Colonel Mathe Lesenyeho
We welcome as a panelist, Colonel Mathe Helekia Lesenyeho who serves as the Director: Emergency Military Medical Care within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), where he oversees the full spectrum of emergency medical management for injured and ill military personnel during operations both inside South Africa and across international borders. His leadership ensures that soldiers receive timely, expert, and mission-ready medical support in some of the most demanding operational environments.
Born in Kgalala, a rural trust in Thaba Nchu, Colonel Lesenyeho’s journey reflects deep commitment, resilience, and service. After matriculating at Kaelang High School in Bloemfontein, he joined the SANDF in 2003 and has since completed an extensive range of military and functional courses that underpin his operational expertise.
Colonel Lesenyeho is an Advanced Life Support Emergency Care Practitioner with academic credentials that strengthen his dual focus on emergency response and strategic disaster readiness.
His professional interests lie at the intersection of Disaster Medicine and Emergency Medical Services, where he works to advance systems capable of responding effectively to complex, high‑risk scenarios. As a researcher affiliated with the University of the Free State, he contributes to developing emergency care response frameworks tailored to the structural challenges faced by low‑ and middle‑income countries — a critical area of innovation for global health resilience.
Colonel Lesenyeho brings to RehabConnekt a powerful blend of military medical leadership, academic insight, and a forward‑looking commitment to strengthening emergency care systems. His work continues to shape how South Africa prepares for, responds to, and learns from medical emergencies in both civilian and military contexts.