Board of Directors
Meet the Team behind SFLL
Our Board Members and Directors serve as dedicated volunteers, driven by a shared commitment to our mission. With the support of our members, they work tirelessly to ensure that seriously ill children and their families receive a level of care that reflects the exceptional skill of their surgeons.
Chairman
Prof. Jerome Alexander Loveland
MBBCh(Wits), FCS(SA)(Wits), Cert Paed Surg(SA)(Wits)
As a founding member of Surgeons for Little Lives, Jerome Loveland has chaired the Board since its inception in 2015. Jerome graduated with his MBBCh from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in 1996, became a fellow of the College of Surgeons (SA) in 2004, and received his certificate as a sub-specialist in Paediatric Surgery in 2006, all the while contributing to solid organ transplantation in South Africa.
Jerome is the current Academic Head of Transplantation at Wits University, and leads the Transplant Unit at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre. Having served as Academic Head of Paediatric Surgery at Wits for 2 terms between 2013 and 2023, Jerome worked as the Clinical Head of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (“Bara”) from 2009 to 2022, and it was at Baragwanath Hospital that he had the vision for the need, and developed, Surgeons for Little Lives. Whilst building the Department of Paediatric Surgery at Bara and Wits into a world class centre of patient care and training, he and the SFLL team have created a successful charity attuned on the needs of their young patients and their families, focusing on the pillars of Wits University, namely supporting clinical care, research, and training.
Prof Loveland has developed the Departments of Paediatric Surgery and Transplantation, but particularly Surgeons for Little Lives, guided by a personal quote which he frequently references:
“It is one thing to succeed in an established environment; quite another to establish that environment, and thereby breed success.”
Outside of his career, Jerome is a committed family man, supported by his wonderful wife Adele, and children Laura and Alec, with whom he spends as much quality time as possible. His mental battles are fought whilst running, paddling and surfing.
Director
Dr Andrew Grieve
MBBCh(Wits), FCS(SA)(Wits), Cert Paed Surg(SA)(Wits)
Andrew Grieve is a seasoned paediatric surgeon who studied medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand, earning his MBBCh and later completing his MMed and Fellowship of the College of Paediatric Surgery of South Africa (FC Paed Surg (SA)).
He currently serves as Head of General Paediatric Surgery at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), leading the surgical unit with clinical and administrative expertise. In addition, he is an Associate Professor)in the Department of Paediatric Surgery at Wits University, where he contributes actively to training and education.
Professor Grieve has undergone specialized training in the UK, completing a fellowship in a hepatobiliary unit in London. His clinical interests focus on minimally invasive surgery, paediatric hepatobiliary and oncology procedures, as well as urological surgery in children.
He is a Director of Surgeons for Little Lives, a non profit organisation that supports access to paediatric surgical care for underserved children in South Africa. Dr Grieve has published multiple peer reviewed papers and book chapters and is the founder of the “Discover Paediatric Surgery” podcast, an open-access educational initiative offering audio talks on key paediatric surgical topics.
Known among colleagues and trainees for his dedication to teaching, innovation, and compassionate patient care, Professor Grieve is also an avid outdoor enthusiast who values work–life balance.
Director
Dr Nirav Patel
BA(Hons) (Canada), MA (Wits), MBBCh (Wits), Mmed (Wits), FC Paed Surg (SA).
Dr Nirav Patel is a consultant paediatric surgeon at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Prior to medicine, Dr Patel completed Undergraduate (BA(Hons)) and Post Graduate Degrees (MA) in the Arts. Dr Patel previously worked for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Somaliland and was admitted as a Fellow of the College of Paediatric Surgeons of South Africa in 2019.
Dr Patel has a strong interest in academic research, surgical education, and global surgery. Dr Patel served as the President of the South African Society for Surgeons in Training (SASSiT), is a member of GICS, and sits on the board of Surgeons For Little Lives.
Dr Patel is passionate about the provision of high quality paediatric surgical care in resource constrained environments and has special interests in paediatric general surgery, burns, hepatobiliary surgery, and global surgery.
Director
Dr. Derek Harrison
BSc MBChB MMed (Surg), FC Paed Surg (SA)
Derek Harrison serves as the Academic Head of Paediatric Surgery at the University of the Witwatersrand and as Clinical Head at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
His primary focus is Paediatric Surgical Oncology, and he is extensively involved in national and international collaborations. He has contributed to the development of international surgical practice guidelines and plays a leading role in surgical oncology symposia.
Notably, he was invited as a “Meet the Expert” speaker on paediatric surgical oncology at the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Congress in Hawaii in 2024, where he presented initiatives such as standardizing oncological operative reporting, establishing a Global Paediatric Oncology Surgery Fellowship and committee, and advancing sub-specialty training.
Director
Sonya Leslie
Sonya spent 8 years in the financial industry before dedicating time to raising her family.
She now manages the family’s property portfolio with a focus on sustainable growth.
Driven by a deep commitment to children’s well-being, she joined the board to make a lasting impact.
Her blend of financial expertise and compassion brings a unique perspective to the organization.
Director
Mpumelelo Mbangwa
Mpumelelo is an affable gentleman with many years’ experience in sports broadcast television media. He is a well renowned international cricket commentator and presenter who has worked on various broadcasts around the world including ICC Cricket World Cups, ICC Champions Trophies and the IPL from its inception. He has been one of the cricket anchors on SuperSport in South Africa for 20 years.
Formerly an international cricketer, he transitioned well into broadcasting and is well able to use that experience in delivering his work on television as well as radio and even sometimes in print.
Academically he holds bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology and English literature. His professions though, have been; a professional cricketer, cricket coach & versatile broadcaster. He holds various achievements and awards in broadcasting.
Strategy and Marketing Portfolio Director
Adelle Wapnick
BA (Wits), MSc (Oxford, HEC)
Former Advertising exec, Adelle sold her business IPG after 20 years in the business. Before leaving her agency developed the naming and identity of Surgeons for Little Lives, when she joined the Board.
She changed professions and is Executive Coach for SA’s top corporate executives. She also owns Studio Stirling, a manufacturing business that exports luxury hanging chairs.
Chartered Accountant
Anthony Smith
CA(SA)
Anthony is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor in South Africa with more than 30 years of experience in business and financial services.
He is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Independent Energy Pool and a Member of the Board of Governors of Rhodes University.
Anthony was an Executive at Absa Bank and served as a Partner at both Deloitte and KPMG.
Operational Manager
Anna Welthagen
A former Human Resource Manager joined the Department of Paediatric Surgery, WITS University in 2012 and played a key role in founding and establishing the footprint for Surgeons for Little Lives.
Anna currently holds an Operational role at WITS, overseeing and managing all daily activities of the organisation.
Operations Team
Our ladies behind the scenes
From left to right:
Stan Kadewere, Prof Juan Scribante, Mathapelo Mabaso, Ansie Welthagen, Seilatsatsi Ndlovu, Dorothy Khawula, Noluthando Shabi, Nthabeleng Ramorebudi, Deborah Churu, Nkosikhona Masikana and Lerato Chidi.