DESSA Programme
Subject to change
DESSA Programme
Subject to change
Dr Zarina Ebrahim
Dr Zarina Ebrahim is a senior lecturer and dietitian in the Department of Global Health, Division of Human Nutrition at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She lectures in clinical nutrition and research methodology on the undergraduate dietetics programme and supervises undergraduate and Master’s students research projects. Her primary research interest is nutrition in chronic kidney disease, complemented by projects on cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and dietary interventions, undertaken in collaboration with both local and international partners. She is dedicated to promoting dietary awareness and education for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Nazeema Esau
Nazeema Esau is a Chief Dietitian at Tygerberg Hospital, with a Master’s degree in Nephrology and more than 20 years of experience in the renal unit. She has a strong clinical focus on nephrology, with additional expertise in managing respiratory high-care patients and contributing as a member of the hospital’s TPN team. Her passion lies in patient care, well-being, and promoting adherence, underpinned by a commitment to evidence-based practice. She supervises 4th-year dietetics students during their clinical internships and nephrology placements, and also supervises undergraduate and Master’s research in nephrology. She enjoys staying active, with jogging being her favourite way to unwind.
Mr Salih Hendricks
Salih Hendricks is a South African Diabetes Amputee Advocate and shares his lived experience with many around the world on platforms and institutions like DEDOC.org, WHO, IDF, Diabetes South Africa, SA Diabetes Advocacy, the American Limb Preservation Society, Bromley Diabetes UK Peer Support Group, American Diabetes Association, EASD, Global PAD Association USA and Stanford University School of Medicine. He is a board member of Diabetes South Africa and South African Diabetes Advocacy. Member of IDF Blue Circle and dedocvoices. He does peer support and motivational talks on awareness and prevention of diabetes complications and amputations. He is always promoting diabetes education, awareness, and prevention.
Ms Shevonne Hoffman
Shevonne Hoffman is a Sport Scientist with a Master’s degree in Sport Science, passionate about bridging high-performance sport with holistic health and everyday wellbeing. Her work extends beyond elite athletes to individuals seeking balance, sustainability, and improved quality of life in their daily routines. With experience across high-performance teams in hockey, netball, athletics, basketball, and rugby, Shevonne brings a strong foundation in performance testing, conditioning, injury prevention, and sports massage. She combines data-driven strategies with a people-centred approach, recognising that optimal performance starts with overall health. She is particularly passionate about helping individuals integrate movement, recovery, and lifestyle habits into their day-to-day lives, making health both practical and achievable. By blending science with a holistic perspective, Shevonne empowers people to perform better, feel better, and live well.
Dr Analia Manthey
Dr Analia Manthey is a qualified ophthalmologist dedicated to advancing eye care. She began her journey in 2013, earning her medical degree from Stellenbosch University. She completed her fellowship degree in 2023 and her Master of Medicine degree in 2024 from Stellenbosch University, her alma mater. Dr Manthey is currently in private practice at Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital and expanded with her second practice at Netcare Kuilsriver hosptial. She is skilled in cataract surgery, anterior segment disease management, glaucoma care and surgery, medical retina management (including diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration), paediatric ophthalmology, squint surgery, pterygium surgery, minor oculoplastic procedures and ocular trauma surgery. She also assists with Retinopathy of prematurity screening at Netcare N1 City hospital as well as Christiaan Barnard Memorial hospital. Her dream is to one day super specialise in Vitreoretinal surgery. Outside of her professional life, Dr Analia Manthey is a devoted wife and mother of two beautiful daughters.
Dr Wayne May
Dr Wayne May is a UCT graduate currently working as a full-time Endocrinologist in private practice at the Kingsbury Hospital in Cape Town He works with his wife, a diabetologist, in the Diabetes Life Clinic, which is a multidisciplinary clinic treating patients living with diabetes He has a special interest in obesity management and in 2005 helped form the Cape Town Bariatric Clinic(previously known as the Chrysalis Clinic), which is anaccredited multidisciplinary clinic managing people living with obesity through the process of bariatric surgery, as well as looking at non-surgical options He is the author of the section on obesity management in the South African Diabetes Guidelines (SEMDSA) 2012 and 2017. He holds an International ScopeObesity Certifi cate and is also a director of the South African Metabolic Medicine and Surgical Society (SAMMSS). He is the current co-chair of the 1 SAObesity Guidelines.
Dr Julien Trokis
Dr Trokis is a diabetologist in private practice in Cape Town. He also runs a large clinical trial centre and has been an investigator in over 80 clinical trials, approximately half of which were as principal investigator. Due to his special interest in diabetic kidney disease and heart failure, he has been National Principal investigator for South Africa in large international clinical trials in diabetic kidney disease and is currently National Lead Investigator for a large multinational cardiovascular trial. Dr Trokis has also taught in the department of medicine (diabetes clinic), at Victoria Hospital/ University of Cape Town. In 2014 he was selected to attend the American Diabetes Association Scholars Program. As the top student from South Africa for his post-graduate studies in Diabetology at Cardiff University, he was awarded the CDE Ascending Star award in 2012. Dr Trokis has attended multiple congresses, such as ADA, EASD and the International Physicians congress, addressing diabetes management, endocrinology, and chronic kidney disease. He also serves as the medical advisor on Astra-Zeneca’s website, Yes2Life, and medical advisory boards of Novo Nordisk and Lilly. Dr Trokis has given numerous talks and presentations locally and internationally to general practitioners and specialist audiences, he was been featured in numerous radio and television interviews. Dr Trokis regularly attends round table meetings with Cardiologists, Endocrinologists and Physicians on topics such as Diabetes, Heart Failure and CKD he has also been a member of an independent data monitoring committee in an international clinical trial since 2022