Richard M. Rasesemola
University of Johannesburg South Africa
Abstract Title: Leadership and Governance as Social Determinants of Health: Insights from South African NCD Policies
Biography: Dr. Richard Rasesemola is a Senior Lecturer and Course Coordinator in the Department of Nursing at the University of Johannesburg, with expertise in nursing education, critical care, and health policy. He holds a PhD in Nursing Science and is currently pursuing an MBA focusing on Digital Transformation. Dr. Rasesemola has published extensively on ethical competence, simulation-based learning, and social determinants of health, and serves as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. A recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award at the South African Health Excellence Award Ceremony in November 2025, he actively contributes to research, postgraduate supervision, and academic quality assurance across South African universities.
Research Interest: Leadership and governance are pivotal social determinants of health that shape the effectiveness of health systems and influence population health outcomes. This study critically examines the integration of leadership and governance within South Africa’s policies for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), focusing on obesity, mental health, and cancer. Using qualitative document analysis guided by the Stages Heuristics framework and an Analytical Framework for Social Determinants of Health, three national policy documents were purposively selected and analysed. The findings reveal that leadership is operationalised through strategic direction, role definition, advocacy, and capacity building, while governance is embedded in coordination structures, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and resource stewardship. Despite these inclusions, gaps persist in multisectoral collaboration, accountability mechanisms, and legislative alignment, limiting policy effectiveness. The study indicates the unmet need for stronger leadership to champion intersectoral partnerships and for governance systems that institutionalise transparency, equity, and continuous improvement. By aligning policy implementation with evidence-based practices, South Africa can enhance resilience and responsiveness in addressing NCDs. These insights contribute to global discourse on health system strengthening and highlight leadership and governance as critical levers for achieving Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals. Keywords: Leadership, Governance, Social Determinants of Health, Non-Communicable Diseases, Policy Analysis