BUTI MANAMELA
Deputy Minister, Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Buti Manamela currently serves as the Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science, and Innovation. Formerly, he held the role of Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Youth Development, and Administration. With a parliamentary tenure since 2009, he assumed roles including Whip of the Labour Portfolio Committee and Chief Volunteer for parliament’s Nelson Mandela Day. Manamela is a member of the South African Communist Party’s Central Committee and formerly held the position of National Secretary for the YCLSA. His involvement extends to the ANC Youth League, South African Students Congress, and various student organizations. Additionally, he worked as an organizer for the SACCAWU trade union in 2001. Manamela pursued an N-Certificate in Electronics at Mamelodi College until 2001, and later achieved a Post-Graduate Diploma (2014) and a Master of Management in Public Policy from the University of Witwatersrand (2017).
MAKALO MOHALE
MEC for Education, Free State
Provincial Government
Makalo Mohale, the current MEC for Education in the Free State Provincial Government, originates from Botshabelo in the Free State. His foray into political activism began during his studies at the University of the Free State and he played notable roles in organisations like the ANC, ANCYL, NEHAWU and SASCO). His career trajectory encompassed diverse roles, including law articles and public participation in the Free State Legislature, along with supply chain management in Ngwathe Local Municipality. His journey led him through positions such as a spokesperson for the Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro and Director of Supply Chain at the Free State Department of Police Roads and Transport. This path culminated in his appointment as the MEC for the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs in May 2019.
DR ADRIANA MARAIS
Theoretical Physicist, Author and Adventurer
Dr Adriana Marais, a theoretical physicist, has a remarkable journey. Her background includes pioneering research in quantum effects in biology and the origins of life’s components in space, leading to an award-winning PhD and postdoctoral work. Currently, she’s developing a blockchain-based economic system for extreme environments, alongside a second PhD. She founded Proudly Human after leaving her position as Head of Innovation at SAP Africa and has embarked on the Off-World Project, conducting off-grid habitation experiments in extreme environments to prepare for interplanetary life and a resilient future on Earth. She’s also a Director at the Foundation for Space Development Africa, involved in projects like Africa’s first lunar mission and groundbreaking lunar radio telescope science.
GLENDA SETSHEDI
Founder, Pathfinders
With a decade of training and consulting experience, Glenda is a fervent champion of social entrepreneurship and education transformation. Hailing from Temba, which aptly means “Hope,” she’s internationally accredited as an NBI Practitioner, focused on impactful change. As co-founder of Career Active Training and Consulting, she guides young minds toward diverse careers and leads Pathfinders, nurturing a thriving township economy via business incubation and partnerships. Glenda’s entrepreneurial zeal has garnered prestigious accolades, including the Mandela Washington Fellowship, showcasing her role as a driving force for positive change in South Africa.
ALFRED CHINGOMBE
Co-founder and Principal, RAD Academy
Alfred’s fascination with AI’s potential to empower those lacking educational access led him to master AI’s applications across diverse domains, primarily through self-directed learning and formal education in Computer Science. He employs AI to enhance education, generate content, expedite research, and compose materials like this bio. Alfred envisions AI as pivotal for South Africa’s growth, advocating immediate adoption to foster economic advancement, job growth, and global competitiveness, urging individuals and institutions to embrace AI education for a prosperous future.
STEVE SHERMAN
Chief Imagination Officer, Living Maths
Steve is the Chief Imagination Officer of the STEAM based NGO, Living Maths. He teaches a few thousand students weekly around the world. He is a 2020 recipient of the Global Teacher Award, 2 x Tedx speaker, Kahoot Ambassador and verified educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Executive Member of the Global Education Network, Space Foundation’s International Teacher Liaison, the outreach officer for the annual Humans to Mars Summit, Coordinator of one of the world’s largest maths Olympiads, chief organiser of the annual Living Maths Space Tour and one of only 2 Skype Master Teachers in South Africa. He knows Karate, Ju-jitsu and 2 other Japanese words and he has a black belt in buffet.
RICH SIBUSISO HLATSHWAYO
Co-Founder, Me2You
Rich Sibusiso Hlatshwayo is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and mathematician who is passionate about creating social impact. Rich is dedicated to leveraging innovation and collaboration to drive positive change. As the co-founder of Me2You, he is on a mission to tackle food insecurity and unemployment in underprivileged communities. His visionary leadership and commitment to empowering communities have garnered recognition and accolades in the innovation and social entrepreneurship sphere.
ZIME NXUMALO
Founder, Zime Wezwe Creatives
At just 20-yeardsold, Zime Nxumalo is the founder and proprietor of Zime Wezwe Creatives, a software development firm nurtured under Innobiz DUT (Durban University of Technology). Zime Wezwe Creatives aims to combat corruption and enhance transparency in Real Estate transactions using blockchain technology. Despite being a second-year Bachelor in Information and Communications Technology student at the Durban University of Technology, Zime’s achievements are already astounding. Her accomplishments include Innobiz’s ‘Most Improved Business of the Year’ award in 2022, a spot as a panelist at the 2022 DUT Indaba, and recognition as a Mail and Guardian Top 200 pick for Tech and Innovation in Africa.
JOHAN VAN ROOYEN
Agripreneur
Johan van Rooyen is an accomplished Agripreneur known for his expertise in indoor vertical farming, recognized with awards such as the Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young Individual and the NWU Leopards Lair Business Award. He’s now focusing on setting up a significant indoor vertical farm in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, following his success in establishing the largest micro-green company in the North West Province while still a student at North West University.
FEZILE DHLAMINI
Founder, Green Scooter
Fezile Dhlamini, an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has garnered recognition as the award-winning founder of Green Scooter. His dedication to sustainability led to winning the 2022 Mail & Guardian “Climate Change Award” for his clean, renewable energy projects. Fezile’s innovative initiatives extend to Green Scooter’s electric transportation solutions, like the unique Zbee and Zbee Cargo vehicles, and Scooter Treats, an online food delivery marketplace designed to serve underserved communities. His diverse ventures, including Nokwe Digital, exhibit his visionary approach to redefining industries through creativity and sustainable practices.
MATLHOGONOLO AND MASEGO MPHAHLELE
Founders, Twin X Innovation
Born in 2002 in Hammanskraal, South Africa, Masego and Matlhogonolo Mphahlele, the founders of Twin X Innovation and creators of digital x-ray glasses, conceived their innovative idea during their final year of high school after witnessing their injured soccer teammate endure a lengthy wait for an x-ray scan. Their desire for prompt diagnostics led to the birth of their portable glasses concept. The twins beat out 125 competitors in South Africa, claiming victory in the 2021 Redbull Basement competition and later placing 3rd globally in the Istanbul competition in 2022. Recognised nationally and internationally in 2023, they engaged audiences at prestigious events like Forbes Leading Women Summit, earning a place among Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans and joining Brand South Africa as ‘Play Your Part’ ambassadors.
TEBOGO MASHIFANA
Head of the Department: Chemical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg
Tebogo Mashifana is an Associate Professor, Researcher, and Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Holding a Doctoral degree in Engineering, an MBA, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, and an AI for Industry certificate, she’s a registered Professional Engineering Technologist. Passionate about the dynamics of Higher Education, she focuses on circular economy solutions for waste benefaction, wastewater treatment, and resource recovery, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals. Committed to education, she co-founded Dr Tebogo Mashifana & Partners Foundation for community upliftment and mentors young girls in STEM.
LUNGILE MGINQI
Chief Information Officer, Sasol
Lungile Mginqi is an experienced executive with business and IT leadership expertise acquired over two decades which spans management consulting, financial services executive, entrepreneurship and now enterprise information technology leadership. Lungile holds an MSc in Engineering from the University of Cape Town and a certificate in Business Innovation from Stanford University. Lungile has enjoyed four major career achievements, fast progression to Partner at a Global Consulting firm, CEO at Diebold to avert a devastating labour unrest, COO at his own startup company and now Group CIO at Sasol in charge of both IT and Digital.
REFILWE LESUFI
Managing Director, Prana Consulting
Refilwe is the founder of Prana Consulting, a Level 1 BBBEE Civil Engineering firm established in 2011, offering services in planning, design, construction monitoring, and maintenance of civil infrastructure. Holding a Masters in Civil Engineering, she’s a registered professional Civil Engineer with 20 years of expertise in geotechnical engineering, road design, and materials. She’s led multidisciplinary projects, managed construction and production, and also directs Prana Water and Sanitation, focusing on decentralised wastewater treatment. A Council member at ECSA and vice president of South African Institution of Civil Engineering, she’s a prominent figure in her field.
DR JAGANMOY JODDER
Geologist, Wits University
Jaganmoy has a background in well-site geology and micropaleontology, having worked at ONGC for 4 years before pursuing a PhD at the University of Johannesburg. His doctoral research focused on the Archaean rock record of the Singhbhum Craton in India, and he’s currently engaged in a postdoctoral position at the University of the Witwatersrand, studying co-operation and group-level behavior recorded in early microfossils. His research interests encompass Archaean surface processes, geobiology, and understanding the evolution of early Earth and the emergence of life through various scientific techniques.
GOMOLEMO MOHAPI
Cloud Advocate, Microsoft
Gomolemo, a determined young South African, is driven to create a lasting impact through technology. After crafting programming tutorials to help struggling peers in university, he joined the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program, expanding into workshops, hackathons, and conference speaking. Falling for the Power Platform, he co-authored a Udacity course and currently, as a Microsoft Cloud Advocate, he focuses on Power Apps and Fusion Development, aiming to empower people from all industries with application-building skills.
LESEGO PITSOANE
Machine Learning Engineer,
PAISA Technology
Lesego Pitsoane’s journey from Soweto to a Master’s degree in Computer Science is marked by determination and technical prowess. With a background in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, their career evolved from Eskom to groundbreaking consultancy work, including a Transnet container tracking software integrating machine vision and geo-tracking. As a leader at PAISA Technology, Lesego achieved milestones in collision avoidance systems, autonomous driving, and collaborations with global automotive companies, showcasing an impactful career that prioritizes safety, innovation, and responsible machine learning engineering.
GAO MOTHOAGAE
Vice President: Social Impact, Sasol
Gao Mothoagae has extensive experience in both financial management and corporate affairs environments since starting her career as an auditor at EY in 2004, where she served her articles to become a chartered accountant. She also worked at Investec as an internal auditor and in 2007 joined Coca-Cola as a financial planner. Gao was the executive manager of Coca-Cola’s Mintirho Foundation, an agricultural fund that supports historically disadvantaged farmers. She currently leads Sasol’s approach to delivering social value in communities where the company operates as vice-president of corporate social investment at the Sasol Foundation.
GOMOLEMO MOHAPI
Cloud Advocate, Microsoft
Gomolemo, a determined young South African, is driven to create a lasting impact through technology. After crafting programming tutorials to help struggling peers in university, he joined the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program, expanding into workshops, hackathons, and conference speaking. Falling for the Power Platform, he co-authored a Udacity course and currently, as a Microsoft Cloud Advocate, he focuses on Power Apps and Fusion Development, aiming to empower people from all industries with application-building skills.
LESEGO PITSOANE
Machine Learning Engineer,
PAISA Technology
Lesego Pitsoane’s journey from Soweto to a Master’s degree in Computer Science is marked by determination and technical prowess. With a background in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, their career evolved from Eskom to groundbreaking consultancy work, including a Transnet container tracking software integrating machine vision and geo-tracking. As a leader at PAISA Technology, Lesego achieved milestones in collision avoidance systems, autonomous driving, and collaborations with global automotive companies, showcasing an impactful career that prioritizes safety, innovation, and responsible machine learning engineering.
GAO MOTHOAGAE
Vice President: Social Impact, Sasol
Gao Mothoagae has extensive experience in both financial management and corporate affairs environments since starting her career as an auditor at EY in 2004, where she served her articles to become a chartered accountant. She also worked at Investec as an internal auditor and in 2007 joined Coca-Cola as a financial planner. Gao was the executive manager of Coca-Cola’s Mintirho Foundation, an agricultural fund that supports historically disadvantaged farmers. She currently leads Sasol’s approach to delivering social value in communities where the company operates as vice-president of corporate social investment at the Sasol Foundation.