For Bulela Vava, 35, oral health is more than a clinical concern — it’s a matter of social justice and health equity. Bulela is the president of the Public Oral Health Forum (POHF), where he leads national efforts to integrate oral health into South Africa’s broader public health priorities. His work aims to reduce oral health inequalities, particularly for vulnerable populations. At Wits University, Bulela balances his academic responsibilities as a dentist-lecturer, coordinating undergraduate training and community outreach programmes, while also pursuing his MDent in community dentistry. His leadership in both spaces reflects his belief that meaningful change happens at the intersection of education, policy and community engagement. Bulela participated as an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity and advocated for South Africa’s oral health agenda on international stages like the International Association for Dental Research Conference. He supports initiatives advancing the rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and volunteers for the Special Olympics. Bulela is committed to “dying empty” — living fully, sharing his expertise, and building a legacy of impact through every experience.
I have always admired our former president, Thabo Mbeki, for his intelligence, creativity and wisdom, despite his imperfections both as a leader and in his personal life. I particularly hold my mentor, Professor Habib Benzian, in high esteem. He has built an impressive global career focused on making a significant impact and influencing health policies at both national and international levels, aimed at improving the health of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Over the past six to seven years, Professor Benzian has played a crucial role in my career, guiding me through difficult times when I doubted my abilities. He has gone above and beyond to connect me with platforms and opportunities that I, as a representative from the global South and Africa, would not have had access to otherwise.