Invited Speakers & Presentations

We are pleased to announce the following

Keynote & Invited Speakers to the 2025 SMLTSA Congress.

Sr. Letmore Vimbai Chigudu

Medical Protection Society - Medico-Legal Case Manager

Sister Letmore V. Chigudu (Letty) is a registered nurse with the South African Nursing Council, qualified since 2007, with extensive clinical experience across public, private, and NGO healthcare sectors in Zimbabwe and South Africa. In 2012, she moved into managed care, working as a pre-authorisation nurse and clinical case manager, where she evaluated hospital admissions for clinical appropriateness, financial risk, and compliance with medical aid protocols. Since joining the Medical Protection Society South Africa in 2020 as a Case Manager, she has earned a certificate in Introduction to Medical Law from the Law Society of South Africa. Her role involves supporting members with complaints, advising on medicolegal matters, and assisting healthcare professionals with HPCSA investigations. Letty is also a sought-after speaker, delivering lectures and facilitating CPD-accredited seminars and conferences nationwide.

Dr. Devon Muir

National Health Laboratory Service - Stellenbosch - Pathologist

Dr Devon Muir serves as a pathologist for the Division of Medical Virology at Stellenbosch University & NHLS. She is actively involved in implementing and monitoring quality management systems and optimizing workflows within the laboratory setting. She is passionate about creating a collaborative team environment for laboratory professionals, filled with learning and growth opportunities.

Mrs. Santie van Niekerk

MiChem Dynamics Pty Ltd - Director and Co-Founder

Santie van Niekerk is a visionary leader, mentor, and coach with over 20 years’ experience blending technical expertise with heart-led leadership. Holding a Baccalaureus Degree in Biomedical Technology and Total Quality Management, she has excelled in medical, food, and environmental laboratories—leading teams, ensuring compliance, and building systems of excellence. A certified mentor and leadership facilitator, Santie guides professionals to lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose. Her expertise includes ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 15189, ISO/IEC 17020, and ISO 9001, with extensive global experience in audits, training, and leadership development. As co-founder and Director of MiChem Dynamics (Pty) Ltd and VGL Dimensions (Pty) Ltd, her mission is to uplift industries through professional excellence, ethical leadership, and spiritual consciousness, fostering workplaces where people feel valued and inspired.

Dr. Ashlin Rampul

PathCare - Pathologist

Dr Ashlin Rampul is a chemical pathologist at PathCare. He was the first South African to be a Core-Member of the international federation of clinical chemistry task force for young scientists. He was the first chairperson of the Africa federation of clinical chemistry young scientists. He loves teaching, mentoring and training young scientists, registrars and technologists from Africa. He was awarded the health care mentor of the year from the African health excellence awards in 2024. This year he was awarded the top 100 influential men in South Africa for 2025. He wants the next generation of African scientists to prosper via Education and opportunities globally.

Dr. Francois Smit

SMLTSA EXCO Member - PathCare Laboratories - Services & Resource Manager

Dr Francois Smit (PhD) is a HPCSA-registered medical technologist with over 24 years’ experience in private pathology, specialising in Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pathology. He earned his doctorate in Medical Laboratory Science in 2019 and currently serves as Services & Resources Manager at PathCare, Somerset West, overseeing operations in the Winelands and Overberg regions. His expertise spans laboratory operations, stakeholder engagement, student supervision, and applied research. A dedicated member of the Society of Medical Laboratory Technology of South Africa (SMLTSA) since 2001, he serves on its Executive Committee. Internationally recognised for his research, Dr Smit is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medical Laboratory Technology of South Africa and on the editorial board of the International Journal of Biomedical Laboratory Science. His professional interests include laboratory management, quality management systems, and biomedical science education. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys family time and exploring the role of artificial intelligence in advancing medical laboratory science.

Mr. Eric Spencer

PathCare Laboratories - Learning & Organization Development Executive

Eric Spencer, a member of PathCare Laboratories’ Executive Management team, leads learning and organisational development. With over 25 years at PathCare, he began in Human Resources before founding the PathCare Academy in 2006. He also has 10 years’ experience in private education and 25 years in board and trustee roles, including founding board member of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, Chair of the PathCare Pension Fund since 2014, and Chair of the PathCare Partners’ Scholarship Fund since 2012. Educated at Georgetown University and holding an MPhil from Stellenbosch Business School, his research explored existential philosophy in leadership for medical partnerships. A seasoned public speaker, his interests include ethics, philosophy, fine art, classical music, hiking, and history, with a personal goal to visit more countries than his years lived.

Dr Glenda Davison

Cape Peninsula University of Technology - Head of Department

Dr Glenda Davison is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). She holds a PhD in Haematology from the University of Cape Town, where she researched the immune system’s role in Myelodysplastic Syndromes. With a career spanning clinical laboratory work, teaching, and research leadership, she has published over 20 peer-reviewed papers on topics including microRNA biomarkers, cardiovascular disease, anaemia, sepsis, and immune dysfunction. Dr Davison is the interim NRF/Nedbank SARChI Chair (2022–2027) and a collaborator in the NIH Fogarty Training grant to build research capacity in historically disadvantaged institutions. She plays a vital role in postgraduate education, teaching advanced haematology and immunology, while also serving as an Honorary Associate Professor at UCT. Additionally, she is Section Editor for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine and the Journal of Medical Science and Technology South Africa. Passionate about education and mentorship, she is committed to advancing biomedical science.

Bruce Wade

Professional Speaker | Coach | Author EM Solutions

Prepare to have your thinking transformed. Bruce Wade is a visionary who has redefined innovation thought leadership through his revolutionary "Extreme Thinking" methodology. He is the architect of the i5 Framework that's helping leaders, teams and organisations break through conventional innovation barriers. His mission is simple yet profound: challenge every assumption, explore impossible possibilities, and create solutions that don't yet exist. Please join me in welcoming the pioneer of extreme thinking and architect of i5 thought transformation.

be part of our success. Register today.

The 2025 Congress is brought to you by SMLTSA. SMLTSA is dedicated to the promotion of the aims and ideals of medical laboratory science, appropriate to the interests of the community it serves, within a comprehensive unitary health service