OVERVIEW
DIVISION OF BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY
The Division of Biosafety and Biosecurity (DBB) performs a transversal function at the NICD and is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of biocontainment engineering and BioRisk management specialists. The Division is responsible for the oversight and advancement of institutional BioRisk management systems and infrastructure.
DBB oversees the daily operation, maintenance, certification, and strategic development of the institute’s Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) facilities. In addition to technical oversight, the Division plays a critical role in capacity building through the delivery of accredited and custom training programmes in biosafety, biosecurity, and biocontainment.
The Division boasts a highly skilled and dedicated team of biocontainment engineers and artisans, BioRisk management specialists, and administrative professionals who support the implementation of national and regional biosafety and biosecurity priorities.
OBJECTIVES
DIVISION OF BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY
To oversee the daily operation, maintenance, upgrading, (re)certification and development of the NICD’s high and maximum containment facilities (i.e. BSL3 and BSL4 facilities), in accordance with current local and international biosafety and biosecurity guidelines, regulations and best practices.
To champion the continual improvement of biosafety and biosecurity policy, procedure and implementation at the NICD in order to allow for compliance with national and international regulations as they may apply and in support of the Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee’s (IBBC) initiatives.
This is executed through:
- The maintenance and support of the safe and secure operation of high and maximum containment infrastructure.
- The facilitation of field-specific training activities and co-ordination of the Regional Diagnostic Demonstration Centre (RDDC) training activities.
FUNCTIONS
- Overseeing the daily operation, maintenance, upgrading, (re)certification and development of high and maximum containment facilities (i.e. BSL3 and BSL4 facilities);
- Provision of expert advice and guidance in the design, budgeting, construction, upgrading and maintenance of high and maximum containment facilities;
- Formulation and management of capital expenditure budgets for infrastructural and biocontainment system upgrade projects, including mobile laboratory infrastructure for outbreak response.
- Provision of technical support for the implementation of the NICD Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee’s (IBBC) initiatives;
- Driving the development and updating of institutional biorisk management manuals, training programmes and emergency response plans, including procedures for shipping and receipt of biological and hazardous materials.
- Coordination and support of biorisk management related activities at the NICD, including Biorisk management training and mentorship.
- Promoting a shared culture of responsibility, reducing dual use risks, mitigation of biological proliferation and deliberate use threats, and to ensure safe transfer of biological materials.
The mission of the Regional Demonstration Diagnostic Centre (RDDC) is to enhance laboratory capabilities on the African continent to build capacity for dealing with infectious disease pandemics, whilst promoting a culture of laboratory safety and security to minimise the risks of accidental environmental exposure and intentional misuse. To this end, the RDDC has been certified by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) as the first Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity (RCoEBB) in the Africa region offering courses specified under Africa CDCs’ Regional Training and Certification Program for Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals.
Objectives:
- The promotion of laboratory-based diagnostics to ensure that accessible and sustainable training is available to laboratory professionals on the African continent;
- To develop field-specific competencies and to build BioRisk Management (BRM) capacity that allows individuals to implement innovative and effective solutions in resource constrained environments;
- To serve as a collaborator to develop international partnerships and networks for enhancing laboratory-based diagnostics and BRM.
LEADERSHIP AND TEAM
DIVISION OF BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY
Zibusiso M. Masuku is an engineer and biosafety/biosecurity professional specialising in the implementation of biorisk management and biocontainment engineering best practices in high and maximum containment facilities. He has over sixteen (16) years of experience in health security, particularly in the enterprising use of the limited resources for the sustainable operation of biocontainment facilities in resource-constrained environments. He is a subject matter expert with demonstrable competencies in the design, construction, operation and (re)certification of high and maximum containment facilities – and is a certified Africa Regional Subject Matter Expert (Af-RSME) in Biorisk Management and the Selection, Installation, Maintenance and Certification of Biological Safety Cabinets.
He leads the Division of Biosafety and Biosecurity and is responsible for the management of high and maximum containment laboratory facilities, the improvement of laboratory infrastructure, and development of related policies and standards at the NICD/NHLS. He is the Immediate Past Chairperson of the NICD’s Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee (IBBC); a Member of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Biosafety (TAG-B); a Qualified Expert of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for the Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical, Biological or Toxin Weapons (UNSGM); and a member of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC) Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity Technical Working Group (RBB-TWG) for Southern Africa Regional Collaboration Centre (SARCC).
He led the teams that developed the Africa CDCs Regional Training and Certification Program for Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals, and the Regulatory and Certification Framework for Institutions Handling High Risk Pathogens. He now oversees the implementation of both these regional programs at the NICDs Regional Diagnostic Demonstration Centre (RDDC), certified as the first Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity (RCoEBB) in Africa in support of the Africa CDCs Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative.
Biosafety Technician
Gunther Meier
Email: guntherm@nicd.ac.za
Biosafety Technician
Ronny Sebaka
Email: ronnys@nicd.ac.za
Biorisk Specialist
Anastasia Trataris-Rebisz
Email: anastasian@nicd.ac.za
Biorisk Specialist
Wayne Howard
Email: wayneh@nicd.ac.za
Biorisk Specialist
Noluthando Duma
Email:NoluthandoD@nicd.ac.za
Assistant Biosafety Technician
Zacharia Mabena
Email: zachariam@nicd.ac.za
Assistant Biosafety Technician
Thendo Netshilema
Email: thendon@nicd.ac.za
Project Coordinator
Nomsebenzi Malinga
Email: nomsebenzim@nicd.ac.za
Artisan – Maintenance
Tshireletso Masena
Handyman
Philemon Mokoena
Housekeeping
Innocentia Denga
Regional Diagnostic Demonstration Centre (RDDC)
Africa CDC Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity
The Regional Diagnostic Demonstration Centre (RDDC), headquartered at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Johannesburg, is the first Africa CDC-designated Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity on the continent.
Launched in partnership with the Africa CDC and the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and officially opened by South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, in December 2022, the RDDC serves as a flagship facility for specialized training, technical demonstration, and regional capacity building.
Originally conceptualized following South Africa’s frontline role during the West African Ebola outbreak, the RDDC has since become a continental hub for strengthening biosafety and biosecurity systems across Africa. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure supports academic instruction, hands-on laboratory simulation, and operational readiness for biological threat response — including viral hemorrhagic fevers and emerging infectious diseases.
The RDDC is a core asset of the DBB, hosting the Africa CDC Regional Training and Certification Programmes for Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals, and delivering more than 16 distinct training courses since January 2022. Training modules include:
- BioRisk management and hazard communication Emergency preparedness and response
- Dual-use oversight and bioinformatics
- Specimen shipping and secure laboratory practices
The Centre also supports national efforts under WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR), contributes to outbreak preparedness in the Southern African region, and forms part of a pilot model for replication in other African regions.
Backed by Canada, the United States, and African stakeholders, the RDDC reflects South Africa’s commitment to building a safer, more secure continent through biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory excellence.
About the RDDC
The Regional Diagnostic Demonstration Centre (RDDC), also known as the “Training Centre,” is located at South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Johannesburg. It represents a significant achievement in strengthening Africa’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks and biosecurity threats.
The Africa CDC has designated the RDDC as the “Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity” and has already begun developing regional and continent-wide certification programs at the facility.
South Africa has been a top-priority partner for DTRA’s Biological Threat Reduction Program, and the program strives to support South Africa as a regional leader, promoting best practices in disease surveillance and biosafety and biosecurity.
Key Achievements
Designated as the "Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity"
Conducted more than 16 different training courses since January 2024
Developing regional and continent-wide certification programs
Training both South African and regional professionals to increase capacity
Strengthening laboratory capacity across the continent
Supporting South Africa as a regional leader in biosafety
Training Programs
The RDDC offers a variety of training courses designed to strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks and biosecurity threats. Our programs cater to both South African and regional audiences.
BioRisk Management
- Risk assessment methodologies
- Biosafety containment practices
- Laboratory security measures
Risk & Hazard Communication
- Crisis communication planning
- Public health messaging
- Stakeholder engagement
Outbreak Response
- Rapid response team training
- Field epidemiology
- PPE usage and protocols
To enquiry about our training programs, click here.
History of the RDDC
2014: Ebola Outbreak Response
The genesis for the RDDC follows the NICD’s deployment of their mobile laboratory unit to Sierra Leone during the West African Ebola outbreak. South Africa was quick to mobilize from the NICD when Ebola emerged, but health teams faced challenges working in environments requiring extensive personal protective equipment.
2015: Partnership Formation
Following the outbreak, African stakeholders such as the Africa CDC identified gaps and vulnerabilities and developed plans to strengthen zoonotic disease response on the continent. By 2015, DTRA partnered with South Africa to enable their commitment to strengthening laboratory capacity on the continent and prevent future zoonotic disease outbreaks. This partnership recognized South Africa as a regional leader and global partner in improving human and animal health security, making it a top-priority partner for DTRA’s Biological Threat Reduction Program.
Construction and Renovation
The renovations were part of a larger, global effort between DTRA, the NICD and the African Union Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC). DTRA provided the design plans and physical renovations to the training centre while the NICD contributed the land, human capital expertise and the laboratory equipment.
December 9: Official Opening
Members of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating completion of the construction project of the Regional Diagnostic Demonstration Centre (RDDC) at South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Johannesburg on December 9. The Africa CDC designated the Training Centre as the “Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity” and began developing regional and continent-wide certification programs at the facility.
2022: Operational Status
The Training Centre is currently operational and has conducted more than 16 different training courses since January of 2022 for both South African and other regional audiences. Courses at the Training Centre include topics from BioRisk management to risk and hazard communication, to preparing South Africa to respond to outbreaks on the continent.
Our Partners
NICD
South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases contributed land, human capital expertise, and laboratory equipment to the RDDC.
Africa CDC
The African Union Centre for Disease Control designated the Training Centre as the “Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity.”
DTRA
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency provided the design plans and physical renovations to the training centre as part of their commitment to global health security.
Contact Us
- Address: National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) Johannesburg, South Africa
- Email: info@rddc.org
- Phone: +27 (0) 11 555 0123
