Mbabane — EswatiniMed has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Peter Samora Simelane, will retire at the end of May 2026, bringing to a close more than three decades of service at the country’s largest medical aid scheme.
The announcement was made on 30 December 2025 during EswatiniMed’s Annual General Meeting. Simelane joined the organisation in 1993 and later rose to the position of Chief Executive Officer, a role he has held for several years.
During his tenure, EswatiniMed expanded its operations beyond traditional medical aid administration and increased its involvement in healthcare delivery. The organisation introduced governance reforms, expanded access to specialist healthcare services, and invested in healthcare infrastructure.
One of the major developments during Simelane’s leadership was the establishment of the Ezulwini Private Hospital, which opened in 2022. In 2023, King Mswati III officially named the hospital Sitselo Semphilo. In 2024, the hospital became the first in Eswatini to receive accreditation from the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa after meeting more than 4,000 international standards.
Simelane’s leadership period also coincided with governance and regulatory challenges that placed EswatiniMed under public scrutiny between 2024 and 2025. These included boardroom disputes, court proceedings, and regulatory engagement concerning governance and financial oversight. EswatiniMed has maintained that it remained solvent and compliant with statutory requirements throughout this period.
By late 2025, the organisation reported that internal stability had been restored following board elections and reconciliation processes.
Board Chairperson Sammy Dlamini confirmed that succession planning is underway to ensure continuity in leadership and operations.
Simelane is expected to exit the organisation at the end of May 2026.
