September 2025: Professor Dingani Moyo – African Male Researcher of the Month

Illustrative Image: September 2025: Professor Dingani Moyo – African Male Researcher of the Month
Image Source & Credit: Occupational Health Southern Africa
Ownership and Usage Policy

Professor Dingani Moyo is a distinguished academic, physician, and global leader in occupational and environmental health. He currently serves as an associate professor at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe and an honorary senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. With over three decades of medical and academic experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in shaping occupational health policy, research, and practice across Africa and the globe.

Early Life and Education

Born in Gweru, in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province, and raised in a rural village in Zhombe near Kwekwe, Professor Moyo’s journey is a testament to determination and excellence. He graduated as a medical doctor (MBChB) from the University of Zimbabwe in 1994, completing his internship at Mpilo Central Hospital and the United Bulawayo Hospitals in Bulawayo. He later held medical positions at Gweru Provincial Hospital before embarking on a career-defining journey in occupational health at Zimasco Pvt Ltd, the country’s largest chrome mining company at the time.

This experience laid the foundation for an illustrious career that saw him lead health services in Botswana’s Debswana Diamond Mining Company and Norilsk Nickel’s Tati Nickel Mining Company before returning to Zimasco as Group Health Services Manager. His work in corporate occupational health inspired him to pursue advanced training and professional qualifications globally.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

Driven by a relentless quest for knowledge and professional excellence, Professor Moyo obtained several prestigious qualifications, including:

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (FRCP)

Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of Ireland (FFOM)

Member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of Ireland (MFOM)

Master (Hons) of Occupational Health and Safety, University of Newcastle, Australia

Master of Applied Health Services Management, University of Newcastle, Australia

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), University of Zimbabwe

These qualifications underpin his international recognition as a thought leader in occupational health.

Contributions to Occupational Health and Research

Professor Moyo’s impact extends far beyond clinical practice. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening occupational health systems in Africa, particularly within mining and high-risk industries.

International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH): He was the first ICOH National Secretary for Zimbabwe (2012–2015) and has twice served on the ICOH Board (2015–2018, 2022–2024). He currently contributes to the ICOH Working Group on Modernisation of Processes and Practices.

OSHAfrica: As a member of the Board of Trustees, he leads the Education and Competency Improvement Scientific Committee, driving capacity building across the continent.

Regional Development: Under the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), he developed mine health and safety SOPs for TB, HIV, and occupational lung diseases across nine countries. Under AUDA-NEPAD, he crafted frameworks for occupational safety, health, and environmental protection for artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs), including national OHSE policies, handbooks, medical surveillance guidelines, and communication strategies for countries such as Lesotho and Malawi.

Training and Mentorship: He has trained healthcare personnel in spirometry, audiometry, TB, and OLD diagnostics, while also championing postgraduate training. He is spearheading the development of a Master of Medicine degree in Occupational Medicine at NUST to build the next generation of specialists.

Research and Publications

Professor Moyo has authored over 50 peer-reviewed research papers and more than 60 technical reports. His research explores the health effects of asbestos exposure, occupational risks in artisanal and small-scale mining, and mitigation strategies for occupational lung diseases. His studies, conducted in collaboration with global partners such as the German Environment Agency, Wellcome Trust, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, underscore the global relevance of his work.

Awards and Global Recognition

Professor Moyo’s contributions to the advancement of occupational health have earned him international acclaim. In 2024, he achieved two historic milestones:

Elected Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini – an exclusive international academy of no more than 180 experts worldwide, recognized for their integrity and distinguished contributions to occupational and environmental health.

Double Award from the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), UK:

Outstanding Contribution to the Global Development of Occupational Health

Outstanding Contribution to Occupational Health Research

These accolades affirm his position as one of the leading figures in occupational health on the world stage.

Leadership Vision

Today, Professor Moyo continues to consolidate his legacy by focusing on capacity development, mentorship, and regional policy frameworks. His vision is to create sustainable, context-specific occupational health systems that protect workers in Africa’s most hazardous industries while aligning with global health standards.

Conclusion

Professor Dingani Moyo’s career is a remarkable blend of clinical expertise, academic excellence, international leadership, and unwavering advocacy for workers’ health and safety. From his beginnings in rural Zimbabwe to global recognition as a Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini, he embodies a rare commitment to advancing occupational health. His work continues to inspire, train, and empower professionals across Africa and beyond, making him not only an ambassador for occupational medicine but also a pioneer shaping the future of global health and safety.