Dr Mlungisi Cele (Keynote address – formal opening)
Mlungisi Cele
Chief Executive Officer, National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)
Mlungisi Cele has studied, worked, and developed a passion and interest and networks in science, technology and innovation, and higher education policy studies. He holds a PhD in Higher Education Studies and an MPhil in Science and Technology Studies. Mlungisi worked as a researcher at the former University of Durban-Westville (now part of the University of KwaZulu Natal) and University of the Western Cape. His academic outputs include an edited book entitled innovation policy at the intersection: global and local experiences” (2020). He has also presented at local and international academic conferences.
Mlungisi is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), which is a statutory advisory body to the South African government on STI issues. He has made substantial contributions in the development of the 2023 New Strategic Management Model for STI; Decadal Plan for Science Technology, the 2030 National Foresight Exercise on STI; 2020 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the National System of Innovation (NSI) and reviews of the National Research and Development Strategy and Ten-Year Innovation Plan and the 1996 White Paper on Science and Technology.
He represents South Africa in various STI multilateral forums (such as G20 Scientific Advisors, OECD, BRICS).
Mlungisi is a member of the Ministerial High-Level Panel on Higher Education Science and Innovation and WITS Council and Senate.
Dr Zolani Dyosi (Keynote speaker)
Dr Zolani Dyosi
Director, National Research Foundation (NRF)
Dr Zolani Dyosi has been a Director at the National Research Foundation (NRF) for over 10 years. He has managed various industry and government research and innovation partnership programmes, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP); the Department of Science and Innovation’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems research programme; the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s Research and Technology Fund; the NRF-Sasol Collaborative Research Grants; and the South African National Space Agency’s New Earth Observation Frontiers research programme. His career in research and innovation support span over 15 years working with companies in telecommunications, energy, pharmaceuticals, mining and agriculture, among others. Dr Dyosi’s qualifications include a doctorate in Chemistry from the Tshwane University of Technology, a Master of Business Leadership from Unisa, a Certificate in Strategic Management Development Programme from Stellenbosch University, and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of Pretoria.
If you want to go fast, go alone if you want to go far, go together. (Martha Goedert)
Dr Isaiah Engelbrecht (Moderator - panel discussion)
Dr Isaiah Engelbrecht
Executive Director: Innovation City of Tshwane
Dr Isaiah Engelbrecht is an innovation specialist who partners with organisations to achieve with sustainable growth through building innovation capability. He believes that without innovation it is almost impossible for companies to survive and thrive in a turbulent business environment.
Throughout his illustrious career which spans over 25 years he has worked in various organisations in leadership positions. Before he founded The GROWTH™ System Pty Ltd he led innovation teams and established innovation departments in Eskom and at the IDC. After he founded The GROWTH™ System Pty Ltd he has partnered and consulted with many organisations including Transnet, Novatis, City of Tshwane, CPSI (Centre for Public service innovation), merSETA, ADvTECH, SANBS, and others. He has developed solutions and frameworks that systemically improve innovation capability, which in turn leads to value creation and ultimately sustainable (limitless) growth.
His organisation’s goal is to partner with a minimum of 5000 organisations on a journey of building innovation capability in order to bring large scale impact.
Funeka Khumalo (Panellist)
Funeka Khumalo
Executive Director, Kevali Chemicals
NACI Councillor and Board member of FoodBevSeta
Armed with a BSc in Chemistry from UCT, Funeka Khumalo went on to work at South African Breweries for almost 15 years where she qualified as a brewer, received Project Management Professional certification, and also completed an MBA at GIBS in 2010.
The next three years saw her working in the Nuclear Industry at the Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor while here she was seconded to Westinghouse in the UK where she spent time in its nuclear facility in Preston and received a DAP (Duly Qualified Person) qualification in Nuclear.
In 2014, after 18 years in the corporate world, she started Kevali Chemicals, a manufacturer and service provider of hygiene and sanitation chemicals, water treatment chemicals, chain lubrication and adhesives. Kevali has its manufacturing facility in Harrismith in the Free State and currently employs over 90 people countrywide.
Nontombi Maseko (Panellist)
Nontombi Maseko Director: Innovation and Technology Policy & Strategy dtic
Nontombi Maseko holds BSc Hons Degree in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry and a Master of Management degree in Innovation Studies. She is responsible for the development of policies & strategies as well as the introduction of new incentives & support instruments for technology development, commercialisation and innovation for the promotion of enterprise competitiveness and industrialisation. Her unit focuses on strengthening the conditions for the development of high-growth, technology-based enterprises and promoting collaborative efforts of knowledge generators and innovators. She previously worked at the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as a Deputy Director: Emerging Research Areas. She was responsible for was responsible for the implementation of the National Nanotechnology Strategy and development of the National Strategy for Photonics. Prior to joining the DST, she was part of the radio-analytical scientists’ team at the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) for more than six years.
She serves as an adjudicator/judge for a number of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship competitions including the Da Vinci’s TT100, the SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards, just to mention a few. She is also serves as a reviewer for the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development.
She previously served as a Board Member for the Africa Beyond Fourth Industrial Incubator (AB4IR) established by SEDA, the Central University of Technology Innovation Services (CUTis) Pty LTD, and a Chairperson of the committee of Finance, Planning, Sustainability Committee at CUTis.
Dr Mukhove Masutha (Panellist)
Dr Mukhove Masutha Deputy Chair, Centre for Emerging Researchers University of Johannesburg
Dr Mukovhe Masutha is a co-founder and Director of Research and Innovation at the Centre for Emerging Researchers (CER), a research centre dedicated to nurturing Africa’s timber of future scholars by cultivating a crop of emerging researchers, and facilitating inter-disciplinary research collaborations, policy dialogues, capacity building, training, and support for hundreds of affiliated emerging researchers across African Universities.
Dr Masutha has Lectured at Wits and UJ and is currently a Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg’s Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies (AMCHES). Dr Masutha has published several peer-reviewed book chapters and articles on international academic journals and has presented his work at various international conferences, including the King’s College London’s International Education Research Network. He is the co-author of the award-winning book: Before varsity – A Step by Step Guide to Accessing and Succeeding in South African Post-Schooling Opportunities
Dr Rebecca Maserumule (Panellist)
Dr Rebecca Maserumule
Chief Director Hydrogen and Energy National Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)
Dr Rebecca Maserumule is currently Chief Director: Hydrogen and Energy at the National Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in South Africa. Her responsibilities include the implementation of the National Energy Science Technology and Innovation Plan that includes DSI energy flagship programmes of Hydrogen South Africa, Energy Storage RDI Programme, Renewable Energy Hubs and Spokes and the Coal CO2 to X RDI Programme. The goal of the Energy Science Technology and Innovation Plan is to support South Africa towards a just and inclusive net zero carbon economic growth for societal wellbeing by 2050. The implementation of key policies in partnership with key stakeholders is expected to support a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution while contributing to a more diverse and sustainable energy mix by enabling the widespread commercialisation of battery, fuel cell, renewable and net zero carbon technologies based on publicly funded intellectual property rights. Rebecca holds a Doctorate in Mathematics with a focus on computational fluid dynamics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Her early working career was spent as a senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research focusing on using models to analyse the impact of climate change on water resources.
Sipho Nxasana (Programme Director – Awards)
Sipho Nxasana is a Senior Innovation Specialist at the City of Tshwane. He is a social scientist with an interest in community development and entrepreneurship. He has been a member of several youth and community development structures that promote social cohesion through performing arts and sports.
He is currently busy completing a Master of Technology and Innovation degree at the DaVinci Institute. He has completed the Advanced Course in Thought Leadership for Africa’s Renewal through the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, holds a Municipal Development Programme qualification from the University of Pretoria and a Bachelor of Administration and Political Studies degree from Vista University.
Nerissa Govender (Panellist)
Nerissa Govender
Portfolio Manager (Commercialisation)
Energy and Natural Resources Business Unit
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Nerissa is currently a Portfolio Manager (Commercialisation) within the Energy and Natural Resources Business Unit at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). She previously worked at international government trade agencies supporting the development of British and Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to determine routes to market in sub-Saharan Africa. She is currently actively involved in capacitating South African SMEs with the necessary skills to effectively run their businesses and capitalise on market opportunities. Nerissa has a background in both science and business, having studied applied chemistry and MBA. On the weekends, she enjoys going on adventures with her dog and cuddling up with a good book.
Thuthukile Mthethwa (Panellist)
Thuthukile Mthethwa
Portfolio Manager: Energy Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Thuthukile Mthethwa is a Portfolio Manager in the Energy Business Unit at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). She is responsible for deal origination spanning the full investment life cycle, and appraising, managing and ultimate commercialisation of technological innovations in the energy sector within the thematic areas of wind-, solar- and hydro-energy efficiency, energy storage, fuel cells, bioenergy and electric mobility. She serves on various committees including the SABS Committee on Petroleum Products, Biofuels and Lubricants and the uYilo Intergovernmental Steering Committee.
Ruse Moleshe (Panellist)
Ruse Moleshe
Managing Director
RUBK (Pty) Ltd.
Ruse Moleshe is an energy and infrastructure finance specialist with twenty-four (24) years of experience across Sub Saharan Africa. She is a founder and Managing Director of RUBK Pty Ltd, an energy and infrastructure consulting, advisory and accredited training company. Ruse has held leadership positions at the Department of Minerals and Energy, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Basil Read Limited (Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractor), Standard Bank, and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). As Head of Industrial Infrastructure at the IDC, she structured and financed transactions in renewable energy, water, information and telecommunications technology, and transport sectors.
She successfully completed work on the “regulatory review of the electricity market in South Africa – towards crowding in private sector investment” as a lead consultant with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Ruse is as a Non-Executive Director of Revego Africa Energy Limited (REVEGO), the first Sub-Saharan African YieldCo which targets the renewable energy sector. She is an Independent Investment Advisory Panel member of Cennergi (Pty) Ltd., a subsidiary of Exxaro Resources Limited and a renewable energy power producer.