Our vision
An equitable South Africa for everyone living with diabetes
A South Africa where all people living with diabetes are empowered, supported, and have access to quality care and equitable health outcomes.
About Diabetes Alliance
The Alliance behind collective action
Diabetes Alliance South Africa is a registered non-profit organisation and national civil society coalition working to strengthen the country’s response to diabetes.
Who we are
National advocacy grounded in community experience
The Alliance brings together people living with diabetes, community organisations, healthcare professionals, civil society, researchers, government and partners. We connect national advocacy with public education, practical action, partnership and accountability.
We act as both a trusted convenor and a platform for action—making lived experience visible, strengthening collective voice and helping institutions move from commitment to measurable progress.
Registered NPO242-237
Our mission
Unite people and institutions around change
To unite stakeholders within South Africa and globally to reduce the burden of diabetes through advocacy, education, community engagement and collaborative partnerships.
How we work
Four principles guide our contribution
Our work is people-centred, collaborative, evidence-informed and accountable.
People at the centre
People living with diabetes bring essential knowledge and must help shape the decisions that affect their lives and care.
Equity and dignity
Every person deserves respectful support and equitable access to quality diabetes care, without blame or stigma.
Collective action
A stronger response depends on communities, civil society, healthcare, government, researchers and partners acting together.
Learning and accountability
Community experience and trusted evidence should expose gaps, guide action and help South Africa measure real progress.
Our journey
From convening to a national platform for action
The Diabetes Summit has helped the Alliance build a shared agenda, deepen participation and move towards public accountability.
The first Diabetes Summit creates a shared national space for dialogue and action.
The Summit moves from discussion towards practical priorities, accountability and policy engagement.
A whole-of-society Summit builds the mandate for a stronger national response to diabetes.
The Johannesburg Declaration turns the shared agenda into a platform for commitment and measurable action.
Leadership
Our Board
The Board provides strategic direction, stewardship and accountability for the Alliance’s work.
Chairperson
Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie
Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie is a medical doctor, public health researcher and civil society leader working to improve diabetes care in South Africa. He holds a PhD in Public Health from the University of Pretoria and is co-founder of its Diabetes Research Centre. His work connects research with policy and community action, with a focus on strengthening primary healthcare and ensuring that people living with diabetes help shape the decisions that affect their care.
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Treasurer
Amanda Mashego
Amanda Mashego is a diabetes advocate, public speaker and digital creator who draws on her experience of living with type 1 diabetes to support others. Through storytelling, practical guidance and peer support, she helps people build confidence in managing diabetes and creates space for honest conversations. Her advocacy focuses on reducing stigma, improving access to care and ensuring that the voices of people living with diabetes are represented.
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Board Member
Dr Melanie Pienaar
Dr Melanie Pienaar is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing at the University of the Free State. She holds a PhD in Nursing and brings more than a decade of clinical experience in critical care nursing to her teaching and research. Her work focuses on health communication and chronic disease management, particularly diabetes. She also supervises postgraduate students and contributes to research aimed at improving care for people living with chronic conditions.
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Board Member
Alisha Lalbeharie
Alisha Lalbeharie is a podiatrist, entrepreneur and Founder and Director of Foot Motion Podiatry and FMP Wellness. A former KwaZulu-Natal Branch Chair of the Podiatry Association of South Africa, she is committed to prevention and early intervention in diabetes care. Her work combines foot health education, wellness initiatives and emerging health technologies to improve access to care and help people take an active role in protecting their health.
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Board Member
Dr Themba Hadebe
Dr Themba Hadebe is a clinical and managed care executive at Bonitas Medical Fund, with nearly two decades of leadership experience across public and private healthcare. His work spans clinical governance, population health, workplace wellness and healthcare financing. He focuses on prevention and evidence-based care that improves health outcomes while making effective use of resources. His interests include digital health and data-driven approaches to more accessible, person-centred healthcare.
View LinkedIn profileExecutive staff
The team supporting our public voice
Communications and Social Media Manager
Karabo Mafure
Karabo Mafure is a public relations and communications professional with a Diploma in Public Relations and Communication from the University of Johannesburg. Her experience includes public awareness campaigns, media relations, social media management and content development through work with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group and the Diabetes Alliance. As Communications and Social Media Manager, she uses storytelling and community engagement to make diabetes information accessible and strengthen the Alliance’s public voice.
View LinkedIn profileDiabetes Alliance Ambassador
Holly Rey
Lived Experience and Media Representation Ambassador
Holly Rey is an award-winning South African musician, television personality, producer and entrepreneur who has lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood. As Diabetes Alliance Ambassador, she uses storytelling, culture and her public platform to challenge stigma, deepen public understanding and bring the realities of living with diabetes into mainstream conversation.
Her wider advocacy includes engaging young people through school visits, supporting diabetes camps and mobilising public and partner support for children living with type 1 diabetes.
AmbassadorTurning lived experience into public action
From visibility to action
Wear It Forward
Holly invited friends and fellow public figures to donate quality clothing they no longer wore. The pre-loved items were sold online, and the proceeds were donated to the Diabetes Alliance to help organise camps for children living with type 1 diabetes.
Pre-loved clothingPublic generosityChildren’s diabetes camps
Governance
Clear stewardship for a growing national coalition
The Board’s work is supported through two focused subcommittees. This structure separates oversight from day-to-day delivery while keeping strategy, resources and programmes accountable.
Governance and Finance
Supports organisational governance, financial oversight, risk management and responsible stewardship.
Programmes and Partnerships
Supports programme direction, strategic collaboration and alignment with the Alliance’s public purpose.
Our wider ecosystem
Networks and coalitions
The Alliance participates in wider civil society networks that connect diabetes with food systems, financing, women’s health and related chronic conditions. Each network retains its own identity and governance.
Food Justice Coalition
Connects diabetes advocacy with healthier, more equitable food environments and the right to health.
Visit networkHealth Tax Alliance
Advances public-interest action on health taxes, prevention and sustainable public-health financing.
Visit networkGlobal Metabolic Health Alliance
Links South African civil society leadership with global collaboration on metabolic health.
Visit networkPartnership for Women’s Wellness
Strengthens collaboration around women’s health, wellbeing and equitable access across the life course.
Visit networkHeart and Kidney Care Alliance
Connects diabetes action with the closely related priorities of cardiovascular and kidney health.
Visit networkFrom identity to action