About the Founder
Dr. Mzayifani Clive Sibanda
PhD, MBA · EMS Leader · Author
A pioneering South African Emergency Medical Services (EMS) leader, published author, and dedicated Mental Health Advocate with over 33 years of frontline, academic, and executive experience.
- Years of frontline, academic & executive service
- 33+
- Years of frontline, academic & executive service
- First Black paramedic in South Africa to earn a PhD
- 2014
- First Black paramedic in South Africa to earn a PhD
- Terms on the HPCSA Board
- 2
- Terms on the HPCSA Board
- Episodes in the upcoming docuseries
- 13
- Episodes in the upcoming docuseries
His Story
From Soweto to the front lines
Raised in Soweto, Dr. Mzayifani Clive Sibanda began his career in the military before rising through the ranks of provincial emergency services.
In 2014 he made history as the first Black paramedic in South Africa to earn a PhD. Over his career he has served as a military lecturer, EMS Operations Manager, Provincial EMS Director, and two-term Board Member of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), playing a key role in shaping national EMS regulations and disaster medicine frameworks.
Why eGlow was started
Breaking the silence around first responder trauma
eGlow (Pty) Ltd was born from a deeply personal place. Dr. Sibanda once found himself in a situation where he felt helpless, and that experience left him with an urge to help the helpless, so that no one else has to face their darkest moments alone.
Through his MBA and PhD research into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and frontline work conditions, Dr. Sibanda saw first-hand how emergency workers are expected to carry severe trauma in silence.
Today, through eGlow (Pty) Ltd, he works to break that silence: turning research and real-life experience into books, talks, and a national docuseries, so that the people who save lives are finally cared for too.
Credentials
Qualifications & professional standing
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Research into PTSD and frontline EMS work conditions
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Leadership and management of emergency services
Mental Health Self-Help Course
Completed through the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD)
Two-term HPCSA Board Member
Health Professions Council of South Africa
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Emergency Care
Advanced emergency medical care
PGDip: SAMLA Foundation Course in Medico-Legal Practice
South African Medico-Legal Association
Diploma in Business Continuity
Organisational resilience and continuity planning
Disaster Medicine
Medical response to mass casualty and disaster events
Being a Director Training
Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA)
Dr. Sibanda also holds several other qualifications in Clinical Practice, Management, Ethics and Law, Finance, Training, and Disaster Management, cumulatively amounting to more than 60 certificates that cement his experience and expertise.
Career Timeline
Over three decades of service
Early career
Military service
Began his career in the military, later serving as a military lecturer.
2003
Operational Paramedic
Joined Tshwane Metro EMS as an Operational Paramedic after leaving the military.
Rising through the ranks
EMS Operations Manager
Led frontline operations within provincial emergency services.
2014
History-making PhD
First Black paramedic in South Africa to earn a PhD.
Executive leadership
Provincial EMS Director
Directed emergency medical services at provincial level.
National regulation
HPCSA Board Member (two terms)
Helped shape national EMS regulations and disaster medicine frameworks.
Today
Author & Mental Health Advocate
Breaking the silence around first responder trauma through eGlow (Pty) Ltd.
Books & Publications
Real-life experiences, shared in print and on screen
From Soldier to Doctor
His journey from military service to a history-making doctorate.
Surviving PTSD
The Life of a Paramedic on South African Streets. Hardcover launching soon.
Beyond the Line of Duty
Upcoming 13-episode docuseries on first responder mental health.
More publications are coming in the near future. Dr. Sibanda thrives on sharing real-life experiences through his books.
Organisations
Institutions he has served
Health Professions Council of South Africa
Two-term Board Member
Tshwane Metro EMS
Operational Paramedic
Provincial Emergency Medical Services
Operations Manager and Provincial EMS Director
Military
Service member and military lecturer