Professor Lawrence Sithole, Director of the School of Health Care Sciences at UL, has been reappointed to the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians. Photo: UL Archives
By Caroline Khoza – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
As the University of Limpopo (UL) continues to attract and nurture leading experts across diverse disciplines, Professor Lawrence Sithole, Director of the School of Health Care Sciences, has been reappointed to the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians.
He views this as a “significant national endorsement” of his expertise, leadership, and lifelong commitment to the profession.
Prof Sithole’s reappointment was confirmed in an official communication from the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who acknowledged his technical expertise, governance experience, and commitment to advancing public health in South Africa.
Previously, he served on the Board from 2020 until October 31, 2025, where he collaborated closely with optometrists nationwide and led key committees with distinction. Reflecting on his new term, he stated: “This reappointment signals a strong vote of confidence in my ability to lead committees and produce reports that will improve the profession and public health. It also reflects the trust of colleagues who value my expertise and acknowledge my contributions to strengthening professional standards.”
In the letter confirming his appointment, Dr Motsoaledi wrote, “I hereby appoint you to serve as a member of the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians for a period of five years, effective from November 1, 2025. I take this opportunity to congratulate you and wish you well in the execution of your duties.”
As he resumes his role, Prof Sithole will continue leading several strategic initiatives to advance the optometric and dispensing optician professions. These initiatives include introducing specialties within optometry, developing a comprehensive assessment question repository, and strengthening key governance committees, particularly the Education, Training, and Registration Committee and the Preliminary Committee of Inquiry.
A primary responsibility of the Board is to ensure that institutions offering optometry and dispensing opticianry programmes meet national accreditation standards. Prof Sithole has been instrumental in evaluating such programmes nationwide, including those delivered through the Phelophepa Healthcare Train. His experience in drafting clinical guidelines, many of which have been adopted by health institutions, continues to inform his contributions at the national level .
Reflecting on the current state of the profession, Prof Sithole identified two pressing challenges: the absence of mandatory community service for newly qualified optometrists and the limited awareness among stakeholders regarding the expanded scope of optometric practice. With optometrists now trained in diagnostics and therapeutics, he believes recognising the full extent of their expertise is crucial for improving healthcare delivery, especially in underserved provinces.
By the end of his second term, Prof Sithole, together with colleagues within the board, aims to achieve significant progress in key areas, including the introduction of board examinations for first-time entrants into the profession and the integration of therapeutics into undergraduate training.
“My goal is to contribute to a system where optometry continues to evolve as both a science and a public service, improving access, quality, and impact in every corner of our country,” he concluded.