Dr MW Madzivhandila from Lwamondo has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer of Elim hospital, succeeding politician-turned businessman Lufuno Mulaudzi, who officially retired as the CEO of the hospital on March 31.

Madzivhandila's appointment became effective on May 2, 2006, according to the hospital's liaison officer, Mr Avhatakali Marole. Madzivhandila, who passed his senior certificate in 1968 at Lwamondo High, enrolled for the then South African teachers diploma at the University of the North and completed it in 1970. He was then employed as a teacher at Mphaphuli and Lwamondo High between 1971 and 1973.

He also worked as a presenter of the former Radio Venda in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, in June 1973, until he left in 1977. Madzivhandila also worked as a school principal of Guvhukuvhu Secondary School in 1978, but in 1979 he went to work for the Department of Administration of the former government of Venda until the dawn of democracy in 1994.

Marole said that his new CEO worked for the Provincial Department of Health and Welfare since 1995. Prior to being named as the CEO of Elim hospital, Madzivhandila had been working as the chief executive officer of Tintswalo Hospital since September 2005.

“We are very grateful to work with Dr Madzivhandila at Elim Hospital. We hope and believe that his good leadership skills and commitment he had displayed within this department will take service delivery at this hospital to greater heights,” said Marole.

The hospital liaison officer added that, as part of building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Madzivhandila will continue striving to build teamwork and unity among staff members, so as to accelerate services and to eradicate ethnicity for the good of the hospital. However, the new CEO will still be faced with the challenge of renovating and upgrading some of the hospital's old buildings and facilities.

Upon being requested to comment about the appointment of Dr Madzivhandila, Mr Rufus Kharidzha, chairman of the hospital board, said: “We welcome Dr Madzivhandila's appointment and we are looking forward to an amicable working relationship with him. We hope that he will assist us in responding quickly to the health needs of our communities as well as keeping our hospital flag flying high.” Kharidzha added that the view of the hospital board is that he will also sustain the quality of services, so that the hospital will continue winning more and more awards for accelerating services.