Len Marais undertook his undergraduate medical training at the University of the Free State where he obtained his MBCHB with distinction. Following his internship in the rural town of Eshowe, he specialised in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Pretoria obtaining his Masters degree and Fellowship of the College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of South Africa. Subsequently he focussed his work in the field of orthopaedic oncology and infections.

In 2009 he joined the Department of Orthopaedics at Grey’ Hospital in Pietermaritzburg where he established the orthopaedic bone Tumour, Sepsis and Reconstruction unit. He completed his PhD on risk stratification and treatment strategy selection in chronic osteomyelitis in 2015 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2017 he commenced serving as the Academic Head of Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the UKZN School of Clinical Medicine. In 2024 he was appointed as the Dean and Head of School of Nelson R Mandela School of Clinical Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, contributed to more than 25 large collaborative research projects and 10 international guidelines and consensus statements in the field of orthopaedic oncology and musculoskeletal infections. He has previously served as the Editor-in-Chief of the South African Orthopaedic Journal (SAOJ), is a member of the British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery and an editorial board member of The Bone & Joint Journal and SAOJ. He represents South Africa as country delegate at the European Bone & Joint Infection society and is a member of the AO Foundation’s Fracture-Related Infection Consensus Group. He is currently serving as the president of the South African Orthopaedic Association (SAOA) and a member of the Council of Orthopaedic Surgeons of South Africa.

Professor Angela Mathee held the position of Director: SAMRC Environment & Health Research Unit (EHRU) between 2007 and 2021, and currently serves as Chief Specialist Scientist in EHRU as well as, since March 2022, Executive Director: Transformation. She is a Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg and a Research Associate at Nelson Mandela University. Prior to the SAMRC, she gained work experience in local government (the City of Johannesburg), the public health service and the private sector.

Mathee is a B2-rated scientist, and a founding member of the Public Health Association of South Africa. She is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and of the South African National Health Research Committee. She has served on World Health Organization guideline development groups for housing and health, indoor air pollution and lead exposure. Her research findings on the prevalence of lead exposure in South Africa have contributed to the phasing out of lead in petrol and paint in the country, a range of public education and other interventions, as well as the development of the National Department of Health’s Lead Exposure Reduction Strategy. In 2014 the Alfred Nzo prize for environmental health excellence was bestowed on her by the Minister of Health, and she is also a past recipient of the Shoprite-Checkers Women of the Year competition (Health Category).

Following undergraduate degrees in microbiology and biochemistry, Mathee obtained a Master of Science degree in Environmental Epidemiology and Policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a PhD in Public Health from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is currently completing a Master of Arts degree in Workplace Coaching and Mentoring at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Rev. Thulani Ndlazi, born in Durban and baptized at Groutville UCCSA, holds a Bachelor of Theology (Honors) from the University of Durban Westville and a Master of Arts in Religion from Lancaster Theological Seminary. He has served in various significant roles, including Director of FoV for the KZN Region, Moderator of the KZN Regional Council, and the immediate-past SA Synod Secretary of the UCCSA, where he oversaw general administration and ministerial responsibilities. Rev. Ndlazi has published several academic papers, including a notable article on "Theology & Land" in the Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity. Additionally, he has been the Deputy-Chairperson of both the Church Unity Commission and the Chaplaincy Advisory Board. He currently serves as the senior pastor at Berea Congregational Church and the Chairperson of the Agano Foundation NPC.

Khanyie Khuzwayo holds a Master's degree in Management and a Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting. She is currently the Senior Administrative Officer at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, overseeing financial and HR operations.

Khanyie is responsible for budget management, financial reporting, and contributing to the School’s strategic planning, ensuring efficient resource utilisation to support high-quality education and research. Her financial expertise has been instrumental in optimising budgetary processes and enhancing the School’s financial health.

Her research interests include third-stream income generation, commercialisation, the Triple Helix model of innovation, and strategic management. Khanyie is dedicated to exploring new revenue streams and developing strategies that integrate academia, industry, and government to drive innovation and economic growth.