Netcare Names Melanie Da Costa as Next CEO in Major Leadership Transition
Netcare Names Melanie Da Costa as Next CEO in Major Leadership Transition. Netcare has announced that Melanie Da Costa will succeed Richard Friedland as chief executive officer, marking a significant leadership transition for one of the country’s largest private healthcare groups.
Da Costa will assume the role of CEO designate on 1 June 2026 and will work alongside Friedland during a six-month transition period before formally taking over as CEO on 1 January 2027.
Friedland, who co-founded Netcare and has led the group since 2005, will retire from the board on 31 December 2026. At the request of the board, he will remain involved as a strategic adviser to the board and the incoming CEO on a consultancy basis until 30 June 2027.
The leadership change comes at a time of major shifts within South Africa’s healthcare sector, including the implementation of the National Health Insurance Act, changing funding and regulatory frameworks, and increased focus on digital healthcare, artificial intelligence and data-driven systems.
In a statement, Friedland said he was confident Da Costa would lead the company successfully into its next phase.
He described her as a leader with integrity who understands the company’s people, strategy and long-term purpose. Friedland also highlighted her role in helping shape Netcare’s health policy direction and broader healthcare strategy over the years.
During his leadership, Netcare expanded into several new divisions, including Netcare 911, Netcare Diagnostics and Netcare Plus. The group also increased its focus on environmental sustainability and digital innovation in healthcare delivery.
Netcare chairman Alex Maditsi credited Friedland with driving the group’s long-term person-centred healthcare strategy and strengthening its position in healthcare technology and sustainability.
Maditsi also praised Friedland’s leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic and said Da Costa brings extensive experience in strategy, capital allocation, health policy and operational leadership.
Da Costa joined Netcare in 2006 to establish the company’s health policy unit and later led the acquisition of mental health provider Akeso, where she served as managing director.
She currently serves as Netcare’s executive director of strategy and health policy and is also a member of the company’s finance committee.
Da Costa said it was an honour to lead Netcare during what she described as a defining period for healthcare transformation, adding that the company’s strategy and commitment to person-centred care remain firmly in place.
