NEWSWORTHY
ZUTARI APPOINTS NEW CEO FOR AFRICA
Zutari has appointed Tlhabeli Christopher( TC) Ralebitso as Chief Executive Officer for Africa. This appointment marks a further significant step forward in Zutari’ s journey to strengthen its leadership team and sharpen its regional focus across Africa. He will report directly to Group CEO Teddy Daka. TC brings a rare blend of engineering, investment, and executive leadership expertise that spans nearly three decades, with a proven track record in infrastructure, telecommunications, data science, and strategic investments. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and began his career in roles at Eskom and SAB. His early exposure to the operational side of infrastructure was complemented by leadership roles in strategy and venture capital. TC’ s corporate leadership journey includes a decade at Vodacom Group, where he held executive positions, including Group Executive for Mergers & Acquisitions, Investor Relations, and Managing Director of Vodacom Ventures. He led several landmark transactions and strategic initiatives that shaped Vodacom’ s evolution beyond mobile services. In 2017, he transitioned into entrepreneurship and established Ralco Investments, where he led strategic investments across multiple sectors. He established Vulatel, a telecommunications infrastructure company built through the acquisition and integration of Plessey South Africa and Gio Construction. Beyond telecoms, TC has also directed investments in healthcare infrastructure and industrial gases across the SADC region.
HOW A HEALTHCARE ARCHITECTURE TEAM DESIGNS FOR WELL-BEING
Healthcare architecture is uniquely complex and deeply rewarding. Unlike most architectural projects, where form leads function, KMH’ s healthcare team takes an“ inside-out” approach. Their designs begin with clinical flow, patient circulation and operational logic, then expand outward.
Collaboration is central. The team values open dialogue, peer input and shared learning across projects. This approach fuels thoughtful solutions and continuous refinement.
Team diversity is a strength. With experience spanning concept to construction, members bring different expertise, from spatial planning to production. New team members are encouraged to develop niche specialisations, reflecting healthcare’ s vast range: surgical suites, patient wards, logistics zones and more.
Project kick-offs are hands-on. Physical models help visualise early concepts, encouraging real-time problem-solving. Bimonthly design studios foster experimentation; these sessions allow ideas to evolve collaboratively.
Designing hospitals is like combining four buildings in one: a mall( outpatient), hotel( patient rooms), factory( logistics) and lab( surgical suites). This makes the process both technically demanding and creatively rich. Regulations, shifting client needs and budget constraints add to the challenge, but also drive innovation.
Contrary to common belief, healthcare design is far from boring. There is creativity in crafting intuitive layouts, integrating natural light and creating spaces that promote healing.“ People assume hospitals lack imagination, but constraints actually inspire innovation,” one team member notes.
Efficiency is critical. The team draws insights from previous projects and the Public Health Strategic Planning Group to inform new designs. Tools such as Building Information Modelling( BIM) streamline coordination, reduce errors and accelerate timelines. An internal task-tracking system ensures fair workload distribution and supports long-term planning.
What makes healthcare architecture truly meaningful is its impact. These spaces support recovery, improve patient and staff experiences and sometimes even save lives.“ Our buildings might not always be glamorous, but they serve a vital purpose,” says the team.
Looking ahead, KMH is exploring how tools such as AI can assist, not replace, architects. Automating documentation or generating design options could enhance workflows. Sustainability is also a focus; the team is working to balance green solutions with healthcare demands.
Ultimately, KMH’ s healthcare team remains committed to designing with purpose. Through collaboration and a human-centred approach, they create spaces that heal from the inside out. Their work may not chase trends, but its impact on lives is lasting and profound. www. kmh. co. za
10 News Watch