Obakeng Hlatshwayo is an IoT Project Lead for the Centre, whose primary focus is on building agile project communities, tracking progress and clear gates for (re)assessing project value. He ensures excellent communication on outcomes and processes, builds on existing knowledge rather than re-inventing the wheel and cultivates an agile mindset and culture to harness the power within the Centre.

With extensive project management expertise across various sectors, Obakeng has an exceptional customer satisfaction record and is extremely successful in coordinating large workforces and competent at overseeing various large-scale projects.

He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Northwest University, Bachelor of Technology Degree (Information Communications Technology) from the Vaal University of Technology (South Africa) and is a certified project management professional in good standing with the Project Management Institute in the USA.

Angela Shumba is the Operations Manager at the Centre. She holds an MBA and PDBA degrees from Wits Business School, BSc Hons (Microbiology) from the University of Pretoria and Project Management from Varsity College.

Her previous roles include General Manager and Project Manager at CapeBio Technologies (Pty) Ltd; Biotechnology Consultant and Senior Laboratory Technician at DNAlysis Biotechnology and a Junior Research Assistant position at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria. She has managed projects in the biotechnology sector with a focus on innovation, product development and technology and has experience in operation management, project management, strategy and marketing.

Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa is an experienced computer scientist and digital strategist, whose focus is on communication technology ecosystems, from digital content generation across the value chain to user interface devices.

With a wealth of experience in senior leadership, strategy, finance, project management, stakeholder engagement, policy formulation, technology development, and research and development leadership, he has held various leadership roles.

He holds a PhD (Computer Science) from Auburn University (United States of America), an MSc (Computer Science) from the University of East Anglia (England) and a BSc (Mathematics and Computer Science) from the National University of Lesotho.

Mutendeni Budzwa, an experienced Personal Assistant to the Centre Head brings a wealth of experience in support roles, having worked in the research environment for several years, in local government, and for a year in the corporate sector.

Specialising in office support, Mutendeni possesses comprehensive expertise in Microsoft Office software, workflow management, and e-procurement.

She holds a National Diploma in Office Management and Technology from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, along with completing a short course program in Office Management and Secretarial Development from the University of Pretoria.

Zaaid du Toit, holds a Master’s in Business Telecommunications from Delft University of Technology, serves as a Principal Engineer at CSIR and C4IR South Africa. With extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, particularly in 5G and Cloud Networking, he holds a pivotal role as a principal networking architect. Zaaid has contributed significantly to designing various solutions for both corporate entities and government initiatives.

His influence extends to critical projects, including aiding the government in negotiations with FIFA for the networking solution during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, he played a key role in formulating the business case for the implementation of the South African Broadband Policy.

In recent endeavours, Zaaid has delved into research focusing on 5G network slicing use cases for previously unconnected populations, exploring open cloud solutions, and advocating for open data principles specifically tailored for municipalities.

Millicent Shingange is a Policy Analyst Intern at C4IR South Africa. Her key duties and responsibilities include conducting in-depth research and analysis on Open Governance and Open Data, collaborating with seniors to develop open data policy recommendations and reports. This is to assess the current implementation of open data policies by South African cities, establish regulatory gaps that may inhibit the large- scale implementation and be able to co-design open data actionable policy framework.

With a background in the corporate sector, Millicent has a commendable track record in client relations and satisfaction. Her inherent strengths lie in interpersonal, analytical, and negotiation skills.

She holds a BA in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of South Africa and is proficient in various foreign languages, including Portuguese.

Dr Thulani Dlamini is a member of the South African Academy of Science. He holds a PhD in chemistry and a Master’s degree in business leadership. His previous roles include Vice President: Strategic Research and Technology, General Manager: Research and Development and Chief Researcher at Sasol. At the CSIR, he previously held the positions of Centre Manager: National Laser Centre and Group Executive: Research and Development. He has served on numerous boards and national/international committees, including the Presidential Commission on the 4IR, National Advisory Council on Innovation and United Nations Development Programme South African Programme Board.

Dr Kaven Naidoo holds a PhD in aeronautics engineering and has completed the Executive National Security Programme hosted by South Africa’s Department of Defence. He joined the CSIR in 1999. His previous roles at the CSIR include aeronautics engineer, head of CSIR aeronautics and divisional operations manager for the Mining Cluster, Manufacturing Cluster and Defence and Security Cluster. He has led several national-level efforts on aerospace, including the development of a national aerospace roadmap on behalf of the DSI and hosting national dialogues on empowering aerospace growth in the region and the continent. He also served on the International Forum for Aviation Research.

Prof. Ahmed Bawa, a theoretical physicist, is a member of the Board of Directors of USAf, a member of the Council of the Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and the Academy of Science of South Africa. He also served as Chairperson of the Board of the Foundation for Research Development, Telkom and Sanlam and was Vice-Chairperson of the Board of the Atomic Energy Corporation. He holds a PhD in theoretical physics. His previous roles are Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Durban University of Technology, Chairperson of Higher Education South Africa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Natal and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has served on several national policy development teams and currently serves on several international advisory boards. Prof. Bawa has been a recipient of many awards. Among them was the Transformative Leadership Award bestowed on him by the University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Centre.

Patrick Khulekani Dlamini is the vice chairperson of the International Development Finance Club . He previously held the positions of Chairperson of Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation Africa region, Southern African Development Community Southern African Development Community, Development Finance Institutions, Association of African Development Finance Institutions and World Federation Development Finance Institutions. He holds an MSc in global finance, a B Com degree, certificates for completing an Executive Development Programme and an Advanced Executive Programme. His previous roles are as CEO at Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) Company of South Africa, Executive Vice President and General Manager at South African Airways and business unit executive at Transnet Limited.

In 1992, Roger Baxter joined the Minerals Council (then Chamber of Mines of South Africa) and was appointed CEO in 2015. He is a member of the Minerals Council Board and the Board of Business Unity South Africa, a director at the World Platinum Investment Council and a Vice Chairperson of both the International Associations Working Group within the International Council on Mining and Metals and the Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa. He previously chaired the BUSA Econpol and Growth Task Team. He has 30 years of high-level advocacy and strategy experience in the business and mining sectors. He was involved in the first mineral policy discussions with the ANC in 1992 and has participated in (and often led) discussions on all aspects of mining, economics, investment, transformation and tax policy with the government.

Mikel Mabasa is a transport economist by training with a considerable business background in the aviation industry. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Air Services Licensing Council. He also served in many other capacities such as Chairperson of the Board of ATNS and a member of the International Air Services Council. His previous roles include senior executive positions for several blue-chip multinational corporations such as Heineken International, Diageo, Rio Tinto and Japan Tobacco International. He also served in government as a spokesperson and a ministerial advisor to the late Dr Dullah Omar in his capacity as Minister of Transport.

Adam Craker is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation, chapter Chairperson for YPO Gold Johannesburg, member Institute of Directors and former President of the IMD Alumni Club of South Africa. In September 2009, he joined IQbusiness and later appointed as CEO in 2010. His previous roles are COO at Super Group, group executive at Dimension Data, MD at Merchants (Pty) Ltd, associate partner at Accenture and Market Analyst at British Gas.

He is an ardent lobbyist for government and business collaboration, though he emphasises education as the key ingredient to driving an inclusive future for all South Africans. Adam has forged strong partnerships between IQbusiness and various NGOs and social enterprises, such as SmartStart, Tomorrow Trust, Harambee, Partners for Possibility and the National Mentorship Movement to act as catalysts for positive trends in education and self-advancement. Two social enterprises are currently under Adam’s leadership as CEO – the COBRA Initiative and SAtion.

Tilson Manyoni is the Managing Director of VisionWave (Pty)Ltd, Executive Director of Milestones (Pty)Ltd and Chairperson of the Council for Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). He is also a member of the BRICS Council Digital Economy working group and Board of Trustees of Indlulamithi South Africa Scenario 2030. He holds two master’s degrees (MSc.), namely major programme management and project management, a Bachelor of Technology in industrial engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in information technology. Over the past 15 years, he started three companies in the field of technology. His previous roles include process engineer, senior business analyst and IT project manager.

Dr Phil Mjwara has served as the director general of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) since April 2006. In this capacity, he is responsible for all policy development in the science and technology sector in South Africa, as well as the portfolio management and governance of South Africa’s systems of government laboratories. His responsibilities further include the management of South African science and technology official development assistance and the driving of the implementation of South Africa’s National Research and Development Strategy and the management of South Africa’s new DST 10 Year Innovation Plan.

Prior to his appointment at DST, Dr Mjwara was the group executive: Research and Development; Strategic Human Capital Development at the CSIR. At the CSIR, he was responsible for assisting the CSIR strengthening its Science and Technology base including Human Capital Development. In 2001, Dr Mjwara joined the NLC as its head, where he has been instrumental in growing the centre’s activities since its inception and in creating a network of centres in Africa, i.e., African Laser Centre.