The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) is a public entity under the National Government of South Africa, whose goal is to help public service employees and their families to get the best possible healthcare at the most affordable rate.
The beginning of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) was a historic moment when, in 2002, the Cabinet approved a framework policy on a restricted (closed) medical scheme for further development by an interdepartmental working group (Departments of Public Service and Administration, National Treasury, Health, Education, Correctional Services and SAPS).
The approved framework policy centred on the principles of equity, efficiency and differentiation: equity, where employees have equal access to the most extensive set of equal basic benefits under equitable remuneration structures, subject to affordability; efficiency, regarding the costs and delivery of benefits; differentiation, where employees choosing more extensive cover have equal access to higher benefits subject to their needs; and government’s commitment to an equitable and affordable medical scheme.
The Cabinet gave the development and implementation of the Government Employees Medical Scheme intense consideration, relying on substantial research and data analyses.
The implementation of the Government Employees Medical Scheme is a positive step that positions government as an employer of choice that truly cares for the health and wellbeing of its employees.
The Government Employees Medical Scheme was registered on 1 January 2005 specifically to meet the healthcare needs of government employees. It offers six excellent healthcare benefit options, namely; Tanzanite One, Beryl, Ruby, Emerald Value, Emerald, and Onyx.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Dr Nomzamo Tutu
Deputy Chairperson
- Mr Siyabulela Thomas Tsengiwe
Board Members
- Mr Pierre Francois De Villiers
- Ms Precious Lebohang Khumalo
- Mr Pulane Neville Ndumo
- Ms Nkobane Constence Ntshane
- Dr Hendrick Pieter Punt
- Dr Mashoto Mpho Johannes Rabada
- Mr Alvin Phumudzo Rapea
- Adv Sibongile Sigodi
- Dr Frederik Johannes Smit
- Dr Izak Jacobus van Zyl
- Principal Executive Officer:
- Dr Stan Moloabi
Chief Financial Officer
- Ms Karyna Van Lingen
Chief Operations Officer
- Dr Vuyokazi Gqola
Chief Information Officer
- Ms Gloria Nkadimeng
Senior Management
- Ms Masingita Chavalala (Executive Manager: Office of the Principal Executive Officer)
- Mr Andre Cowley (Chief Compliance Officer)
- Mr Zaahir Elias (Chief Audit Executive)
- Ms Malinda Lubbe (Acting: Chief Marketing Officer)
- Dr Selaelo Mametja (Chief Research Officer)
- Ms Audrey Mareme (Acting: Chief Corporate Services Officer)
- Ms Marjorie Nqala (Acting: Chief Healthcare Officer)
- Mr Reginald Sadiki (Chief Administration Officer)
- Mr Evan Theys (Company Secretary and Legal Counsel)
Communications Officers
- Dr Stan Moloabi (Principal Officer)
Contact Details
The contact details of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Vutomi House, 124 Mercy Avenue, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria, 0010 |
| Postal Address: | Private Bag X782, Cape Town, 8000 |
| Telephone: | 0860 00 4367 |
| Email: | enquiries@gems.gov.za |
| Website: | www.gems.gov.za |
