Two women, two journeys, both intersecting at a shared passion for healthcare and social justice. In a world where the healthcare industry is often ruled by big companies, it’s rare to find leaders who care so deeply, not just about business, but about people. But in Cape Town, two strong women—Dineshree Naiker and Kacy Rajappen—are changing the way healthcare works by putting patients first and leading with heart.
Their story is not just about building a successful company. It’s about making sure every person, no matter their background, can get the medical care they need. It’s about fighting for fairness in healthcare. Together, Dineshree and Kacy created Umsebe Healthcare, a company that stands for more than just medicine. It stands for hope, compassion, and real change.
Today, Umsebe Healthcare is more than just a company that brings in and sells medicine. It’s a purpose-driven team working to make healthcare better and fairer in South Africa and beyond. Their goal is to help people who don’t have access to the care they need by offering safe, high-quality, and affordable treatments.
The name “Umsebe” means “ray of light” in isiZulu—and that’s exactly what they are. Dineshree and Kacy are shining a light where it’s needed most. With smart ideas, strong partnerships, and a deep care for patients, they’re showing how heart and hard work can truly change lives.
Let’s read how two women are changing healthcare with heart, purpose, and a bold vision for impact!
A Personal Touch to Healthcare Leadership
“I’m Kacy Rajappen, the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Umsebe Healthcare. My passion has always been to make a meaningful difference in society, and after losing my 2.5-year-old son to untreatable childhood cancer in 2008, I was driven to offer patient-centric solutions to unmet healthcare needs,” shares Kacy.
Kacy’s experience has shaped her leadership in healthcare, making her deeply committed to improving accessibility and affordability. Her mission to make healthcare more effective stems from the personal tragedy she faced and continues to fuel her drive to make a real difference in people’s lives.
“I’m Dineshree Naiker, the Co-Founder and CEO of Umsebe Healthcare. I’ve spent 27 years in the pharmaceutical industry, advocating for social justice and equitable healthcare in South Africa,” says Dineshree.
Dineshree’s journey is shaped by her extensive expertise and her unwavering dedication to public health. Her leadership reflects a commitment to innovation, ethical healthcare, and ensuring that Umsebe remains at the forefront of addressing healthcare challenges in South Africa.
Together, Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen lead with purpose, passion, and a vision to create lasting change in the healthcare industry. Their work isn’t just about business growth—it’s about improving lives and making healthcare more accessible and compassionate for all.
Revolutionizing Healthcare with Innovation
When asked about their vision for the company in 2025, both Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen are quick to emphasize Umsebe’s unwavering commitment to addressing South Africa’s and Southern Africa’s unmet medical needs. “Umsebe’s vision is to address unmet medical needs in South Africa and Southern Africa, and it is our imperative to entrench our current products within the hospital sector whilst feverishly focusing on our pipeline development to continue Umsebe’s offering of niche and innovative products to the market,” explains Dineshree.
The goal is not only to introduce innovative products but to do so in a way that puts patients and healthcare providers first. This focus on quality, patient-centric care ensures that Umsebe Healthcare can cater to both the clinical needs of healthcare professionals and the personal needs of patients. “We still remain committed to providing access even when patient numbers may not justify bringing a product to market,” adds Kacy, underscoring their dedication to doing what is right, even when it is not the most profitable choice.
Their vision for 2025 is one where Umsebe Healthcare will continue to grow and innovate while remaining deeply committed to its foundational values. “By remaining updated and abreast of the latest regulations and healthcare developments while ensuring that we are at the forefront of innovative offerings in the healthcare sector, we can anticipate the healthcare landscape of the future,” Dineshree notes.
The Road to Scaling
Every start-up faces its share of challenges, but for Umsebe Healthcare, one of the biggest obstacles in scaling was securing funding. “As with any start-up company, funding is always the biggest challenge, and unfortunately funding from the banks for a pharmaceutical company is the least desirable solution,” Kacy explains.
Fortunately, Umsebe had the advantage of being supported by KD Consulting Pharmaceutical Solutions, a sister company co-founded by both Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen. This partnership proved to be a vital asset in the early stages of Umsebe’s development. “Umsebe was fortunate enough to be assisted by its sister company, KD Consulting Pharmaceutical Solutions in providing the requisite professional regulatory consulting services to Umsebe during the initial development phase,” says Dineshree.
However, it was not just professional expertise that helped Umsebe get off the ground—it was also the support from an Angel Investor who believed in their vision and provided the seed capital that was essential to kick-start their journey. “Umsebe was further blessed to be recognized by an Angel Investor who wholeheartedly believed in the vision of Umsebe and that of its founders,” Kacy shares. This combination of expert guidance and external investment helped Umsebe overcome initial funding hurdles and position itself for growth.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
As the healthcare industry evolves, so too must the companies within it. When discussing the most exciting trends in healthcare today, both Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen highlight some of the most transformative developments. “Biologicals and subsequently biosimilars are significantly transforming the lives of patients. Having access to affordable treatment options is vital, and first to market biosimilars will undoubtedly assist in addressing the high treatment costs,” Dineshree states.
One such advancement, the GLP-1 receptor agonists, is poised to reshape the diabetes market. These developments, combined with the rise of regenerative medicines, hold immense promise for both patients and healthcare providers alike. “The GLP-1 receptor agonists will continue to reshape the diabetes market with expanded uses with an expected significant growth trajectory,” Kacy notes.
By staying at the forefront of these developments, Umsebe Healthcare ensures that it remains relevant in an ever-changing industry. The company embraces these trends, knowing that innovation is essential to improving patient outcomes and healthcare accessibility.
Balancing Roles and Fostering a Strong Team
Leading a growing company is no small feat, and balancing the roles of CEO and COO requires a delicate mix of strategic thinking and hands-on leadership. For Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen, this balance is essential to ensure that Umsebe Healthcare continues to thrive. “Apart from having a clear vision and short and medium-term goals, work-life balance is undoubtedly one of our priorities to ensure that we do not burn out (we’re both guilty of having experienced this), hence prioritizing self-care as leaders and encouraging the same for the team,” Kacy explains.
For them, the success of the company is not just about achieving financial growth—it’s about nurturing a healthy, motivated, and dynamic team. “A company is only as good as the collective within it, hence investing in building and developing a strong, motivated, and dynamic team has enabled Umsebe to achieve its targets,” Dineshree adds.
Their leadership strategy also involves effective delegation, allowing the executive leadership team to take responsibility and drive the company forward. This approach fosters a sense of accountability and empowers employees to contribute meaningfully to the company’s success.
Fostering Innovation and Collaboration
In today’s fast-paced world, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration is crucial to staying ahead. Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen have made this a cornerstone of Umsebe’s work environment. “Maintaining an open-door policy and encouraging open communication is important to enable employees to put forward ideas and suggestions for process improvements,” Kacy shares.
By encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and simplifying processes, they ensure that the team remains agile and responsive to changing needs. This openness fosters creativity and allows the company to stay innovative while maintaining compliance. “Regular inter-departmental collaboration allows the entire team to remain in the loop of what’s going on in the company,” Dineshree notes, emphasizing the importance of unity in a dispersed workforce.
Their commitment to a cohesive team is also reflected in their efforts to bring everyone together for Quarterly Company Pulse meetings. By creating an environment where everyone feels connected, Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen ensure that the entire team shares a sense of ownership and pride in their work.
A Local and Global Influence
While Umsebe Healthcare’s head office is based in Cape Town, its reach extends far beyond the city. “Whilst Umsebe Healthcare’s head office is based in Claremont, Cape Town, the distribution hub is in Gauteng, with a national sales footprint across the country,” Dineshree shares. The company’s national presence allows it to impact healthcare across South Africa, ensuring that its innovative solutions reach those who need them most.
With a focus on sourcing quality products from highly regulated suppliers, Umsebe Healthcare ensures that its offerings meet the highest standards. “Ensuring access to affordable and innovative quality healthcare is what Umsebe Healthcare prides itself on,” says Kacy.
Their impact extends beyond just the products they offer—they are playing a key role in improving healthcare accessibility and quality throughout South Africa.
Sustainability and Patient-Centric Care
Sustainability is another critical aspect of Umsebe Healthcare’s approach. For them, patient care always comes first. “Patient Centric Care is always our focus – we start with the end in mind… The Patient. Always prioritizing the needs of the patient in order to provide innovative solutions that improve the quality of their care,” Kacy explains.
In a constantly evolving healthcare landscape, adaptability is key to long-term success. By staying flexible and responsive, Umsebe Healthcare remains ready to meet future healthcare needs head-on. “Remaining steadfast and resilient… being agile and adaptable is key,” says Dineshree.
The company’s future will undoubtedly be shaped by these principles, ensuring that it continues to thrive and evolve in a challenging industry.
Advice for the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders
For young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs eager to make their mark in healthcare, Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen offer sage advice. “Staying abreast of the latest regulations, policies, technologies and developments within the industry is a no-brainer. Embracing changes rather than resisting them will enable you to get ahead quicker – be adaptable,” Kacy suggests.
They also emphasize the importance of resilience, focus, and business acumen, particularly for those entering the entrepreneurial space. “Excellent business acumen is non-negotiable especially if you are shifting into the entrepreneurial space,” Dineshree advises.
A Legacy of Passion and Perseverance
Reflecting on their journey, both Dineshree Naiker & Kacy Rajappen find the most rewarding aspect to be the opportunity to live out their passion every single day. “The most rewarding aspect for us is waking up each day to what is ‘not just a job’, but a passion — a passion that drives us to be the best version of ourselves,” Dineshree says.
Through adversity, personal challenges, and the pressures of the healthcare industry, they’ve emerged stronger. They see themselves as a beacon of hope for female entrepreneurs in a space traditionally dominated by men. “We see ourselves as a beacon of hope for female entrepreneurs in what was once a male-dominated sector, emphasizing that the only limitations to success are the ones we place on ourselves,” says Kacy.
Their legacy will not just be defined by the success of Umsebe Healthcare but by the impact they’ve made on the healthcare industry, and the lives they’ve touched along the way.
