Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - December 6, 2004
The department has been without a permanent chief for 14 months, following Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba's departure to become director-general of Foreign Affairs.
Top contenders indicated they would not apply as long as Tshabalala-Msimang was in charge, while qualified candidates withdrew their applications as the appointment process was taking too long.
Although Mseleku's appointment has taken some health professionals by surprise and come as a blow to those supporting his efforts to improve education, Mseleku might prove to be the right person for the job.
For a start he has the ability to get the job done under difficult ministers - and Tshabalala-Msimang is known to have an autocratic style.
First, Mseleku worked as the chief director for human resources and labour relations to former Education Minister Sibusiso Bengu.
Appointed Education minister after the 1994 election, Bengu was a non-starter, lacking the drive needed to turn around the fragmented Education Departments he inherited from the apartheid education system.
Despite this Mseleku, also a special adviser to Bengu, worked efficiently behind the scenes to implement the sweeping changes needed in education.
When Kader Asmal succeeded Bengu in Education, Mseleku faced another set of challenges as Asmal had grand plans for transformation - many of which turned out to be harder to implement than anticipated.
As the deputy director-general for human resources initially, Mseleku had to do his fair share of damage control as senior officials left the department during that time.
His new post at the Health Department will involve a whole new set of hurdles. One of these will be the number of key vacancies or acting appointments in critical posts, including the head of HIV/Aids.
Accelerating the roll-out of Aids treatment and using this initiative to upgrade public healthcare facilities and staffing should be one of his priorities. Public hospitals are overloaded and understaffed in a country where 84% of the population do not have medical aid and rely on the state.
Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the health sector will also be necessary, following a year in which the minister has clashed with many of them, from doctors to pharmaceutical companies.
But Mseleku is strategic, knows the political landscape and has support, so perhaps he will find a way to advance these policies. If he finds a way to win major players over to his side, and listens to expert advice, he could do well.
041206
ST041206
Copyright © 2004 - The Sunday Times. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Sunday Times Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .