Bakani Mark Ncube was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and attended school at St. Thomas Aquinas and at the Christian Brothers’ College. He then studied Pharmacy at the University of Zimbabwe where he was the recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Leadership (2017). Furthermore, he has received numerous awards including from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and Junior Chamber International (JCI). The latter conferred the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of Zimbabwe award to him.

Bakani has also held several leadership positions nationally, regionally and internationally. He has served as President of the Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Students Association (ZPSA) and as an ex-officio member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe’s Council. In addition, he has served the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) in various capacities, with the most recent being its Policy Coordinator (2019-2020). He is currently an Assistant Editor of the Pharmaceutical Journal of Zimbabwe, a Trustee at the Centre for Health Equity Zimbabwe and a member of the Board of Governors of the Justice Desk.

Bakani has an interest in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and policy analysis, particularly in the African context. As a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, he is conducting research on African medicines regulatory harmonisation initiatives, and he intends to protect and promote the public’s right to safe, quality and efficacious medical products/health technologies while being a voice at the cutting edge of public policy and health. A global citizen with a heart of service and an advocate for African solutions for Africa’s challenges, Bakani also loves photography, travel, and being outdoors – especially when there are sunsets involved.