Faculty members
A/Prof Edwin W Turton
A/Prof Edwin W Turton is the head of the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of the Free State and Bloemfontein hospitals complex since 2018. He previously led the clinical unit for cardiothoracic anaesthesia at the same institution (2011–2015) and served as Co-director and head of adult cardiac anaesthesia at the Heart Centre in Leipzig, Germany (2015–2018).
His clinical interests include adult and paediatric cardiac anaesthesia, with a vision for affordable, wearable wireless monitoring for all perioperative patients.
An enthusiastic open water swimmer, his recent achievements include a solo skins swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand in March 2023, and his dream (BHAG) is to swim the English Channel.
Dr Reinier Swart
Dr. Reinier Swart is a specialized anaesthesiologist practicing at Mediclinic Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, South Africa. He earned his MBChB from the University of Pretoria in 2012, followed by DA (SA) in 2015 and FCA (SA) in 2019 from the Colleges of Medicine.
With core competencies in Regional Anaesthesia and General Anaesthesiology Dr. Swart has contributed to academic research, including studies on intubation techniques during COVID-19 and mechanical ventilation in ICU settings .
He remains active in professional development as an organizer of the Lowveld Anaesthetic & Peri-operative Medicine Symposium (LAPOMS) and participates in international initiatives like the World Day of Regional Anaesthesia.
Prof Gladness Nethathe
Gladness Nethathe is an experienced anaesthetist and intensivist.
Her major research interests lie in obstetric critical care and the endocrine and metabolic manifestations of critical illness.
Together with her colleagues at the South African National Blood Service, she has developed the first university-based Short Learning Programme for Medical Doctors in PBM in Africa.
Prof Justiaan Swanevelder
Professor Swanevelder is an international expert in the field of Transoesophageal (TOE) and Transthoracic (TTE) Echocardiography, and has played a central role in the development of this field, and formal guidelines for practice and accreditation in the United Kingdom. He is a prominent member of the European Association of Cardio-thoracic Anaesthesia (EACTA).
The important collaborations established during 2013-2014, and research initiatives established involving teaching and research on TTE and TOE by visiting experts (Professors E Sloth, Denmark, A Dennis, Australia and J Ender, Leipzig), have given rise to a major publication which is in press in Anaesthesia.
Dr Nondwe Mgoqo
Dr Mgoqo is the Acting Head of the Anaesthesia Unit at Mthatha Regional Hospital and a lecturer at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa.
She serves on the executive committee of the South African Society of Regional Anaesthesia and is also an Ambassador for the African Society of Regional Anaesthesia.
Her clinical and academic interests focus particularly on chronic pain management and perioperative pain management, with a strong commitment to improving pain care in resource-limited settings.
Dr Ryan Davids
Ryan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care at Stellenbosch University since 2018. He is an anaesthetist and intensivist who heads the surgical ICU at one of the largest tertiary hospitals in South Africa. He is an academic leader and researcher who has influenced many policies and guidelines.
He holds a postgraduate Diploma in Anaesthesia as well as Masters in Anaesthesiology. He successfully completed his fellowship in Critical Care. He also holds a Master’s degree in Applied Ethics and serves on a number of advisory committees.
Ryan hails from the beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. He loves trail running, archery and karate.
Dr Shafeeqa Mayet
Experienced Anesthesiologist with a demonstrated history of working in the medical practice industry. Skilled in Clinical Research, Medical Education, Anesthesiology, Medicine, and Emergency Medicine.
Strong professional with a Bachelors degree of medicine focused in Medicine from University of the Witwatersrand.
Also have a special interest and hold a masters degree of philosophy in bioethics and applied ethics.
Dr Gavin Jones
Beyond his role as an Anaesthetist, Dr. Jones serves as the Regional Medical Officer for Operation Smile, demonstrating his commitment to making a lasting impact in the field of medical care.
His leadership and vision have been instrumental in expanding access to life-changing surgeries for individuals with cleft lips and palates.
Prof Hyla Kluyts
Professor Kluyts is an anaesthesiologist and perioperative medicine specialist, Professor and Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, and Head of the Bophelo Unit for Equity, Intelligence and Learning at SMU.
As the first female full professor in Anaesthesiology in South Africa, she is committed to advancing excellence in teaching, research, and leadership within a historically disadvantaged institution, with a focus on strengthening surgical and perioperative health systems through equity-oriented research, implementation science, and the responsible use of data to inform policy and practice.
She founded Safe Surgery South Africa, a non-profit organisation that supports collaborative perioperative research and administers the African Perioperative Research Group (APORG), and has served as national lead investigator for South Africa in the African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) and ASOS-2, contributing to several multicentre African research initiatives across public and private healthcare sectors, including leadership roles within the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists’ Safety and Quality of Practice Committee.
Dr Sean Bennett
Dr. Sean Bennett is a Cardiothoracic Anesthetist and Intensivist Consultant at Basildon University Hospital, UK.
Along with anaesthesia and ICU for general cases across many specialties he has majored in Cardiothoracics based the in UK and other University hospitals.
Previous President of the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, he was part of the founding group that established the accreditation process for Perioperative Transoesophageal Echo UK. He has always focused on ways to improve outcomes in cardiac surgery. He has published outcome studies and lectured widely on Cerebral Oximetry and more recently has included the use of BIS to reduce neurological dysfunction.
He has twice toured China teaching on INVOS and BIS and has wide experience in University hospitals around the world including Africa, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and the Middle East. He has run many courses on Perioperative Echocardiography and Intensive Care Echo.
Current and recent background information includes as follows :
- Editor BJA Education
- International Speaker on BIS and NIRS in Cardiac Surgery
- International Speaker on ‘How to get Published’
- publications include Near Infrared Spectroscopy and clinical outcomes, Anaemia and Blood Transfusion, End-of-Life Care on ICU, Future of the NHS
- Workshops Director for Perioperative Echo and ICU Ultrasound
- Associate Editor Cureus Journal of Medical Science
He enjoys overseas travelling for teaching, but keeps active with Skiing, Sailing, Cycling and Triathlons.
Dr Elsa Dekker
Consultant Paediatric Anaesthesiologist: Leicester Royal Infirmary , Leicester, United Kingdom
Previous appointments:
Private anaesthetic practice Durban, SA
Consultant anaesthetist in Winnipeg (Canada), New Plymouth
(New Zealand), Brisbane (Australia)
Membership: European Society of Paediatric Anaesthetists
Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists UK
Royal College of Anaesthesia
Course Director for 18 international Paediatric Anaesthesia Meetings, Leicester
Paediatric Anaesthesia Equipment Lead
Hobbies: Travel, skiing, pilates, family
Dr Johan Bence
- Consultant Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiologist – Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust – Leicester, UK
- Honorary Associate Professor – University of Leicester, Faculty of Cardiovascular Sciences.
- Chairman EACTAIC Echo Committee
- UK Representative – EACTAIC Representative Council
- Member of Joint EACVI/ESC/EACTAIC Echocardiography Certification Committee
- Member EACTAIC Nominations Committee
- Member EACTAIC Thoracic Committee
- Member ACTACC executive board
- Member ACTACC Echo Committee
- Interests – Cardiac and Thoracic Anaesthesia, Echocardiography, Transcatheter Interventional Anaesthesia and Imaging, Adult Congenital Cardiac Anaesthesia, Teaching.
- Hobbies – Flying (Pilot) Classical Aircraft, Rugby, Cricket, Running and Cycling
Dr Johan Kotze
Prior to medicine I was involved in pre-hospital emergency care, following which I completed a medical BSc and BSc Hons in human physiology at the University of Pretoria. After qualifying in medicine (UP), my Internship and Community service took place at Far East Rand hospital, where I obtained my Diploma in anesthesia.
Returning to the University of Pretoria I obtained both the FCA and MMed in Anaesthesiology and in 2007 joined the private practice group in Nelspruit (now named Nelanest).
In 2016 I left Private anesthesia where I took up the position as HOD of Anesthesia at Edenvale hospital for the duration of 2 years that entitled me to rotate as a Fellow in Critical care at CMJAH, at the University of the Witwatersrand. Edenvale hospital formed part of the rotations and training of medical officers to obtain the DA(SA) and enter the Registrar programme.
In 2019, I founded Criticare Solutions and took over the role of Director of Critical care at Life the Glynnwood hospital’s Closed ICU where I still perform my clinical work.
Aside from CCSSA membership I am still a member of SASA and served on SASA’s Council/PPBU. During 2020 I had the privilege to chair the Local organizing committee of SASA Acasia to host the SASA National congress.
Dr Sean Bennett
Dr. Sean Bennett is a Cardiothoracic Anesthetist and Intensivist Consultant at Basildon University Hospital, UK.
Along with anaesthesia and ICU for general cases across many specialties he has majored in Cardiothoracics based the in UK and other University hospitals.
Previous President of the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, he was part of the founding group that established the accreditation process for Perioperative Transoesophageal Echo UK. He has always focused on ways to improve outcomes in cardiac surgery. He has published outcome studies and lectured widely on Cerebral Oximetry and more recently has included the use of BIS to reduce neurological dysfunction.
He has twice toured China teaching on INVOS and BIS and has wide experience in University hospitals around the world including Africa, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and the Middle East. He has run many courses on Perioperative Echocardiography and Intensive Care Echo.
Current and recent background information includes as follows :
- Editor BJA Education
- International Speaker on BIS and NIRS in Cardiac Surgery
- International Speaker on ‘How to get Published’
- publications include Near Infrared Spectroscopy and clinical outcomes, Anaemia and Blood Transfusion, End-of-Life Care on ICU, Future of the NHS
- Workshops Director for Perioperative Echo and ICU Ultrasound
- Associate Editor Cureus Journal of Medical Science
He enjoys overseas travelling for teaching, but keeps active with Skiing, Sailing, Cycling and Triathlons.
Dr Elsa Dekker
Consultant Paediatric Anaesthesiologist: Leicester Royal Infirmary , Leicester, United Kingdom
Previous appointments:
Private anaesthetic practice Durban, SA
Consultant anaesthetist in Winnipeg (Canada), New Plymouth
(New Zealand), Brisbane (Australia)
Membership: European Society of Paediatric Anaesthetists
Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists UK
Royal College of Anaesthesia
Course Director for 18 international Paediatric Anaesthesia Meetings, Leicester
Paediatric Anaesthesia Equipment Lead
Hobbies: Travel, skiing, pilates, family
Dr Johan Bence
- Consultant Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiologist – Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust – Leicester, UK
- Honorary Associate Professor – University of Leicester, Faculty of Cardiovascular Sciences.
- Chairman EACTAIC Echo Committee
- UK Representative – EACTAIC Representative Council
- Member of Joint EACVI/ESC/EACTAIC Echocardiography Certification Committee
- Member EACTAIC Nominations Committee
- Member EACTAIC Thoracic Committee
- Member ACTACC executive board
- Member ACTACC Echo Committee
- Interests – Cardiac and Thoracic Anaesthesia, Echocardiography, Transcatheter Interventional Anaesthesia and Imaging, Adult Congenital Cardiac Anaesthesia, Teaching.
- Hobbies – Flying (Pilot) Classical Aircraft, Rugby, Cricket, Running and Cycling
Dr Lerato Motjale
I am a HPCSA registered Specialist in
paediatrics, consulting at a public
tertiary institution and running a
practise in private.
I am an advocate for
quality child health care.