Tendai Gotora

With a rich and diverse career spanning 10 years in the field of public health, Tendai stands as an exemplary professional. His journey encompasses implementation science research, program management, and insightful data analysis. What sets Tendai apart is his early corporate experience in risk management, insurance, and actuarial science, which he seamlessly integrates with his unwavering passion for public health data to foster positive change within African communities. 
 
At the forefront of his accomplishments is Tendai’s pivotal role in scaling innovations in the realm of public health. As the guiding force behind Spark Health Africa’s Transformative Programs, he not only shapes the organization’s strategic vision but also spearheads the effort to position Spark Health Africa as a leader in nurturing resilient health teams in developing countries. Tendai’s profound dedication is distinctly directed towards scaling transformative health initiatives, ensuring that they reach those who need them most. In this regard, Tendai actively supports collaboration for collective impact. This facet of his work involves fostering partnerships between governments, funders, and implementing partners in Sub-Saharan Africa to enhance health outcomes through joint, deliberate actions that improve service delivery. Tendai’s dedication to this collaborative endeavour reflects his commitment to achieving a collective impact on a broader scale. 
 
In his prior role as a Senior Systems Improvement Advisor, Tendai was entrusted with overseeing Spark Health Africa’s in-country mentors, ensuring the delivery of technical excellence, adherence to budgets, and on-time delivery of leadership and team-based priorities set by partner governments. Beyond this, his multifaceted role extended to leading Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning initiatives. This critical function allowed him to meticulously measure program performance and meticulously document the cultural shifts vital for Health Systems Strengthening, an integral component of scaling innovations in public health. 
 
Tendai’s academic journey commenced with an undergraduate Degree in Risk Management & Insurance from the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe in 2006. He later transitioned into the field of demography, culminating in the attainment of an MPhil. in Demography at the Centre for Actuarial Research (CARe) at the University of Cape Town in 2012. His research in demography centred on classical methods for estimating maternal mortality in high-HIV/AIDS settings, critical for scaling innovative approaches in public health. 
 
In 2013, this passionate pursuit led Tendai to the Clinton Health Access Initiative in South Africa, where he served as an Access-to-medicines Analyst, seconded to the South Africa National Department of Health. The same year witnessed his transition to the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Zimbabwe, where he spearheaded a three-year WHO-funded implementation science research program, focusing on piloting the lifelong protocol (Option B+) for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Zimbabwe, thereby making a significant impact on scaling innovative approaches in public health. 
 
When he’s not immersed in his professional pursuits, Tendai enjoys the relaxation of amateur photography, recreational golf, and long-distance running. Tendai also serves as a Committee Member at his local running club, recreational sports club, homeowners’ association, and the Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy.