisn’tmuchto
say about that except that we were, luckily for us, the
last group to be interns for only a year as internship
became a two-year programme the following year!
18