Sandoz: Getting High-Quality Medicines To People In South Africa
The keynote argues that discovery alone is not progress: medicines matter only when they reach the people who need them. Zweli Bashman and Thandeka Nhleko are Country Head and Head Legal & Compliance for Sandoz South Africa. In this conversation, moderated by Neville Matjie, CEO of Brand South Africa, we dive into a candid, TED-style conversation where they explore what stands between proven medicines and South African patients, why access depends on more than affordability alone, and how leaders across business, government and society can help build the relationships and arrangements that make healthcare rights a reality for more people.
Speakers
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Zweli BashmanCountry Head, Sandoz South AfricaZweli Bashman
Country Head, Sandoz South Africa
Zweli Bashman has served as Country Head of Sandoz South Africa since June 2026, leading the business with a focus on sustainable growth, patient access and a high-performing culture. He brings more than 20 years of pharmaceutical experience across sub-Saharan Africa, including commercial leadership, market access, partnerships, clinical trials and manufacturing. Before joining Sandoz, he was Managing Director of MSD Sub-Saharan Africa. Zweli completed executive education at Henley Business School and Thunderbird School of Global Management, and has held several industry leadership roles. In 2023, he was named South Africa's Forty Under 40 Healthcare Category Winner.
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Thandeka NhlekoHead of Legal and Compliance and Company Secretary, Sandoz South AfricaThandeka Nhleko
Head of Legal and Compliance and Company Secretary, Sandoz South Africa
Thandeka is Head of Legal and Compliance and Company
Secretary at Sandoz South Africa, a role she has held since May
2024. She leads the legal and compliance function, providing
strategic guidance on corporate governance, regulatory matters,
commercial law, ethics and risk management. Prior to this role, she
served as Head of Legal and Company Secretary at Sandoz South
Africa from 2023 to 2024.Before joining Sandoz, Thandeka held a number of senior legal
leadership positions within Diageo across South Africa, Great
Britain and Seychelles, spanning commercial, regulatory,
employment, data protection and company secretarial matters. She
began her career at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.Thandeka holds an LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a
Postgraduate Diploma in Employment Law from the University of
Johannesburg and is an admitted Attorney and Notary Public. She
is a three-time Legal500 General Counsel South Africa Powerlist
honouree.Thandeka is a strong advocate for ethical business practices,
sound governance and compliance frameworks -
Neville MatjieCEO, Brand South AfricaNeville Matjie
CEO, Brand South Africa
Neville Matjie is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brand South Africa, the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, in order to improve its global competitiveness.
Prior to that he was Acting CEO of Freeport Saldanha Industrial Development Zone seconded from the IDC. Prior to that he served as the Special Advisor to the former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Hon Dube Ncube, with a focus on economic, trade and investment affairs. He also served as the CEO of the official Trade and Investment Agency for the KwaZulu-Natal province, where he championed a number of economic development initiatives including the establishment and launch of the One Stop Shop.
He holds multiple qualifications, with his undergraduate BA Comm from University of North-West. He did a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and did a Master of Science degree in Investment Promotion and Local Economic Development from Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland.
Neville has a strong background in strategy development, international trade, international marketing, deal making and business development. He has also led a number of high-level trade missions to several countries and facilitated numerous trade deals. He is passionate about creating jobs and has previously brought in over R400 billion of investments into the KwaZulu-Natal economy.
With his role as Chief Executive Officer of Brand South Africa, he is responsible for protecting and marketing the South African brand. He is committed to revitalising the country’s image, driving stakeholder engagement, and positioning South Africa as a globally competitive and reputable nation brand.