Batswadi Pharmaceuticals

Batswadi Pharmaceuticals (PTY) Ltd is a newly established black empowered, innovative company with a focus on biotechnology, founded to leverage the unmet needs of the South African pharmaceutical market.

Founded in the spring of 2005 by CEO, Christopher Whitfield, Batswadi (meaning parent in Tswana) aims to increase Africa’s access to innovative products, diagnostics, devices and services.

To ensure that it achieves these aims, it has entered into strategic partnerships with key players that will not only see it deliver economic benefits to its shareholders but simultaneously increase the African people’s access to innovative products and technologies.

Its four core business units: pharmaceutical sales, biotechnology, clinical research and consumer health, are staffed by a team of highly skilled individuals who are dedicated to ensuring the highest levels of excellence in the execution of its strategic intent.

Mission & Vision

Our Vision
To be the preferred innovation partner in Africa for products, diagnostics, devices and services.

Our Mission
Increase Africa’s access to innovation by embracing the following philosophies:

Managing the company by nurturing the values of innovation, lifelong learning, integrity and excellence in execution.
Recognition of corporate social responsibility
By entering into strategic partnerships that will deliver mutual economic benefits for shareholders as well as innovative solutions for the African consumer.
Adopting an efficient company structure that facilitates empowered decision making at the lowest level possible
Being specialists in Biotechnology commercialisation.

Strategic Intent
Increasing Africa’s access to innovative products, diagnostics, devices and services.

Values

People

Each person has intrinsic worth
Recognise and build on the potential of all employees
Encourage and incubate new ideas to achieve our vision

Innovation

Improve Healthcare of African patients
Extend length and quality of life
Provide solutions to unmet medical needs
In our processes and approach to people

Lifelong Learning

Information and knowledge sharing within and throughout the organisation
Creating leaders that continue to develop through personal growth and stretch goal setting

Excellence in Execution

Delivering on our commitments
Demonstrating integrity in all we do

Empowerment and Accountability

Celebrate Diversity
Reduce decision making to the lowest levels possible

Batswadi Leadership

”As the leader of this very talented and experienced team, I try to provide support and context for all the functions within the business. We constantly strive to inspire the team and allow our creativity to drive our decision making and problem solving processes."

At the core of the business is a reliance on management innovation. In Gary Hamel’s recent HBS article, he defined the components of Management Innovation as Committing to big problems, Novel principles that illuminate new approaches, deconstruction of management orthodoxies, and Analogies from atypical organizations that redefine what’s possible. (1)

"Because of our size and relatively new culture, we can get it right from the start. Our wish is to retain the entrepreneurial feel that at times has the tendency to get lost as the organization grows."

“I also try and keep our time together fun, often times crazy and fresh, like the best companies of the fast paced biotech companies of the US. The South African pharmaceutical industry is slowly transforming itself from a combative past to one that invites change and plays a role in shaping its future. When I first arrived as the first black CEO here in SA , it was a very different place. Now we see innovation beginning to take hold, but we still have a long way to go and Batswadi Pharmaceuticals will be there at the front driving change through innovation. – Christopher Whitfield, Batswadi Pharmaceuticals CEO and founder.

(1) reference, Harvard Business Review, Volume 84, Number 2, February 2006, “Management Innovation”, Gary Hamel.

”One of my greatest passions is developing people. To see raw potential grow into something rewarding for the individual and the people around them, gives me immense satisfaction. "

“I grew up in a social environment where potential was just stepped on and never realised. I would like to give less privileged people the opportunity to grow into the most amazing people, who know where they come from, but more importantly, know where they are going.” – Lynette van Wyk, Batswadi Pharmaceuticals, Head of Marketing.

”I have been in the clinical research field for over ten years. Seeing the difference we can make in people’s lives through the clinical trials we perform, is an inspiration in itself. Each day I am guaranteed to learn something new. Who could ask for more rewarding a job?” – Suheila Abdul-Karrim, Batswadi Pharmaceuticals, Clinical Research Manager

“I love my job. No two days are alike. One has to be able to multitask. It is exciting, fast paced and fun! We expect the best from our employees and recognise that each person is unique and has something valuable to offer."

“Helping people reach their potential is rewarding. I enjoy the people interaction, yet also love the financial aspect and the strategic business part of my job. I’m probably an anomaly!” – Angela Conway, Batswadi Pharmaceuticals, Director: HR, Operations and Finance.