Patient Experience and Patient Care Team
Meet Dee Delekiso-Koko
Operations Manager
Dee is all about efficiency and improving processes.
With 15 years of experience in logistics and engineering, her goal is to create an environment where the Care Partner team can utilise the most streamlined methods to offer the best care to our patients.
She has a passion for overall wellness and a heart for people, and her biggest highlight in joining Alignd is finally being able to give back with purpose.
Meet Natasha Nel
Enrollment Lead
Natasha’s background is in psychology and research.
Her role at Alignd is to extend the reach of palliative care to as many people living with cancer as possible.
Seeing how palliative care improves the quality of life of cancer patients is the most rewarding aspect of her work.
Things that make her heart feel full are family, retreats in nature, her animals and British detective series.
She frequently wishes she spent more time meditating, exercising and painting.
Meet Saarah Slamang
Enrollment Partner
Saarah is a passionate social worker.
In her role as an Enrolment Partner, Saarah engages with potential patients on a daily basis.
With a compassionate approach, she lends a listening ear, assesses their current health challenges, and extends a helping hand through the Alignd Palliative Care Program.
As the first point of contact with Alignd, Saarah warmly welcomes individuals and serves as their initial source of support, guiding them out of their struggles.
Meet Joh-Stine Golding
Care Partner
Joh-Stine is a dedicated social worker specialising in mental health.
Through her expertise and empathetic approach, Joh-Stine strives to make a positive impact on the well-being of those she serves.
With a strong focus on mental health, Joh-Stine understands the importance of addressing the unique challenges individuals and families face. By offering tailored support and guidance, she aims to empower her patients to navigate their journeys towards improved well-being.
Meet Nancy Mini
Care Partner
Nancy is a professional nurse with 35 years’ experience in diverse disciplines of nursing, including oncology and HIV/AIDS.
She has a postgraduate diploma in Public Health, and recently completed her postgraduate diploma in Palliative Medicine at the University of Cape Town.
Nancy believes Alignd has made it possible for more people to access the benefits that palliative care brings, and hopes more people will take advantage of it early on in their serious illness journey.
Meet Nicole Booth-Jones
Care Partner
Nicole is a qualified physiotherapist with a deep passion for helping people.
After working in a rural hospital setting, she realised that she wanted to be a part of improving healthcare in South Africa.
To Nicole, personal connection is everything.
By placing high importance on things like empathy and kindness, she aims to make sure that people feel heard and that patients and their families feel supported throughout their journey.
Meet Kelebogile Phawe
Care Partner
Kelebogile has worked for various NGO’s with a focus on increasing access to quality healthcare services for marginalised communities.
She’s skilled in providing emotional and supportive counselling to patients and families.
In her role as a care partner at Alignd she’s thrilled to be part of a solution to providing access to patient-centred and value-based healthcare.
Meet Palesa Lekhesa
Care Partner
Palesa is a dedicated Social Worker with diverse experience across various fields of social work.
Her passion lies in advocating for the vulnerable, particularly those residing in rural areas with limited resources.
Palesa actively engages in creating awareness around mental health prioritization in the workplace to combat burnout and promote overall well-being.
Meet Lulibo Toto
Care Partner
Lulibo is a dedicated Care Partner who discovered their passion for helping people and connecting with individuals during their studies in Psychology at Rhodes.
Since then, they have immersed themselves in the healthcare space and have never looked back.
Lulibo recognises that this understanding the experiences that shape people’s perspective on life is a powerful tool in assisting individuals in accessing the precise type of care they require.
Meet Nikita Gopaul
Care Partner
Nikita is a qualified social worker with a genuine passion for empowering and supporting individuals.
Nikita’s optimistic attitude and deep sense of purpose enable them to provide high-quality care to patients during their most vulnerable times.
Nikita’s enthusiasm stems from being a part of a company that shares their values and prioritizes the wellbeing of individuals.
Provider and Clinical Team
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience.
She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Claire Van Staden
Clinical Specialist
Claire Is a registered ICU trained nurse with 25 years of clinical experience.
Throughout her nursing career, she has discovered her true calling in the palliative home care sector.
With a deep understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients, Claire believes in providing supportive holistic care as a fundamental aspect of patient well-being and is committed to creating a nurturing environment that fosters open communication, trust, and understanding among all stakeholders involved.
Meet Nikita Greenhill
Network Manager
Nikita has a background in molecular biology and she has developed a specialisation in the operations of early stage businesses.
With experience spanning from various sectors, including in vitro diagnostics, academic publishing, and software development, Nikita brings a diverse skill set to her role.
Driven by her passion for making a difference, Nikita is dedicated to building systems that allow patients and families to focus on the present moment.
Meet Kirsten de Villiers
Network Manager
Kirsten is a highly skilled Network Manager with a unique background in both Marketing and Physiotherapy.
With over 10 years of experience in managed care, Kirsten is deeply passionate about enhancing the patient and provider experience within the healthcare industry.
Kirsten is dedicated to improving the accessibility of patient-centered and value-based care in South Africa.
She brings a personal connection to the need for accessible palliative care, which further fuels her commitment to making a difference.
Guardians
Meet Lungi Nyathi
Firestarter (and CEO)
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care.
She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery.
She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Meet Mufaro Chiwara
Problem Solver
Mufaro has a keen desire to improve the world through business.
Alignd’s ability to improve the lives of patients, providers and medical funders is exactly the sort of value creation that sparks him. Before joining Alignd, Mufaro was a consultant at our sister company, Percept.
Mufaro has an educational background in actuarial science and in entrepreneurship from UCT.
Meet Ryan Jordan
Blueprint Wizard
Ryan is a versatile manager, consultant and entrepreneur.
He has worked in multiple industries, in companies ranging from start-ups to large multinationals in a broad range of industries and countries.
He is happiest in the mountains or when working with talented individuals on a new challenge.
Meet Ursula Torr
Solution Finder
Ursula is all about people. Combine this with actuarial training, deep creativity, and a passion to forge progress for South Africans and you have the key to Ursula’s interest in Alignd.
Ursula’s professional background has been in the financial services sector, both risk and investments; and in both, on a technical as well as marketing front.
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience.
She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm.
She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science.
He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Tech, Data and Analytics
Meet Nduduzo Phili
Data & Technology Professional
With several years of experience in the information technology field, Nduduzo possesses a unique perspective shaped by his interdisciplinary studies in technology, social science, and business.
He actively contributes to various projects that leverage data to solve real-world problems. Nduduzo firmly believes in the power of kindness and considers it a crucial value in our interconnected world.
He feels blessed to be part of an organisation that is committed to promoting compassion and care within the healthcare industry.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science.
He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Meet Martin Coxon
Analytics Lead & Product Development
Martin is an actuary with wide-ranging expertise across insurers and health care providers, specializing in analytics and strategic projects.
He has a keen understanding of data, how it is constructed, and how to apply data effectively across a wide variety of health insurance domains ranging from product design and pricing to marketing and provider selection.
He has a deep passion for value-based care, and using data to make a meaningful difference to each and every patient.
Administration
Meet Naseema Mohamed
Office Manager
Naseema’s academic and professional background revolves around administration, which has been instrumental in her personal growth.
With a wealth of practical experience and expertise, she is well-equipped to fulfill her responsibilities in the field of administration.
Currently serving as the Office Manager at Alignd, Naseema plays a crucial role in coordinating administrative tasks and providing essential support. Her dedication and proficiency make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Board
Meet Soshan Soobramoney
Independent Chair of the Board
Soshan is an actuary, lecturer, and influential leader. With extensive experience developing insurance and savings products across Africa, he has made a lasting impact in the industry.
Soshan’s passion for fostering courageous thinking has led him to become a certified Time To Think Facilitator, creating environments that inspire innovation.
As the Independent Chair of the Board at Alignd, he guides strategic direction while promoting safe and inclusive spaces. Soshan’s dedication to building quality relationships and transforming teams has resulted in lasting change.
He is also a board member of the South African Mathematics Foundation and co-founder of Actuaries in the Making (AIM) program.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm.
She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science.
He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Meet Sharon Kunaka
Board Member
Sharon is a Chartered Accountant and Venture Capital Investor. With a strong background in finance and accounting, she identifies and funds promising tech or tech-enabled startups.
Now, she aims to leverage her skills and experience to support Alignd’s team in expanding their product offering and accessibility, multiplying their efforts to make a positive contribution in people’s lives.
Driven by a deep-rooted desire to create a better world for the average person, Sharon views entrepreneurship as a powerful catalyst for economic change.
She believes that by supporting innovative startups, particularly in the technology and tech-enabled sectors, she can contribute significantly to this transformative process.
Meet Lungi Nyathi
CEO
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care.
She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery.
She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Alignd.
Value.
Alignd brings a unique combination of clinical, financial and analytical skills to bear on the pressing challenges in our health system. Our ambition is a patient-centred and compassionate health system.
Trust.
The current system is predicated on a lack of trust, with funders and providers seldom working constructively together. Our aim is to change that.
Solutions.
Our solutions bring together multiple components (benefit design, provider network, patient support, data analytics and a value-based payment mechanism) into a coherent framework.
Our Manifesto.
Gather your pieces. Do the work. Know that the work has its own force and rhythm.
Practice not-knowing. But remember that you do know. Widen your perspective.
See your Self clearly. Find kinship in a common purpose. Seek alignment. Pursue congruence.
Reunite with a code of grace. Be impeccable with your agreements. Choose your words with care.
Stand strong. Be all the way here.
Serve whole heartedly. Give your all without giving yourself away. Take full responsibility and no more.
Honour your inner and outer resources. Allow simple things to please you. Keep some room for the unimaginable.
Bear witness. Share scars, not wounds. Admit how hard it is.
Rally like rainclouds. Examine what you tolerate.
Be kind, even when it is uncomfortable. Learn ease, and then teach it to others.
Redefine what matters. Light the way.
Birth a new generational cycle.
Pioneer stillness. Be brave. Breathe.
Patient Experience and Patient Care Team
Meet Dee Delekiso-Koko
Operations Manager
Dee is all about efficiency and improving processes. With 15 years of experience in logistics and engineering, her goal is to create an environment where the Care Partner team can utilise the most streamlined methods to offer the best care to our patients. She has a passion for overall wellness and a heart for people, and her biggest highlight in joining Alignd is finally being able to give back with purpose.
Meet Natasha Nel
Enrollment Lead
Natasha’s background is in psychology and research. Her role at Alignd is to extend the reach of
palliative care to as many people living with cancer as possible. Seeing how palliative care improves
the quality of life of cancer patients is the most rewarding aspect of her work. Things that make her
heart feel full are family, retreats in nature, her animals and British detective series.
She frequently wishes she spent more time meditating, exercising and painting.
Meet Saarah Slamang
Enrollment Partner
Saarah is a passionate social worker. In her role as an Enrolment Partner, Saarah engages with potential patients on a daily basis. With a compassionate approach, she lends a listening ear, assesses their current health challenges, and extends a helping hand through the Alignd Palliative Care Program.
As the first point of contact with Alignd, Saarah warmly welcomes individuals and serves as their initial source of support, guiding them out of their struggles.
Meet Joh-Stine Golding
Care Partner
Joh-Stine is a dedicated social worker specialising in mental health.
Through her expertise and empathetic approach, Joh-Stine strives to make a positive impact on the well-being of those she serves.
With a strong focus on mental health, Joh-Stine understands the importance of addressing the unique challenges individuals and families face. By offering tailored support and guidance, she aims to empower her patients to navigate their journeys towards improved well-being.
Meet Nancy Mini
Care Partner
Nancy is a professional nurse with 35 years’ experience in diverse disciplines of nursing, including oncology and HIV/AIDS. She has a postgraduate diploma in Public Health, and recently completed her postgraduate diploma in Palliative Medicine at the University of Cape Town. Nancy believes Alignd has made it possible for more people to access the benefits that palliative care brings, and hopes more people will take advantage of it early on in their serious illness journey.
Meet Nicole Booth-Jones
Care Partner
Nicole is a qualified physiotherapist with a deep passion for helping people. After working in a rural hospital setting, she realised that she wanted to be a part of improving healthcare in South Africa. To Nicole, personal connection is everything. By placing high importance on things like empathy and kindness, she aims to make sure that people feel heard and that patients and their families feel supported throughout their journey.
Meet Kelebogile Phawe
Care Partner
Kelebogile has worked for various NGO’s with a focus on increasing access to quality healthcare services for marginalised communities. She’s skilled in providing emotional and supportive counselling to patients and families. In her role as a care partner at Alignd she’s thrilled to be part of a solution to providing access to patient-centred and value-based healthcare.
Meet Palesa Lekhesa
Care Partner
Palesa is a dedicated Social Worker with diverse experience across various fields of social work. Her passion lies in advocating for the vulnerable, particularly those residing in rural areas with limited resources.
Palesa actively engages in creating awareness around mental health prioritization in the workplace to combat burnout and promote overall well-being.
Meet Lulibo Toto
Care Partner
Lulibo is a dedicated Care Partner who discovered their passion for helping people and connecting with individuals during their studies in Psychology at Rhodes. Since then, they have immersed themselves in the healthcare space and have never looked back. Lulibo recognises that this understanding the experiences that shape people’s perspective on life is a powerful tool in assisting individuals in accessing the precise type of care they require.
Meet Nikita Gopaul
Care Partner
Nikita is a qualified social worker with a genuine passion for empowering and supporting individuals. Nikita’s optimistic attitude and deep sense of purpose enable them to provide high-quality care to patients during their most vulnerable times. Nikita’s enthusiasm stems from being a part of a company that shares their values and prioritizes the wellbeing of individuals.
Provider and Clinical Team
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience. She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Nikita Greenhill
Network Manager
Nikita has a background in molecular biology and she has developed a specialisation in the operations of early stage businesses. With experience spanning from various sectors, including in vitro diagnostics, academic publishing, and software development, Nikita brings a diverse skill set to her role. Driven by her passion for making a difference, Nikita is dedicated to building systems that allow patients and families to focus on the present moment.
Meet Kirsten de Villiers
Clinical Specialist
Kirsten is a highly skilled Network Manager with a unique background in both Marketing and Physiotherapy. With over 10 years of experience in managed care, Kirsten is deeply passionate about enhancing the patient and provider experience within the healthcare industry.
Kirsten is dedicated to improving the accessibility of patient-centered and value-based care in South Africa. She brings a personal connection to the need for accessible palliative care, which further fuels her commitment to making a difference.
Meet Claire Van Staden
Clinical Specialist
Claire Is a registered ICU trained nurse with 25 years of clinical experience. Throughout her nursing career, she has discovered her true calling in the palliative home care sector.
With a deep understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients, Claire believes in providing supportive holistic care as a fundamental aspect of patient well-being and is committed to creating a nurturing environment that fosters open communication, trust, and understanding among all stakeholders involved.
Guardians
Meet Lungi Nyathi
Firestarter (and CEO)
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care. She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery. She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Meet Mufaro Chiwara
Problem Solver
Mufaro has a keen desire to improve the world through business. Alignd’s ability to improve the lives of patients, providers and medical funders is exactly the sort of value creation that sparks him. Before joining Alignd, Mufaro was a consultant at our sister company, Percept. Mufaro has an educational background in actuarial science and in entrepreneurship from UCT.
Meet Ryan Jordan
Blueprint Wizard
Ryan is a versatile manager, consultant and entrepreneur. He has worked in multiple industries, in companies ranging from start-ups to large multinationals in a broad range of industries and countries. He is happiest in the mountains or when working with talented individuals on a new challenge.
Meet Ursula Torr
Solution Finder
Ursula is all about people. Combine this with actuarial training, deep creativity, and a passion to forge progress for South Africans and you have the key to Ursula’s interest in Alignd. Ursula’s professional background has been in the financial services sector, both risk and investments; and in both, on a technical as well as marketing front.
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience. She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm. She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Tech, Data and Analytics
Meet Nduduzo Phili
Data & Technology Professional
With several years of experience in the information technology field, Nduduzo possesses a unique perspective shaped by his interdisciplinary studies in technology, social science, and business. He actively contributes to various projects that leverage data to solve real-world problems. Nduduzo firmly believes in the power of kindness and considers it a crucial value in our interconnected world. He feels blessed to be part of an organisation that is committed to promoting compassion and care within the healthcare industry.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
NNjabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution
Meet Martin Coxon
Analytics Lead & Product Development
Martin is an actuary with wide-ranging expertise across insurers and health care providers, specializing in analytics and strategic projects. He has a keen understanding of data, how it is constructed, and how to apply data effectively across a wide variety of health insurance domains ranging from product design and pricing to marketing and provider selection. He has a deep passion for value-based care, and using data to make a meaningful difference to each and every patient.
Administration
Meet Naseema Mohamed
Office Manager
Naseema’s academic and professional background revolves around administration, which has been instrumental in her personal growth. With a wealth of practical experience and expertise, she is well-equipped to fulfill her responsibilities in the field of administration.
Currently serving as the Office Manager at Alignd, Naseema plays a crucial role in coordinating administrative tasks and providing essential support. Her dedication and proficiency make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Board
Meet Soshan Soobramoney
Independent Chair of the Board
Soshan is an actuary, lecturer, and influential leader. With extensive experience developing insurance and savings products across Africa, he has made a lasting impact in the industry.
Soshan’s passion for fostering courageous thinking has led him to become a certified Time To Think Facilitator, creating environments that inspire innovation. As the Independent Chair of the Board at Alignd, he guides strategic direction while promoting safe and inclusive spaces. Soshan's dedication to building quality relationships and transforming teams has resulted in lasting change.
He is also a board member of the South African Mathematics Foundation and co-founder of Actuaries in the Making (AIM) program.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm. She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Meet Lungi Nyathi
CEO
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care. She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery. She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Meet Sharon Kunaka
Board Member
Sharon is a Chartered Accountant and Venture Capital Investor. With a strong background in finance and accounting, she identifies and funds promising tech or tech-enabled startups. Now, she aims to leverage her skills and experience to support Alignd’s team in expanding their product offering and accessibility, multiplying their efforts to make a positive contribution in people’s lives.
Driven by a deep-rooted desire to create a better world for the average person, Sharon views entrepreneurship as a powerful catalyst for economic change. She believes that by supporting innovative startups, particularly in the technology and tech-enabled sectors, she can contribute significantly to this transformative process.
Alignd.
Value.
Alignd brings a unique combination of clinical, financial and analytical skills to bear on the pressing challenges in our health system. Our ambition is a patient-centred and compassionate health system.
Trust.
The current system is predicated on a lack of trust, with funders and providers seldom working constructively together. Our aim is to change that.
Solutions.
Our solutions bring together multiple components (benefit design, provider network, patient support, data analytics and a value-based payment mechanism) into a coherent framework.
Our Manifesto.
Gather your pieces. Do the work. Know that the work has its own force and rhythm.
Practice not-knowing. But remember that you do know. Widen your perspective.
See your Self clearly. Find kinship in a common purpose. Seek alignment. Pursue congruence.
Reunite with a code of grace. Be impeccable with your agreements. Choose your words with care.
Stand strong. Be all the way here.
Serve whole heartedly. Give your all without giving yourself away. Take full responsibility and no more.
Honour your inner and outer resources. Allow simple things to please you. Keep some room for the unimaginable.
Bear witness. Share scars, not wounds. Admit how hard it is.
Rally like rainclouds. Examine what you tolerate.
Be kind, even when it is uncomfortable. Learn ease, and then teach it to others.
Redefine what matters. Light the way.
Birth a new generational cycle.
Pioneer stillness. Be brave. Breathe.
Patient Experience and Patient Care Team
Meet Dee Delekiso-Koko
Operations Manager
Dee is all about efficiency and improving processes. With 15 years of experience in logistics and engineering, her goal is to create an environment where the Care Partner team can utilise the most streamlined methods to offer the best care to our patients. She has a passion for overall wellness and a heart for people, and her biggest highlight in joining Alignd is finally being able to give back with purpose.
Meet Natasha Nel
Enrollment Lead
Natasha’s background is in psychology and research. Her role at Alignd is to extend the reach of
palliative care to as many people living with cancer as possible. Seeing how palliative care improves
the quality of life of cancer patients is the most rewarding aspect of her work. Things that make her
heart feel full are family, retreats in nature, her animals and British detective series.
She frequently wishes she spent more time meditating, exercising and painting.
Meet Saarah Slamang
Enrollment Partner
Saarah is a passionate social worker. In her role as an Enrolment Partner, Saarah engages with potential patients on a daily basis. With a compassionate approach, she lends a listening ear, assesses their current health challenges, and extends a helping hand through the Alignd Palliative Care Program.
As the first point of contact with Alignd, Saarah warmly welcomes individuals and serves as their initial source of support, guiding them out of their struggles.
Meet Joh-Stine Golding
Care Partner
Joh-Stine is a dedicated social worker specialising in mental health.
Through her expertise and empathetic approach, Joh-Stine strives to make a positive impact on the well-being of those she serves.
With a strong focus on mental health, Joh-Stine understands the importance of addressing the unique challenges individuals and families face. By offering tailored support and guidance, she aims to empower her patients to navigate their journeys towards improved well-being.
Meet Nancy Mini
Care Partner
Nancy is a professional nurse with 35 years’ experience in diverse disciplines of nursing, including oncology and HIV/AIDS. She has a postgraduate diploma in Public Health, and recently completed her postgraduate diploma in Palliative Medicine at the University of Cape Town. Nancy believes Alignd has made it possible for more people to access the benefits that palliative care brings, and hopes more people will take advantage of it early on in their serious illness journey.
Meet Nicole Booth-Jones
Care Partner
Nicole is a qualified physiotherapist with a deep passion for helping people. After working in a rural hospital setting, she realised that she wanted to be a part of improving healthcare in South Africa. To Nicole, personal connection is everything. By placing high importance on things like empathy and kindness, she aims to make sure that people feel heard and that patients and their families feel supported throughout their journey.
Meet Kelebogile Phawe
Care Partner
Kelebogile has worked for various NGO’s with a focus on increasing access to quality healthcare services for marginalised communities. She’s skilled in providing emotional and supportive counselling to patients and families. In her role as a care partner at Alignd she’s thrilled to be part of a solution to providing access to patient-centred and value-based healthcare.
Meet Palesa Lekhesa
Care Partner
Palesa is a dedicated Social Worker with diverse experience across various fields of social work. Her passion lies in advocating for the vulnerable, particularly those residing in rural areas with limited resources.
Palesa actively engages in creating awareness around mental health prioritization in the workplace to combat burnout and promote overall well-being.
Meet Lulibo Toto
Care Partner
Lulibo is a dedicated Care Partner who discovered their passion for helping people and connecting with individuals during their studies in Psychology at Rhodes. Since then, they have immersed themselves in the healthcare space and have never looked back. Lulibo recognises that this understanding the experiences that shape people’s perspective on life is a powerful tool in assisting individuals in accessing the precise type of care they require.
Meet Nikita Gopaul
Care Partner
Nikita is a qualified social worker with a genuine passion for empowering and supporting individuals. Nikita’s optimistic attitude and deep sense of purpose enable them to provide high-quality care to patients during their most vulnerable times. Nikita’s enthusiasm stems from being a part of a company that shares their values and prioritizes the wellbeing of individuals.
Provider and Clinical Team
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience. She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Nikita Greenhill
Network Manager
Nikita has a background in molecular biology and she has developed a specialisation in the operations of early stage businesses. With experience spanning from various sectors, including in vitro diagnostics, academic publishing, and software development, Nikita brings a diverse skill set to her role. Driven by her passion for making a difference, Nikita is dedicated to building systems that allow patients and families to focus on the present moment.
Meet Kirsten de Villiers
Clinical Specialist
Kirsten is a highly skilled Network Manager with a unique background in both Marketing and Physiotherapy. With over 10 years of experience in managed care, Kirsten is deeply passionate about enhancing the patient and provider experience within the healthcare industry.
Kirsten is dedicated to improving the accessibility of patient-centered and value-based care in South Africa. She brings a personal connection to the need for accessible palliative care, which further fuels her commitment to making a difference.
Meet Claire Van Staden
Clinical Specialist
Claire Is a registered ICU trained nurse with 25 years of clinical experience. Throughout her nursing career, she has discovered her true calling in the palliative home care sector.
With a deep understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients, Claire believes in providing supportive holistic care as a fundamental aspect of patient well-being and is committed to creating a nurturing environment that fosters open communication, trust, and understanding among all stakeholders involved.
Guardians
Meet Lungi Nyathi
Firestarter (and CEO)
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care. She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery. She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Meet Mufaro Chiwara
Problem Solver
Mufaro has a keen desire to improve the world through business. Alignd’s ability to improve the lives of patients, providers and medical funders is exactly the sort of value creation that sparks him. Before joining Alignd, Mufaro was a consultant at our sister company, Percept. Mufaro has an educational background in actuarial science and in entrepreneurship from UCT.
Meet Ryan Jordan
Blueprint Wizard
Ryan is a versatile manager, consultant and entrepreneur. He has worked in multiple industries, in companies ranging from start-ups to large multinationals in a broad range of industries and countries. He is happiest in the mountains or when working with talented individuals on a new challenge.
Meet Ursula Torr
Solution Finder
Ursula is all about people. Combine this with actuarial training, deep creativity, and a passion to forge progress for South Africans and you have the key to Ursula’s interest in Alignd. Ursula’s professional background has been in the financial services sector, both risk and investments; and in both, on a technical as well as marketing front.
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience. She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm. She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Tech, Data and Analytics
Meet Nduduzo Phili
Data & Technology Professional
With several years of experience in the information technology field, Nduduzo possesses a unique perspective shaped by his interdisciplinary studies in technology, social science, and business. He actively contributes to various projects that leverage data to solve real-world problems. Nduduzo firmly believes in the power of kindness and considers it a crucial value in our interconnected world. He feels blessed to be part of an organisation that is committed to promoting compassion and care within the healthcare industry.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
NNjabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution
Meet Martin Coxon
Analytics Lead & Product Development
Martin is an actuary with wide-ranging expertise across insurers and health care providers, specializing in analytics and strategic projects. He has a keen understanding of data, how it is constructed, and how to apply data effectively across a wide variety of health insurance domains ranging from product design and pricing to marketing and provider selection. He has a deep passion for value-based care, and using data to make a meaningful difference to each and every patient.
Administration
Meet Naseema Mohamed
Office Manager
Naseema’s academic and professional background revolves around administration, which has been instrumental in her personal growth. With a wealth of practical experience and expertise, she is well-equipped to fulfill her responsibilities in the field of administration.
Currently serving as the Office Manager at Alignd, Naseema plays a crucial role in coordinating administrative tasks and providing essential support. Her dedication and proficiency make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Board
Meet Soshan Soobramoney
Independent Chair of the Board
Soshan is an actuary, lecturer, and influential leader. With extensive experience developing insurance and savings products across Africa, he has made a lasting impact in the industry.
Soshan’s passion for fostering courageous thinking has led him to become a certified Time To Think Facilitator, creating environments that inspire innovation. As the Independent Chair of the Board at Alignd, he guides strategic direction while promoting safe and inclusive spaces. Soshan's dedication to building quality relationships and transforming teams has resulted in lasting change.
He is also a board member of the South African Mathematics Foundation and co-founder of Actuaries in the Making (AIM) program.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm. She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Meet Lungi Nyathi
CEO
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care. She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery. She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Meet Sharon Kunaka
Board Member
Sharon is a Chartered Accountant and Venture Capital Investor. With a strong background in finance and accounting, she identifies and funds promising tech or tech-enabled startups. Now, she aims to leverage her skills and experience to support Alignd’s team in expanding their product offering and accessibility, multiplying their efforts to make a positive contribution in people’s lives.
Driven by a deep-rooted desire to create a better world for the average person, Sharon views entrepreneurship as a powerful catalyst for economic change. She believes that by supporting innovative startups, particularly in the technology and tech-enabled sectors, she can contribute significantly to this transformative process.
Alignd.
Value.
Alignd brings a unique combination of clinical, financial and analytical skills to bear on the pressing challenges in our health system. Our ambition is a patient-centred and compassionate health system.
Trust.
The current system is predicated on a lack of trust, with funders and providers seldom working constructively together. Our aim is to change that.
Solutions.
Our solutions bring together multiple components (benefit design, provider network, patient support, data analytics and a value-based payment mechanism) into a coherent framework.
Our Manifesto.
Gather your pieces. Do the work. Know that the work has its own force and rhythm.
Practice not-knowing. But remember that you do know. Widen your perspective.
See your Self clearly. Find kinship in a common purpose. Seek alignment. Pursue congruence.
Reunite with a code of grace. Be impeccable with your agreements. Choose your words with care.
Stand strong. Be all the way here.
Serve whole heartedly. Give your all without giving yourself away. Take full responsibility and no more.
Honour your inner and outer resources. Allow simple things to please you. Keep some room for the unimaginable.
Bear witness. Share scars, not wounds. Admit how hard it is.
Rally like rainclouds. Examine what you tolerate.
Be kind, even when it is uncomfortable. Learn ease, and then teach it to others.
Redefine what matters. Light the way.
Birth a new generational cycle.
Pioneer stillness. Be brave. Breathe.
Patient Experience and Patient Care Team
Meet Dee Delekiso-Koko
Operations Manager
Dee is all about efficiency and improving processes. With 15 years of experience in logistics and engineering, her goal is to create an environment where the Care Partner team can utilise the most streamlined methods to offer the best care to our patients. She has a passion for overall wellness and a heart for people, and her biggest highlight in joining Alignd is finally being able to give back with purpose.
Meet Natasha Nel
Enrollment Lead
Natasha’s background is in psychology and research. Her role at Alignd is to extend the reach of
palliative care to as many people living with cancer as possible. Seeing how palliative care improves
the quality of life of cancer patients is the most rewarding aspect of her work. Things that make her
heart feel full are family, retreats in nature, her animals and British detective series.
She frequently wishes she spent more time meditating, exercising and painting.
Meet Saarah Slamang
Enrollment Partner
Saarah is a passionate social worker. In her role as an Enrolment Partner, Saarah engages with potential patients on a daily basis. With a compassionate approach, she lends a listening ear, assesses their current health challenges, and extends a helping hand through the Alignd Palliative Care Program.
As the first point of contact with Alignd, Saarah warmly welcomes individuals and serves as their initial source of support, guiding them out of their struggles.
Meet Joh-Stine Golding
Care Partner
Joh-Stine is a dedicated social worker specialising in mental health.
Through her expertise and empathetic approach, Joh-Stine strives to make a positive impact on the well-being of those she serves.
With a strong focus on mental health, Joh-Stine understands the importance of addressing the unique challenges individuals and families face. By offering tailored support and guidance, she aims to empower her patients to navigate their journeys towards improved well-being.
Meet Nancy Mini
Care Partner
Nancy is a professional nurse with 35 years’ experience in diverse disciplines of nursing, including oncology and HIV/AIDS. She has a postgraduate diploma in Public Health, and recently completed her postgraduate diploma in Palliative Medicine at the University of Cape Town. Nancy believes Alignd has made it possible for more people to access the benefits that palliative care brings, and hopes more people will take advantage of it early on in their serious illness journey.
Meet Nicole Booth-Jones
Care Partner
Nicole is a qualified physiotherapist with a deep passion for helping people. After working in a rural hospital setting, she realised that she wanted to be a part of improving healthcare in South Africa. To Nicole, personal connection is everything. By placing high importance on things like empathy and kindness, she aims to make sure that people feel heard and that patients and their families feel supported throughout their journey.
Meet Kelebogile Phawe
Care Partner
Kelebogile has worked for various NGO’s with a focus on increasing access to quality healthcare services for marginalised communities. She’s skilled in providing emotional and supportive counselling to patients and families. In her role as a care partner at Alignd she’s thrilled to be part of a solution to providing access to patient-centred and value-based healthcare.
Meet Palesa Lekhesa
Care Partner
Palesa is a dedicated Social Worker with diverse experience across various fields of social work. Her passion lies in advocating for the vulnerable, particularly those residing in rural areas with limited resources.
Palesa actively engages in creating awareness around mental health prioritization in the workplace to combat burnout and promote overall well-being.
Meet Lulibo Toto
Care Partner
Lulibo is a dedicated Care Partner who discovered their passion for helping people and connecting with individuals during their studies in Psychology at Rhodes. Since then, they have immersed themselves in the healthcare space and have never looked back. Lulibo recognises that this understanding the experiences that shape people’s perspective on life is a powerful tool in assisting individuals in accessing the precise type of care they require.
Meet Nikita Gopaul
Care Partner
Nikita is a qualified social worker with a genuine passion for empowering and supporting individuals. Nikita’s optimistic attitude and deep sense of purpose enable them to provide high-quality care to patients during their most vulnerable times. Nikita’s enthusiasm stems from being a part of a company that shares their values and prioritizes the wellbeing of individuals.
Provider and Clinical Team
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience. She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Nikita Greenhill
Network Manager
Nikita has a background in molecular biology and she has developed a specialisation in the operations of early stage businesses. With experience spanning from various sectors, including in vitro diagnostics, academic publishing, and software development, Nikita brings a diverse skill set to her role. Driven by her passion for making a difference, Nikita is dedicated to building systems that allow patients and families to focus on the present moment.
Meet Kirsten de Villiers
Clinical Specialist
Kirsten is a highly skilled Network Manager with a unique background in both Marketing and Physiotherapy. With over 10 years of experience in managed care, Kirsten is deeply passionate about enhancing the patient and provider experience within the healthcare industry.
Kirsten is dedicated to improving the accessibility of patient-centered and value-based care in South Africa. She brings a personal connection to the need for accessible palliative care, which further fuels her commitment to making a difference.
Meet Claire Van Staden
Clinical Specialist
Claire Is a registered ICU trained nurse with 25 years of clinical experience. Throughout her nursing career, she has discovered her true calling in the palliative home care sector.
With a deep understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients, Claire believes in providing supportive holistic care as a fundamental aspect of patient well-being and is committed to creating a nurturing environment that fosters open communication, trust, and understanding among all stakeholders involved.
Guardians
Meet Lungi Nyathi
Firestarter (and CEO)
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care. She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery. She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Meet Mufaro Chiwara
Problem Solver
Mufaro has a keen desire to improve the world through business. Alignd’s ability to improve the lives of patients, providers and medical funders is exactly the sort of value creation that sparks him. Before joining Alignd, Mufaro was a consultant at our sister company, Percept. Mufaro has an educational background in actuarial science and in entrepreneurship from UCT.
Meet Ryan Jordan
Blueprint Wizard
Ryan is a versatile manager, consultant and entrepreneur. He has worked in multiple industries, in companies ranging from start-ups to large multinationals in a broad range of industries and countries. He is happiest in the mountains or when working with talented individuals on a new challenge.
Meet Ursula Torr
Solution Finder
Ursula is all about people. Combine this with actuarial training, deep creativity, and a passion to forge progress for South Africans and you have the key to Ursula’s interest in Alignd. Ursula’s professional background has been in the financial services sector, both risk and investments; and in both, on a technical as well as marketing front.
Meet Linda Holding
Clinical Guardian
Linda is a palliative care-trained doctor, with 20 years of clinical risk management experience. She blends together on-the-ground experience of the health system, a sensitivity and compassion for patients, empathy for how healthcare providers experience the system and practical experience of the funder perspective.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm. She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Tech, Data and Analytics
Meet Nduduzo Phili
Data & Technology Professional
With several years of experience in the information technology field, Nduduzo possesses a unique perspective shaped by his interdisciplinary studies in technology, social science, and business. He actively contributes to various projects that leverage data to solve real-world problems. Nduduzo firmly believes in the power of kindness and considers it a crucial value in our interconnected world. He feels blessed to be part of an organisation that is committed to promoting compassion and care within the healthcare industry.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
NNjabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution
Meet Martin Coxon
Analytics Lead & Product Development
Martin is an actuary with wide-ranging expertise across insurers and health care providers, specializing in analytics and strategic projects. He has a keen understanding of data, how it is constructed, and how to apply data effectively across a wide variety of health insurance domains ranging from product design and pricing to marketing and provider selection. He has a deep passion for value-based care, and using data to make a meaningful difference to each and every patient.
Administration
Meet Naseema Mohamed
Office Manager
Naseema’s academic and professional background revolves around administration, which has been instrumental in her personal growth. With a wealth of practical experience and expertise, she is well-equipped to fulfill her responsibilities in the field of administration.
Currently serving as the Office Manager at Alignd, Naseema plays a crucial role in coordinating administrative tasks and providing essential support. Her dedication and proficiency make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Board
Meet Soshan Soobramoney
Independent Chair of the Board
Soshan is an actuary, lecturer, and influential leader. With extensive experience developing insurance and savings products across Africa, he has made a lasting impact in the industry.
Soshan’s passion for fostering courageous thinking has led him to become a certified Time To Think Facilitator, creating environments that inspire innovation. As the Independent Chair of the Board at Alignd, he guides strategic direction while promoting safe and inclusive spaces. Soshan's dedication to building quality relationships and transforming teams has resulted in lasting change.
He is also a board member of the South African Mathematics Foundation and co-founder of Actuaries in the Making (AIM) program.
Meet Shivani Ranchod
Strategic Advisor
Shivani is a healthcare actuary and academic. She is the co-founder and CEO of Percept, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm. She is an outspoken advocate of change in the South African health system, having worked across both the public and private sectors and the supply- and demand-sides of the system.
Meet Njabulo Dube
Technical Strategy Advisor
Njabulo holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from UCT, and has completed the coursework component of a Master’s degree in Advanced Analytics and Decision Science. He has worked as a data scientist at Percept Actuaries and Consultants and Alignd bringing together his versatile mix of actuarial and data science skills to build backend systems and a powerful data analytics platform for the Alignd solution.
Meet Lungi Nyathi
CEO
Lungi is a doctor with over 10 years of experience in health funding and managed care. She is passionate about the functional healthcare systems that support good health and excellent healthcare delivery. She wants to re-engineer the supply-side of healthcare using models that create a more beautiful world when one is done.
Meet Sharon Kunaka
Board Member
Sharon is a Chartered Accountant and Venture Capital Investor. With a strong background in finance and accounting, she identifies and funds promising tech or tech-enabled startups. Now, she aims to leverage her skills and experience to support Alignd’s team in expanding their product offering and accessibility, multiplying their efforts to make a positive contribution in people’s lives.
Driven by a deep-rooted desire to create a better world for the average person, Sharon views entrepreneurship as a powerful catalyst for economic change. She believes that by supporting innovative startups, particularly in the technology and tech-enabled sectors, she can contribute significantly to this transformative process.
Alignd.
Value.
Alignd brings a unique combination of clinical, financial and analytical skills to bear on the pressing challenges in our health system. Our ambition is a patient-centred and compassionate health system.
Trust.
The current system is predicated on a lack of trust, with funders and providers seldom working constructively together. Our aim is to change that.
Solutions.
Our solutions bring together multiple components (benefit design, provider network, patient support, data analytics and a value-based payment mechanism) into a coherent framework.
Our Manifesto.
Gather your pieces. Do the work. Know that the work has its own force and rhythm.
Practice not-knowing. But remember that you do know. Widen your perspective.
See your Self clearly. Find kinship in a common purpose. Seek alignment. Pursue congruence.
Reunite with a code of grace. Be impeccable with your agreements. Choose your words with care.
Stand strong. Be all the way here.
Serve whole heartedly. Give your all without giving yourself away. Take full responsibility and no more.
Honour your inner and outer resources. Allow simple things to please you. Keep some room for the unimaginable.
Bear witness. Share scars, not wounds. Admit how hard it is.
Rally like rainclouds. Examine what you tolerate.
Be kind, even when it is uncomfortable. Learn ease, and then teach it to others.
Redefine what matters. Light the way.
Birth a new generational cycle.
Pioneer stillness. Be brave. Breathe.
