Zimbabwean born paediatrician Dr Tsitsi Chawatama to chair Save the Children UK

A ZIMBABWEAN born consultant paediatrician with a wealth of clinical and development experience in Africa has been appointed chair of Save the Children UK.

Dr Tsitsi Chawatama, 42, who grew up in Zimbabwe, has worked in Ethiopia and is now based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London, joins Save the Children today (Monday).

Tsitsi, who lives in London, is already involved with three other NGOs. She is a trustee of Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and the Duke of Sussex to support vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana.

She is also vice-chair of AFRUCA-Safeguarding Children, which promotes the protection of children from BAME communities in the UK, Europe and Africa; and is a safeguarding trustee of UK-Med which responds to health emergency responses around the world.

 ‘I am delighted and honoured to be joining the board of Save the Children UK at such a crucial time in history where children’s lives and their future wellbeing are threatened by unprecedented social, environmental and economic issues,’ Tsitsi said. ‘I am a passionate advocate for children and excited to be part of the team working towards the important goals of protecting children, supporting families and ensuring that each child has a chance to achieve their potential and become whoever they want to be.’

Two vice-chairs have also been appointed. Richard Winter, a partner at PwC, the professional services network, and Dr Arabella Duffield, a former aid worker who is now a trustee of several charities.

Kevin Watkins, the chief executive of Save the Children UK, said of the new chair:

“Tsitsi brings with her a wealth of experience in child health – and a deep commitment to child rights. Staff are looking forward to working with her to achieve our ambitious mission for children. I also want to extend my thanks on behalf of staff across SCUK to Charles Steel, our outgoing Interim Chair. Over the last two years Charles has helped steer our organisation through a period of great change, providing invaluable guidance, support and advice.”

Dr Chawatama studied her medical degree with University of Leicester. She did post graduate studies with University of London and University of Oxford.