Nurturing Leaders from within at the SAMRC/Wits Agincourt unit
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For more than three decades, the unit has encouraged career development in the community.
For more than three decades, the South African Medical Research Council/Wits University Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt) has been a pioneer in rural health research. Based in the Bushbuckridge sub-district in Mpumalanga, Agincourt’s work has shaped understanding of health transitions and informed public policy across South Africa and beyond. Yet, one of Agincourt’s most powerful impacts may lie not only in the research it produces, but in the people it empowers, especially those who begin as fieldworkers or administrators and grow, over time, into skilled professionals and local leaders.
“The Unit’s unique culture of accompaniment, mutuality, and community engagement underpins this transformative approach. Most employees are drawn directly from the surrounding communities, which ensures that research is grounded in local realities, and that opportunities for personal advancement are woven into the fabric of the organisation,” says Ngoni Ngwarai, Assistant Director of Systems and Operations at Agincourt.
Through mentorship, continuous learning, and encouraging internal career mobility, Agincourt creates an environment that enables staff to pursue their passions and unlock their full potential.
All staff graduated from the University of South Africa. Here are some of their stories:
Knowme Nkalanga
Knowme Nkalanga started her career at the Unit in 2021 as a quantitative fieldworker, quickly discovering a knack for engaging with stakeholders. “Since joining Agincourt, I’ve discovered that engaging with people is one of my strengths,” Knowme reflects. This realisation inspired her to pursue an Honours degree in Environmental Management, equipping her with the knowledge to serve her community better.
A steady increase in responsibility and impact has marked her career trajectory. In 2022, she transitioned into qualitative fieldwork and soon took on a key role coordinating training for Community Health Workers, initially in Bushbuckridge and now across the entire Mpumalanga District. Working closely with both internal and external stakeholders in the Community Engagement Office, Knowme has developed critical skills in communication, coordination, and research.
“The opportunities I’ve had here, from research training to Coursera courses in project management, have significantly broadened my knowledge and experience.” Looking ahead, Knowme hopes to pursue a master’s in public health and continue to advance into more senior roles, supporting health and development both within the Unit and her broader community.
Sizzy Ngobeni
Sizzy Ngobeni’s path echoes many of the same themes: local beginnings, rapid growth, and a profound sense of mission. Initially joining Agincourt as a fieldworker in 2004, Sizzy witnessed firsthand the challenges rural communities face. This was not just in healthcare delivery, but in overcoming the stigma, misinformation, and socio-economic barriers surrounding diseases like HIV/AIDS.
Sizzy’s passion for social justice led her to pursue Social and Behavioural Studies in HIV/AIDS. “Addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic requires more than biomedical solutions. It demands a deep understanding of human behaviour, social dynamics, and cultural influences,” she says. Through her work at Agincourt, Sizzy has developed expertise in data coordination, community education, and research ethics. She has been promoted to supervisor and a projects coordinator.
“Agincourt nurtured my growth by creating opportunities for learning, training, and networking.” She plans to build on her experience by pursuing a master’s in public health, with ambitions to contribute to policy development, programme design, and capacity building. Her long-term goal is to bridge research, policy, and real-world impact, especially for South Africa’s most vulnerable communities.
Weekend Khoza
For Weekend Khoza, joining Agincourt as an HR Administrator in 2014 was the first step in a decade-long story of professional transformation. Drawn to Human Resources Management for its capacity to connect individual growth and organisational success, Weekend quickly seized opportunities for learning, enrolling in a Bachelor of Commerce degree and later an Honours in HR. Strong mentorship, professional workshops, and a culture of internal mobility saw Weekend grow from core administrative tasks to more strategic HR functions, culminating in her current position as HR Officer and mentor to junior staff.
“Agincourt has been transformative ever since I joined the Unit, thanks to a culture that prioritises professional development,” she says. “I’ve attended HR conferences, expanded my skills, and now champion diversity and inclusion initiatives because I believe in an environment where everyone can thrive.” Confident in her abilities and eager for new challenges, Weekend has already applied for a Master of Commerce at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), aiming to take on leadership and strategy roles.
Nokthula Mayindi
Nokthula Mayindi’s journey at Agincourt began in 2012 as a fieldworker, driven by a deep interest in the social and behavioural aspects of health, particularly HIV/AIDS. With a background in Community and Health Psychology, she chose to specialise in understanding how health conditions affect individuals and communities, especially in under-resourced rural settings. “HIV/AIDS remains a major public health concern in South Africa, and this course of study allowed me to explore the role of stigma, healthcare access, and social behaviours in shaping treatment outcomes,” she explains.
Over the years, Nokthula’s role has evolved from fieldworker to project supervisor and coordinator. A key milestone was leading the benefit-sharing programme, which facilitated community contributions, including resources for local schools and study participants. Currently, as part of the kidney disease study and the Public Engagement Office, she bridges scientific research with community understanding, ensuring mutual benefit and informed participation.
“Agincourt has been an invaluable platform for both professional and personal development,” she says. “Through projects focusing on HIV and kidney disease, along with regular mentorship and training, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of rural health dynamics.” Looking ahead, Nokthula plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), focusing on chronic diseases and their social impact in rural areas. Supported by Dr. June Fabian’s mentorship, she aims to continue contributing to impactful research and community engagement.
Ngwarai says that these individual stories are emblematic of a broader philosophy at the SAMRC/Wits Agincourt Unit: that research excellence and community empowerment are not competing goals, but mutually reinforcing ones. By investing in its own people, often neighbours, friends, and relatives of those served, Agincourt has forged a powerful model of sustainable impact.
In a region shaped by transitions and challenges, the Unit’s commitment to growth, accompaniment, and mutuality continues to transform lives, foster leadership, and inspire hope for another generation.