The members of the Council are appointed in terms of Section 5(4) of the Dental Technicians Act, 1979 (Act No. 19 of 1979) as amended. The various categories that the members of council are elected into are specified in terms of Section 5(1) of the said Act as members of the South African Dental Technicians Council for a period of five years with effect from 03 September 2013 (2013-2018)
Council consists of the Director of Oral Health of the Department of Health, five persons appointed by the Minister, and two dental technician contractors, two dental technicians or dental technologists and one dentist nominated and elected in the prescribed manner.
Council members meet four times annually and are responsible for preparing financial statements, executive management and exercising control over the organisation’s activities.
Prof. Peter C. Owen (President)
Prof Owen was re- elected unopposed as the President of the Council to lead the new Council. He is appointed in the category of a dentist as per section 5(1)(e) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979.
Prof Owen is an Emeritus Professor and former head of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation in the School of Oral Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. Prof Owen has been called back by the University of Witwatersrand to act as head of the Dental School. He is a specialist Prosthodontist and is a Fellow of the College of Dentistry of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. A global leader in Prosthodontics, he is a past President of the International College of Prosthodontists, the world body for the specialty, and has also served on many different national committees. He has made over 140 presentations locally and internationally and has over 150 publications, including journal papers, books, chapters in books, manuals and other publications. He has been an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Prosthodontics, is a reviewer for a variety of other international journals and is a sub-editor for the South Africa Dental Journal
Mr. Irfaan Noorshib (Vice-president)
Mr. Irfaan Noorshib was re-elected unopposed as the Vice – President of
the Council.
He is the owner of Minnaars Dental Laboratory in Port
Elizabeth. He serves on the Council as a dental technician contractor nominated and elected by dental technician contractors as per section 5(1) (c) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979.
He qualified with a National Higher Diploma from the then Peninsula
Technikon which is now known as the Cape Peninsula University of
Technology (CPUT). He has acquired over 30 years of experience in the
field of Dental Technology
Mr. Lufuno Nematswerani (Treasurer)
Mr. Lufuno Nematswerani was re-elected unopposed as the Treasurer of the Council and he is appointed to serve on the Council as per section 5(1)(b)(iii) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979, as amended. Mr Nematswerani holds a master’s degree in business administration, Honours Degree in Human Resources Development, Post Graduate Diploma in Management and several certificates in the field of Human Resources and employee relations. Mr. Nematswerani has 24 years’ experience in the Corporate Service field especially human resource management. He is currently the Executive Manager Resources and his previous roles include being Head of Human Capital Management at CIPC, Executive manager: Corporate Services, General Manager Human Resources, Senior Manager Human Resources, Deputy Director Labour Relations, Human Resource Manager and Senior Labour Relations Officer. Mr. Nematswerani also serves on the following Boards:
• Development Bank of Southern Africa as a member of the Human Resources and Nomination Committee, Social and Ethics Committee, Infrastructure, Development and Knowledge management Committee.
• National Library of South Africa as the Chairperson of Human Resources Committee and member of the Finance Committee
• Mining Qualification Authority Sector Education and Training as the Chairperson of the Human Resources Committee • Gauteng Film Commission as the Chairperson of the Human Resources Committee
• South African Council for Architectural Profession as Chairperson of Human Resources Committee and Member of the Risk and Audit Committee
Ms. Alminah Banda
Ms Banda is appointed on the Council as a dental technician
contractor nominated and elected by dental technician contractors
as per section 5(1) (c) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979.
She qualified with a B Tech Degree (Baccalaurus Technologiae in
Dental Technology) from the then Peninsula Technikon, now known
as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). She is a coowner of AMU Dental Laboratory in East London. She is also a member of the Society for Clinical Dental Technology.
Mr. Nkululo Ntshikilana
Mr. Ntshikilana is appointed as a dental technician/dental technologist who practices the profession as an employee as per section 5(1)(d) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979. Mr. Ntshikilana obtained his degree of Baccalaureus Technologiae qualification from the Durban University of Technology. He is currently enrolled for a postgraduate master’s degree in business studies. He is an experienced dental technologist, amassing over fifteen years’ experience in the field both in the private and public sector. Mr. Ntshikilana has a keen interest in emerging technologies and how these can be used to transform the profession into a formidable force in the 4 th Industrial Revolution. He has established positive networks through which he empowers young people in the profession. He is currently working for the University of Pretoria as the Head of the dental laboratory.
Ms. Matshepe L. Matabane
Ms. Matabane is appointed as a Dental Technician who practices the profession as an employee as per section 5 (1)(d) of the Dental Technicians Act.
Ms Matabane obtained her National Diploma in Dental Technology at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. She is an experienced professional having served in both the private and public sector for 15 years. She is currently working for the University of Pretoria.
Prof. Pusetso D. Moipolai
Professor Pusetso D. Moipolai was re – elected unopposed as the Chairperson of the Education Committee. She is appointed to serve on the Council as a dentist attached to a university having a dental faculty as per section 5(1)(b)(i) of the dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979. Currently with the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Oral Health Sciences and is the Head of Clinical Department (Prosthodontics). She is a former President of the South African Dental Association and National Council and has actively been involved in various structures of the SA Dental Association for several years. Most of her professional practice has been in academic practice as a Specialist Prosthodontist. Areas of interest and responsibility include, but not limited to, curriculum innovation; reinforcing multi-disciplinary professional approach for comprehensive clinical care; involvement in professionalisation of clinical teaching; driving the ethos of contextualised teaching and learning and assessment informed by mindfulness to national and global imperatives in dental education and management. Presently, she is part of the University SA HELM HoS HoD Foundation and Women in Leadership Cohort.
Mr. Naeem C. Seedat
Mr. Seedat was re-elected unopposed to serve as the Deputy Chairperson of the Education Committee. He is appointed to serve on the Council as a dental technician/technologist attached to a training institution where dental technicians/technologists are trained as per section 5 (1) (b) (ii) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979.
Mr Seedat is a lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and he holds a Masters Degree in Dental Technology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education.
Ms. Angel X. Ntentesa
Ms Angel Ntentesa is the Departmental representative who is appointed under section 5 (1) (a) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979. She is a qualified Dental Technician who is currently working for the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. Angel Ntentesa, a Dental Technician at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, has extensive experience working in a rural hospital in the Eastern Cape from 2004 to 2025. She graduated from DUT in 1999 and pursued her career in public healthcare, demonstrating a passion for improving dental services in the Eastern Cape. In 2004, she completed an MDP (Management Development Programme) at Rhodes University, sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson Programme. In 2020, she obtained a Degree in Psychology from Unisa and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Degree in Public Health at the University of Pretoria. Angel Ntentesa a valued member of the POHF National Council. She was selected as Cohort 6 Tekano Health Equity in South Africa Fellow for 2025 Fellowship program.
Adv. Palesa N. Shai
Adv. Shai is appointed to serve on the Council in terms of section(1)(b)(iii) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979.
Adv. Shai is a practicing Advocate of the High Court, who holds a BA LLB from the University of Johannesburg. She is an employment law expert, a board member, mediator, arbitrator and facilitator and a member oof the National Forum of Advocates.
Mr. Zenzele Myeza
Mr Myeza is appointed to serve on the Council as per section 5(1)(b)(iii) of the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979. He is a Corporate Governance Activist and has vast experience in heading organisations and/or departments at executive level, with overall accountability, serving on Boards of Directors, as well as other Board Governance Committees. He holds a designation of “Chartered Director: SA” with the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA). He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a BCom (Acc) degree and various certificates. Amongst the various roles in Board Audit Committees, he served as Chairperson of the Education Labour Relations Council as well as the Rand Water Medical Scheme. He also served as Chairperson of the Gauteng Education Department Risk Management Committee and is currently serving as Chairperson of the Risk Management Committees of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency. He also serves as the Chairperson of the Mine Health and Safety Council’s Social and Ethics Committee