TEAM
Dr Cobus Raath
Managing Director
Cobus qualified as a veterinarian from Onderstepoort in 1985 and spent the first 11 years of his career as the head veterinarian in the Kruger National Park. In 1996 he registered his own private practice and soon thereafter, he founded Wildlife Pharmaceuticals. Driven by his passion and commitment to conservation and wildlife management, he manages his companies, invests in ongoing research and development and still finds the time to present zoo and exotic wildlife anaesthesia courses across the globe.
Suretha Loots
Warehouse & Procurement Officer
After matriculating, Suretha joined the South African police force where she worked until joining the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team as the Sales Officer in 2006. She is one of the longest standing employees and is currently responsible for managing the warehouse and procurement processes.
Maria Sengwayo
Warehouse Operator
After matriculating in 2009, Maria joined Wildlife Pharmaceuticals as a cleaner. By 2015 she was promoted to Distribution Operator and is now the Warehouse Operator, assisting in the warehouse with stock control, picking and getting parcels ready for distribution.
Leo Kirsten
API Production Chemist
Leo obtained his Masters degree in Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg in 2005 and has 14 years of laboratory experience, six of which have been in highly potent API manufacturing. He joined the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team in 2014 where he produces our highly potent API substances in accordance with cGMP standards.
Cauline Olwage
Client Liaison Officer
Cauline matriculated in 2002 and worked as a receptionist in a medical practice before joining the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team in 2015. When you call, she is the ever-friendly voice on the other side of the phone, primarily responsible for local sales and customer service.
Dr Liesel Laubscher (Williams)
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Liesel has a degree in Animal Science with Conservation Ecology and a Masters in Animal Science from the University of Stellenbosch. She joined Wildlife Pharmaceuticals in 2015 after completing her PhD and became responsible for the technical development, improvement, and marketing of our products. In 2023 she also took on the role of Regulatory Affairs Officer, focusing on product lifecycle management and other aspects of regulatory affairs.
Renier Heyman
Site Manager
Renier graduated in 2009 from Tshwane University of Technology with a National Diploma in Information Technology: Business Applications and Design. He joined the sterile filling facility in 2015 and has hands-on experience and knowledge of sterile pharmaceutical production and maintenance processes. Renier is responsible for ensuring the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals site is always operational and well-maintained.
Luther Masuku
Site Assistant
Luther went to school at Masitakhe High School in Matsulu and worked as a security guard before joining the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team in 2015. He is responsible for site maintenance and cleaning functions.
Nonita Barnard
QA Manager
Nita obtained her National Diploma in Nature Conservation in 2003 from Tshwane University of Technology. After starting her career working directly with wildlife, she later went on to work in the laboratory and QC environment before joining the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team in 2015 – now working on the opposite end of the animal dart to where she’d started. Today, Nita manages our Quality Assurance Department, ensuring the products leaving the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals site are manufactured with integrity and consistently meets quality, safety and efficacy standards.
Justine Millard
Finance Officer
Justine joined Wildlife Pharmaceuticals in 2016, bringing 25 years of experience to team. Always up for a challenge, she subsequently completed a course in Applied Financial Management through Wits Business School and is responsible for keeping company books and accounts in check.
Albert Roberson
Process Engineer
Albert joined Wildlife Pharmaceuticals in 2016 where he manages production of API starting material. He has a Masters of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pretoria and previously worked in waste management and as a part-time lecturer with over 3 years’ hands on experience in chemical manufacturing.
Solomon Sibanyoni
QC Officer
Solly has a background in administration and supervision of GMP cleaning and general stock taking activities. He joined the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team in 2016 and forms an integral part of the Quality Unit, ensuring compliance of the facility and products with cGMP requirements.
Dr Chris Joubert
Research and Development Chemist
Chris has a PhD in Chemistry which he obtained from the University of the Free State in 2017. In addition to his background in academia, he also has 12 years of laboratory experience. He joined Wildlife Pharmaceuticals in 2018 where he initially developed routes of synthesis and implemented chemical production. He currently heads up the molecular research unit.
Monique Lines
Responsible Pharmacist and Regulatory Affairs Manager
Monique joined the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team in 2017 and ensures that our pharmacy activities and products comply with current regulations and best practices. She attended Rhodes University where she qualified as a pharmacist in 2007 and then went on to complete her Masters in Pharmacoeconomics in 2015.
Lydia Hlongwane
FPP Production Operator
Lydia matriculated in 2007 and worked in the banking sector performing administrative duties and assisting with customer service. She started working in the sterile filling facility in 2017 and assists with compounding, GMP cleaning and QC inspection.
Dr Rikus Peens
QA Officer (Health & Safety)
Rikus started his career as a part-time mechanic and financial administrator before attending university and working as a laboratory assistant part time. Now with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of the Free State, he has been overseeing all the quality related aspects of our FPP manufacturing processes since 2018.
Christine Dewah
QC Officer
Christine has an MSc in Engineering Science with Chemical Engineering which she obtained from Northwest University in 2021 before joining Wildlife Pharmaceuticals in 2022. She is a skilled laboratory analyst as well as being proficient in chemical analysis using various analytical instruments and wet chemistry methods. She currently develops and performs tests on our products in their various stages of production, verifying that these products can proceed to the next stage of the manufacturing process in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Leoni Swartz
QA Officer
Leoni joined the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team in 2022 with a MSc degree in Chemical Science that she obtained in 2016 from the University of the Western Cape. She came with over 5 years’ experience in regulatory affairs and quality management systems in the pharmaceutical industry. At Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, Leoni ensures that our APIs are manufactured according to cGMP and regulatory requirements.
Mthokozisi Nkambule
FPP Production Assistant
Mthokozisi has been a qualified Post Basic Pharmacy Assistant since 2019 with experience in retail, warehousing, distribution, and production. He joined the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team at the beginning of 2023 and is responsible for ensuring that production runs according to the required cGMP standards.
Melusi Sibiya
FPP Production Operator
Melusi obtained his N4 certificate in Marketing Management in 2014 before completing his N6 Management Assistant qualification in 2016. He first worked in an internet café before moving into the pharmaceutical industry, where he has gained over 5 years of experience as an operator and packer. He joined Wildlife Pharmaceuticals at the beginning of 2023, and forms an integral part of the FPP sterile production team.
Anele Mpalala
API Production Assistant
Anele graduated at the end of 2022 from Nelson Mandela University with an MSc in Chemistry. He has experience working for a speciality chemicals supplier as a technical representative in the pulp and paper industry and joined Wildlife Pharmaceuticals in early 2023 as an API Production Assistant. He is responsible for the production and synthesis of API starting materials as well as being involved in API research and development projects.
Cobus du Plessis
Finance and Operations Manager
Cobus obtained his degree in Actuarial Science from North West University in 2007 but his keen interest in medicine steered him to co-founding Dynaceuticals in 2011. Fagron International acquired Dynaceuticals in 2014 after which Cobus became Director and General Manager of Fagron South Africa. He now joins the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals team as the Finance and Operations Manager. His primary role is to develop and execute strategies that promote sustainable growth and to oversee and manage the various departments and functions that make up Wildlife Pharmaceuticals’ business operations.
Coaster Musandiwa
FPP Production Pharmacist
Coaster obtained his BSc degree in 2012 and his BPharm degree in 2017, starting his career in retail before moving into the sterile production environment. Coaster joined the team in 2023 as our FPP Production Pharmacist where he is responsible for manufacturing our products in accordance with cGMP requirements and ensuring the sterile facility complies with all relevant regulatory guidelines.