Durban and Coastal Mental Health appoints new executive director

Source: Supplied.

Sibisi joins the organisation at a critical time as it seeks to drive its turn-around strategy following a tumultuous period of administrative and financial challenges.

Sibisi will spearhead and see to fruition the roll out of the organisation’s 12-month turn-around strategy, helping to steer the organisation back on the path of delivering on its mandate of providing care and support to patients with mental disabilities as well as uplifting communities.

Speaking about his appointment Sibisi said: “My vision for DCMH is to see the organisation reclaim its position as a credible and preferred mental health care and support centre, which provides a conducive environment for employees and stakeholders to serve service users and communities to the best of their abilities.

Clean corporate governance

"I am confident that together with the board of directors we will successfully continue on the path of clean corporate governance - ridding the organisation of bad practices - as well as tighten internal controls on which we will build an ethics-driven organisation.”

“Mental health is a critical issue in society, more so in the pandemic era in which we find ourselves. People need organisations such as DCMH to not only raise awareness of the importance of mental health and the care for people with mental disabilities, but to also effectively advocate for funding and support of the work done in the mental-health field for the upliftment of communities and the benefit of our country’s economy. Essentially, time is of the essence, and we must put behind us the days of politics and infighting which don’t serve the purpose of our existence as an organisation,” Sibisi added.

An impressive portfolio of experience

Prior to joining DCMH, Sibisi was the executive director at Ikusasa LeAfrika Foundation, responsible for steering the NPO’s programmes and operational systems. His work at Ikusasa LeAfrika Foundation involved identifying and working with like-minded organisations such as DCMH, in strategic partnerships aimed at driving educational and youth programmes in KwaZulu Natal.

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He has experience in labour law gained from working with the National Union of Metal Workers as the co-ordinator for the Pieternaritzburg area. Sibisi has also worked for BHP Billiton. He holds a BCom degree in Marketing and Management from UKZN and is a board member of Greys Regional Hospital.

Elated to have Sibisi join the organisation at this important juncture, chairperson of the board of directors, Sthandiwe Mkhize said: “We are confident of Sibisi’s leadership abilities and believe that his knowledge, experience and set of skills will help steer the organisation on a path of renewal and functionality which is vital for us to successfully deliver our mandate of caring for people with mental disabilities and uplifting communities.

No-holds-barred transparency and accountability

“Over the past seven months the DCMH board and staff have been engaged in an intensive process of renewal and transformation. This came with its own challenges but I’m happy that through co-operation and support from staff, government departments and various stakeholders; we have managed to appoint credible auditors, have appointed suitably qualified finance personnel at reasonable rates and implemented strict financial controls as well as strengthened corporate governance. The new director has a good foundation to work on.”

Extensive internal consultations with staff as well as system audits are already underway in a bid to ensure that the organisation's turn-around efforts are informed and set up for success.

This will include the launch of a new website and other stakeholder engagement platforms.