Minova Cholera
MSF Staff

South African Medical Unit (SAMU)

Meet the MSF Southern Africa team

Meet the SAMU Team

Tom Ellman
Tom Ellman

As Head of the Southern Africa Medical Unit, Tom leads MSF’s medical support and innovation across the region, supporting field teams to strengthen responses to HIV, TB, malaria, and other key health challenges. The position plays a key role in advancing medical excellence and contributing to MSF’s global learning and impact.

Esther C. Casas
Esther C. Casas

As Senior HIV/TB Advisor, Esther leads technical support initiatives, supporting country teams in Zimbabwe, Guinea, CAR, and Nigeria to implement HIV/TB programs. The position plays a key role in strengthening MSF Southern Africa’s disease control and public health strategies.

Antonio Flores
Antonio Flores

As Senior HIV/TB Advisor, Antonio leads clinical and programmatic support for HIV/TB initiatives, supporting humanitarian teams to deliver integrated disease management. The position plays a key role in enhancing MSF Southern Africa’s health impact across the region.

Calorine Mekiedje
Calorine Mekiedje

As Senior HIV/TB Advisor, Calorine leads programmatic support for HIV/TB initiatives in DRC and CAR, supporting teams to implement effective public health strategies. The position plays a key role in improving health outcomes within MSF Southern Africa’s operational regions.

Michael Knappik
Michael Knappik
Petros Isaakidis
Petros Isaakidis

As Operational Research Advisor, Petros leads OR and M&E initiatives, supporting project teams to gather evidence and inform programmatic decision-making. The position plays a key role in strengthening MSF Southern Africa’s operational research and monitoring practices.

Sarah Jane Steele
Sarah Jane Steele

As Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, Sarah leads M&E initiatives, supporting teams to accurately track program performance and outcomes. The position plays a key role in ensuring data-driven decision-making across MSF Southern Africa programs.

Gauthier Abdala
Gauthier Abdala

As Flying Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor, Gauthier Abdala leads M&E and data management initiatives, supporting field teams to optimise operational performance. The position plays a key role in enabling MSF Southern Africa to implement evidence-based programs efficiently.

Lucy O'Connell
Lucy O'Connell

As Key Populations Advisor, Lucy leads technical support initiatives, supporting field teams to provide effective SRH and HIV services to vulnerable populations. The position plays a key role in improving equitable access to healthcare across MSF Southern Africa operations.

Zibusiso Ndlovu
Zibusiso Ndlovu

As Lab Advisor, Zibusiso leads laboratory support, assisting MSF program teams to maintain high-quality lab operations. The position plays a key role in ensuring accurate diagnostic services and programmatic support across MSF Southern Africa.

Claire Bossard
Claire Bossard

As Epidemiologist, Claire leads operational research initiatives, supporting field teams to design and implement studies that inform public health strategies. The position plays a key role in strengthening MSF Southern Africa’s evidence-based programming.

Robyn Modsell
Robyn Modsell

As Head of Strategic Resources, Robyn leads non-medical operations, supporting SAMU teams to coordinate HIV/TB thematic programs and resources. The position plays a key role in ensuring effective operational management across MSF Southern Africa.

Talya Sampson
Talya Sampson

As Immigration and Administration Officer, Talya leads visa and administrative processes, supporting field staff and operations to ensure smooth deployment. The position plays a key role in enabling MSF Southern Africa’s operational mobility and compliance.

Ian Proudfoot
Ian Proudfoot

Learning Unit Coordinator

As Learning Unit Coordinator, Ian leads training programs, supporting staff and field teams to build capacity and knowledge. The position plays a key role in strengthening MSF Southern Africa’s learning and professional development initiatives.

Freddy Mangana
Freddy Mangana

As Senior Mentoring & Learning Advisor, Freddy leads clinical mentorship and training, supporting healthcare teams to strengthen HIV and TB care. The position plays a key role in building capacity and expertise across MSF Southern Africa’s programs.

Alexandra Abrahams
Alexandra Abrahams

As Learning Unit Knowledge & Administration Officer, Alexander  leads training logistics and resource management, supporting learning initiatives and administrative operations. The position plays a key role in ensuring smooth delivery of MSF Southern Africa’s educational programs.

Hosted Positions

Esnath Dzavakwa
Esnath Dzavakwa

As Intersectional Surgical Training Programme (ISTP) Manager, Esnath leads the ISTP, supporting trainees and coordinating with MSF offices to deliver effective surgical training. The position plays a key role in strengthening surgical capacity and skills development across the region.

Ncediswa Joyi
Ncediswa Joyi

As Intersectional Surgical Training Programme (ISTP) Coordinator, Ncediswa leads trainee support and programme logistics, supporting participants to successfully complete surgical training. The position plays a key role in ensuring efficient and effective delivery of the ISTP program.

Jakub Hein
Jakub Hein

As Digital Health Promotion Coordinator, Jakub leads digital health promotion initiatives, supporting teams to engage communities and deliver impactful health messages. The position plays a key role in advancing MSF Southern Africa’s health education and awareness campaigns.

Carina Steyn
Carina Steyn

As Digital Health Promotion Graphic Designer, Carina leads creative design efforts, supporting digital campaigns and health messaging initiatives. The position plays a key role in ensuring visually compelling and effective communication for MSF Southern Africa.