KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (KZN DoH) Risk Enterprise Management specialist Mr Sizwe Cele embarked on a research journey which examined three major challenges facing the Department: a severe budget crisis, critical understaffing, and deteriorating service delivery standards.
Cele’s work earned him a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
His dissertation was titled: ‘Evaluating Risk Management at the Provincial Sphere of Government: A Case Study of the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal’.
As a senior leader in the Risk Management Services Directorate, Cele’s objective was to develop an effective risk management framework that would enable the KZN DoH to deliver comprehensive healthcare services more efficiently to communities across the province.
The study found that senior managers within the KZN DoH have a sound understanding of the legislative frameworks governing risk management. However, gaps remain in the legislation, particularly in addressing emerging risks such as cyber threats, pandemics and climate-related health risks.
The research further revealed that while risk identification processes are generally understood, significant gaps exist between policy formulation and implementation. Reporting mechanisms were often reduced to passive compliance exercises with limited effectiveness.
A lack of financial, human and technological resources was identified as a major obstacle to implementing effective risk mitigation strategies. In addition, bureaucratic processes and entrenched organisational culture were found to hinder timely responses to risks due to lengthy approval procedures.
Cele recommended that the Department allocate adequate financial, human and technological resources to strengthen its risk management programme.
“There should be a dedicated budget for risk management at local offices and the recruitment of skilled personnel. The Department must also invest in appropriate risk management software,” his study recommended.
The research also highlighted the need for institutionalised risk management awareness campaigns and formal training programmes across all staff levels to ensure that risk management principles are embedded in daily operations. Furthermore, dedicated risk management personnel should be appointed at hospitals and community health centres to ensure that institutional risks receive priority attention.
With a professional background in Financial Accounting and Corporate Governance, Cele said the MBA qualification had significantly sharpened his business acumen. Some of the recommendations from his study are already being implemented to address the province’s R29.1 billion medico-legal claims crisis highlighted by Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi in 2024.
“We have already started implementing some of the findings of this research, which will reduce medico-legal claims and improve the quality of services provided by the Department,” Cele explained.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Cele is actively involved in civic leadership. He serves as the Provincial Secretary of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in KwaZulu-Natal, where he advocates for civil society through voluntary work. He is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workers’ College of South Africa and a member of the KZN Economic Council, where he serves as Convener of the Civil Society Sector.
He plans to apply risk management principles to assist civic organisations in advancing improved quality of life for marginalised communities across KZN.
“Life itself is a risk,” said Cele. “Through the leadership opportunities I have, I challenge communities to identify the root causes of social ills such as crime, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy.” He said he then supports them in analysing their consequences on society and develop intervention risk management strategies aimed at eliminating or mitigating these challenges for the betterment of people’s quality of life.
Reflecting on his achievement, Cele credited his late mother, MaSithole, for instilling the value of education at an early age. “I am grateful to my mother for helping me understand that education opens doors to better opportunities and a better quality of life. Over the years, I have come to realise that every country needs to educate her citizens in order to achieve true freedom,” he said.
UKZN Public Governance expert Professor Purshottama Reddy congratulated Cele on his achievement. “Mr Cele has done exceptionally well and deserves to be applauded for this accomplishment. Despite a demanding work schedule and extensive civic activism, he successfully completed both his coursework and dissertation. He worked through his dissertation with limited supervision and completed it in record time. He was disciplined, focused and hardworking,” said Reddy.
Cele’s achievement continues to inspire his wife and three children, whom he describes as his pillars of strength.
Proud of her husband’s achievement, Mrs Zinhle Cele said: “This is the day that the Lord has made! Sthandwa sami, you have worked hard to achieve these academic accolades. We are thankful for you. Your hard work has paid off. We celebrate you today, congratulations on your new beginnings. The kids and I will continue to support you, we love you always.”
Words: Hazel Langa
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini