The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) hosted a three-day bilateral engagement with Lesotho's Radiation Protection Agency (RPA) at its Pretoria head office from 14 September 2026.
The meeting brought together executive leaders and radiation regulation specialists from Lesotho with SAHPRA staff to exchange technical expertise, review operational practices and identify opportunities to improve regulatory alignment in radiation protection and health product regulation across Southern Africa.
The Lesotho delegation participated in technical site visits to the Nuclear Medicine Research Institute (NUMERI), the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Dosimetry Laboratory.
Both authorities shared insights on legislative and institutional frameworks, including operational models, information and communications technology systems, quality management practices and regulatory fee structures. They also considered ways to improve operational alignment in medical exposure oversight, radiation licensing, radiation protection and monitoring.
"Regulatory excellence is built through continuous learning, technical collaboration and a shared commitment to evidence-based oversight," said Mr Mqekela Khesa, CEO of the RPA. "This engagement provided an important platform to exchange practical insights across radiation protection, quality management, regulatory systems and operational practices."
Mr Mqondisi Maphophe, Senior Manager: Medical Devices and Radiation Control at SAHPRA, said: "Strong regulatory systems are essential to protecting patients, healthcare professionals and the public, and this requires collaboration that extends beyond national borders. Our engagement with Lesotho's Radiation Protection Agency demonstrates the value of sharing expertise, benchmarking regulatory practices and building institutional capabilities across the region."
The two institutions said they will continue knowledge sharing, technical collaboration and benchmarking to contribute to a safer, stronger and more harmonised radiation protection environment in Southern Africa.
