Leadership

Our Leadership

At LoP, leadership is more than a structure — it’s a mission-driven alliance of visionaries, professionals, and change-makers who guide our efforts toward African advancement with integrity, strategy, and purpose.

The General Council (GC)

The GC is the first tier of the LoP, made up of the Advisory Board and Caucuses.

Advisory Board & Caucuses

Advisory Board

The advisory board comprises eleven non-executive members1 led by a chairperson and a vice chairperson, Governance & Compliance, Chief Organisers, Treasurer General, Strategy, Interim Secretary General and Vice Secretary General.

Adv Justice Mavundla

Chairperson

South Africa

Details

Dr Richard Chivaka

Co-Chairperson

South Africa

Details

Mrs Nelly Oloyede

V. Chairperson

South Africa

Details

Prof Maria Kanjere

V. Chairperson

South Africa

Details

Ms Millicent Xosi

Chief Organizer

South Africa

Details

Mr Dimakatso Lekola

Chief Organizer

South Africa

Details

Mrs Rethabile Tsilo

Compliance & Governance

Lesotho

Details

Dr Nelson Kekana

Compliance & Governance

South Africa

Details

Mrs Gugulethu Ihenacho

Treasurer General

South Africa

Details

Ms Nonkululeko Khumalo

Secretary General

South Africa

Details

Mrs Nelly Paulser

V. Secretary General

Zimbabwe

Details

Mr Vincent Zikhali

Strategic Team Member

South Africa

Details

Prof Strike Mbulawa

Strategic Team Member

Botswana

Details

Mr Moses Moreroa

Marketing & Communications

South Africa

Details

Caucuses

The caucuses are set up based on expertise and specialisation, like law, finance, marketing, science and others. It is made up of a maximum of fifteen members. They function like committees. They have a chairperson, two coordinators and twelve members (two responsible for each of the strategic portfolios within the caucus).

Mr Daniel Phatlane

Caucus Member

South Africa

Details

Dr Solomon Akinola

Caucus Member

Canada

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Details

Dr Mantsha Modiba

Caucus Member

South Africa

Details

Dr. Lionel Muchirahondo

Caucus Member

Zimbabwe

Details

Prof Osondu Oguike

Caucus Member

Nigeria

Details

Mr Quinton Zulu

Caucus Member

South Africa

Details

Dr Munienge Mbodila

Caucus Member

South Africa

Details

Mr Piet Sherende

Caucus Member

South Africa

Details

Ms Lebogang Saule

Caucus Member

South Africa

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Dr Zonke Zungu

Caucus Member

South Africa

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Prof Berrington Ntombela

Caucus Member

South Africa

Details

The Secretariat

This is the second tier of LoP is where the executive lies and is comprised of:

The President

Regional Deputy Presidents

Secretary General

Executive Directors

Membership

Support

Inspiration

Volunteer

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Advocate Justice Mavundla

Chairperson

Advocate Justice Mavundla is a dedicated legal professional and strategic thinker with a strong foundation in civil litigation, regulatory advisory, and transformative legal leadership.

He holds both a BCom Law and LLB from the University of South Africa and is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

He is a member of the South African Bar Association (SABA) and practices at M&L Chambers in Pretoria.
Justice’s career spans public law, administrative law, personal injury, and labour law, with specific experience in medical negligence, unlawful arrest, Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims, and alternative dispute resolution.

His work reflects a consistent commitment to justice, compliance, and access to legal services for underserved communities.

He is also the founder of MAV8 Capital, a legal-business advisory platform intersecting law, governance, and enterprise development. In addition, he serves as a founder and Chairperson of the League of Pros NPC, which promotes leadership development, policy literacy, and African excellence among professionals and emerging leaders.

Justice brings to every role a depth of analytical thinking, a passion for justice transformation, and a belief in collaborative leadership for impactful change.

Dr Richard Chivaka

Co-Chairperson

Dr. Richard Chivaka: Founder & Chief Executive Officer – Spark Health Africa; Board Chair – The Consortium of New Medical Schools in Sub-Saharan Africa

Dr. Richard Chivaka is a visionary leader in public healthcare transformation, leveraging over 17 years of multi-country experience to revolutionise health systems across Africa.

He is a recognised thought leader and connector, driving transformative change to achieve universal health coverage and self-reliance across Africa.

As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spark Health Africa, Dr. Chivaka has driven transformative leadership and mindset change to strengthen health systems in Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

His expertise bridges business, health, and government sectors, forging robust partnerships with African governments and major funding organizations to achieve sustainable health outcomes.

In academia, Dr. Chivaka is an Associate Professor of Business Strategy and Supply Chain Management at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. An author and researcher, he supervises PhD students specialising in transformative leadership, business strategy, value chain innovation, and operations management.

Dr. Chivaka’s thought leadership extends globally as a Member of the Expert Group for the World Health Organisation’s Implementation Guidance on Demand-led Scaling Innovation in the Public Sector and the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.

He is a member of the Scientific Program Committee for the International Conference on Public Health in Africa and currently chairs the Scientific Program Committee Track on Advancing Self-Reliance and Health Security.

Dr. Chivaka is also a key leader in early childhood development as a member of the Advisory Group for the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN), where he leads the Childcare Systems Mapping Working Group.

Dr. Chivaka has consulted for leading organisations such as Nestlé South Africa, Ernst and Young, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Uganda Investment Authority, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, and the German Foreign Office.

As the inaugural Research Scholar at Stanford Business School’s SEED Institute, he contributed to scaling African entrepreneurs’ businesses.

He holds a PhD in Accounting from the University of Cape Town, a Master of Science from the University of Manchester, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Zimbabwe University of Science and Technology.

Nelly Oloyede

Executive Leader | Strategic Transformation Expert | Change Management |Social Impact
Advocate

Nelly Oloyede is a highly accomplished executive and philanthropist with over 25 years of distinguished expertise in Quality Assurance, Strategic Planning & Execution, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Change Management, and organizational transformation. Her versatile leadership spans key management roles across both public and private sectors – including SABS, where she earned
recognition from Makana Municipality for enhancing auditing efficiency and quality standards.

She uniquely integrates technical excellence with a deep commitment to sustainable social impact.

Professional Leadership:

  • Vice Chair, League of Pros: Empowering African professionals globally through strategic innovation and cross-sector collaboration.
  • Regional Executive Committee Member, Progressive Professionals Forum (PPF):
    Contributing to policy development as part of South Africa’s leading developmental think tank.

Social Impact:
As Co-Founder of the Beyond Mark Foundation, she champions initiatives across critical sectors, including Education, Healthcare, Environmental Conservation, Youth Development, Disaster Relief, and Human Rights, driving measurable community advancement.

Education & Credentials:

  • Master’s in business administration (MBA) (Candidate), Regenesys Business School
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management, Regenesys Business School
  • Management Development Programme, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
  • Certified Professional Director, Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA)

Technical Expertise: 

    • National Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering (NMMU)
    • B.Tech in Quality Assurance & B.Tech in Production Management (NMMU)
    • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Thailand-Japan Technology Promotion Association)

Prof Maria Matshidiso Kanjere

V. Chairperson

Prof. Maria Matshidiso Kanjere is a respected academic at the University of Limpopo, with a strong focus on leadership, gender equality, knowledge management, and youth socioeconomic issues.

Her insights—especially in contexts shaped by COVID-19—are both timely and impactful.

Publications

 Prof Kanjere has published a number of research articles and the following books;

“Knowledge Management as a competitive edge in a global economy” with Xlibris Publishers in the United Kingdom. – ISBN: 9781477113646

“Transformational leadership as a necessary style for gender parity in South African organisations: A Perspective of Covid-19 work environment. United Kingdom, Xlibris Publishers. – ISBN: 978-1-6641-1-1539-2

Book Chapters:

Kanjere, MM. (2023). Gender Parity as a Way to address Poverty Challenges in South Africa. In: Mtapuri, O. (Eds). Poverty, Inequality, and Innovation in the Global South. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21841-5_1

Kanjere, MM. (2024). Leadership as a Contested Terrain in Local Government: A Pre-and Post Democratic View on Women Leadership. In Shai, K. and Tshishonga, N. (Eds).  Interfacing Traditional and Modern Leadership in South Africa towards a 3rd Decade of Democratic  Rule. South Africa. SAAPAM.

ISBN: 978-0-7961-9576-0 (Print) 978-0-7961-9577-7 (e-book)

Ms Millicent Xosi

Chief Organizers

Millicent Xosi is a seasoned Business Development Consultant with extensive experience in driving growth and profitability for businesses. With a strong background in strategic planning, market analysis, and partnership development, Millicent Xosi has helped numerous clients achieve their goals and expand their market presence.

Expertise

  • Business Strategy Development : Proven track record of creating and implementing effective business strategies that drive growth and increase revenue.
  • Market Analysis : Skilled in conducting market research and analysis to identify opportunities and challenges.
  • Partnership Development: Expertise in building and maintaining strong partnerships with clients, vendors, and stakeholders.

Achievements

  • Developed and executed business strategies that resulted in significant revenue growth for clients.
  • Conducted market analysis to identify new business opportunities and provided recommendations to clients.
  • Built and maintained strong relationships with clients, vendors, and stakeholders.
  • Univision- Certificate of Excellence-Top sales consultant 2018
    HP-Agile Project Management-certificate of completion
  • Directors Association- Certificate of Professional Designation

Personal Touch

Millicent Xosi is passionate about helping businesses grow and succeed. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new business trends and networking with professionals in the industry.

Mr. Dimakatso Koketso Lekola

Chief Organizers

Dimakatso Koketso Lekola is a dynamic LLB graduate from the University of Pretoria and an award-winning changemaker committed to advancing a just and inclusive legal landscape.

As the Founder of DK Lekola Global Education Institute, he leads transformative initiatives in education, youth empowerment, and sustainability across South Africa.

Dimakatso has held several impactful leadership roles, including Local President of JCI Tshwane, Ambassador Director at League of Pros NPO, and Entrepreneur Fellow with the Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers Fellowship.

His work focuses on legal advisory, stakeholder engagement, youth entrepreneurship, and social justice advocacy.

He has received notable recognitions such as the Sunday World Unsung Hero in Education, Ten Outstanding Young Persons by JCI, and the Raising Legend Award, among others.

With certifications in Compliance, Risk Management, and Occupational Health & Safety, and TEFL, he brings a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to leadership and development.

Dimakatso continues to champion youth-led innovation and community-driven impact, using law, education, and entrepreneurship as tools for lasting change both locally and globally.

RETHABILE TSILO LIPHALANA

Compliance & Governance

Versatile Chartered Accountant in possession finance management-level experience in various sectors and job roles. A leader, manager and mentor of a large finance team. A governance, risk and compliance champion with strong background on enterprise risk management, financial management and compliance. Strong interpersonal, people management skills and the ability to work in an inclusive way, a critical thinker and problem solver.

The diligent and passionate compliance and governance driver, serving at various boards of directors while reporting to the Board on a regular basis, with practical experience working on donor-funded projects, household resettlement and livelihood restoration and improvement projects and initiatives. Champion in Policy Development and Strategy formulation & execution.

An assurance services provider on compliance and effectiveness of institutional Frameworks and governance tools (Corporate Governance codes, Companies Act, Policies & procedures, Tax Acts and other national guidelines). I possess adequate knowledge of various enterprise resource planning systems.

Professional memberships

  • Professional Member of the Lesotho Institute of Accountants (Chartered Accounting Level) – ID 30930
  • Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIASA) – ID 77583366

Dr Nelson Doctor Kekana

V. Chairperson

Dr Nelson Doctor Kekana

Chartered Tax Adviser CTA(SA)™

B Juris, LLB(Hons), LLM Tax Law, H. Dip. International Taxation, LLD Tax Law.

 

Dr Kekana is a senior lecturer at North-West University, where he specialises in teaching tax law, and a part-time lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, where he presents the postgraduate diploma in international taxation and its digital twin.

 

Dr Kekana is also attached to other academic institutions such as UNISA and University of Pretoria as a supervisor for Masters and Doctoral candidates.

 

Despite his legal background as a former advocate, he managed to metamorphose into specialising in tax, joining the tax industry as a tax specialist.

 

He was admitted as a Master Tax Practitioner with the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT) in 2012, his contribution in the tax space later elevated him to highly international designation of Chartered Tax Adviser in 2022.

 

He is a member of the Corporate Tax Technical Work Group at the SAIT.

He is also a director at Nchelane Tax Advisory & Consulting. As a tax expert,

 

Dr Kekana specialises in individual tax, corporate tax, VAT returns, VAT reviews, estate planning, international tax, transfer pricing, and tax dispute resolutions.

Mrs Gugulethu Ihenacho

Treasurer General

Gugu has been trained as a management accountant.

She holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting from UNISA.

She did her articles at PKF Inc., now known as Mazars.

She has worked in various industries such as banking, social justice, defence and aeronautics.

She is currently part of the executive committee of the Financial Aid Practitioners of South Africa (FAPSA) and also sits on the Financial Aid & Bursaries committee for the University of Pretoria.

She is also involved in various Student Success Programs at the University, which aim to assist students from under-resourced schools to graduate in record time.

Ms Nonkululeko Khumalo

Secretary General

Ms Khumalo is a dedicated Lecturer and emerging researcher in the Department of Business Management at Nelson Mandela University who has presented at international conferences.

With academic expertise spanning Service Marketing, General and Strategic Management, and International Marketing Strategy, she brings a dynamic and multifaceted perspective to her teaching and research.

She has over 22 years of industry experience from the financial and public administration sectors. In recognition of her impactful teaching, Ms Khumalo has been honoured with the Emerging Teacher Award at both the faculty and institutional level. Her lectures are known for blending practical industry knowledge with academic depth, offering students a well-rounded and engaging learning experience.

In addition to her academic accomplishments, Ms Khumalo is also a published author. She has contributed towards a Logistics Management textbook and a motivational book.

She has been invited as a sought-after guest speaker. and has appeared on a Live DSTV show on channel INX and Zibonele FM, DSTV Channel 841.

Her work extends into policy development, where she is acknowledged as a language policy expert and a programme coordinator.

Her commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and student development underscores her growing influence in the field of Business Management.

Mrs Nelly Paulser

V. Secretary General

As a board-level marketing leader and a multiple award winner (entrepreneurship &branding), she brings 12 years of Entrepreneurship experience and over 5 years of experience in the Exhibition & Events Industry (Design, Print & Branding included). Her
expertise lies in graphic creativity and strategy alignment to support sustainable impact. She has coordinated event logistics for over 50 events with as many as 700+ attendees. She is dubbed the coffee-fueled “go-to” source for classy branding.

 

She holds a Degree in Accounting and several certifications in entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing a Certification in Exhibition Management with the International Association of Exhibition & Events (USA).

She is the Convenor of the Kidpreneur Conference Zimbabwe and a volunteer Mentor for several organizations around Africa supported by the US Department of State. She is a Judge for the prestigious Africa’s Business Heroes, Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa for entrepreneurs. She also serves on the Entrepreneurship & Business Strategy Council for the World Leaders Consortium (UK).

 

She brings not only brand awareness but also a deep commitment to smart connections, which enable long-term value creation.

Mr Vincent Zikhali

Strategic Team Members

Mr Vincent Zikhali (MBA) is the Advisory Board Member for the League of Pros. He is a seasoned C-Suits Business Executive with over 30 years of experience working both in the private sector and the public sector.

His area of specialisation spans across customs and global trade, global supply chain, cross-border logistics, import and export, strategic management and strategic operations management.

He is the Founder and Managing Director of Vin-Online Global Trade Advisory & La Vince Estate. He served as a Director and Board Member at The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF).

He is the Chairperson of the Integrated Logistics Network
Transformation Forum (ILNTF), and an Executive Committee Member at the Institute of Customs and Freight Forwarding (ICFF).

Mr Zikhali has worked for the South African Revenue Services: Department of Customs and Excise, DHL Global Forwarding, Barloworld Logistics and Maersk.

He has held senior management positions for many years.

He has served as a Committee Member at TETA Forwarding and Clearing Chamber and at the National Department of Transport as the BBBEE Charter Council Member and a lead Member for the Forwarding and Clearing Subsector.

He holds an MBA, a Diploma in Export Management, an Executive Diploma in Supply Chain and Transportation Management, a Diploma in Supply Chain Management, a Diploma in Transportation Management and holds various industry and management certificates.

Prof Strike Mbulawa

Strategic Team Members

He is a seasoned research economist with extensive experience in both industry and academia. From 2003 to 2008, he worked in the private and public sectors before transitioning to academia in 2009, where he has remained active to date. He is currently a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Botswana. Previously, he served as a professor and Manager for Library, Teaching, and Research at Botho University.

He holds a Doctorate in Economics (University of Botswana), an MSc in Finance and Investment (NUST), a BSc (Hons) in Economics (University of Zimbabwe), and additional qualifications in Management Accounting (CIMA, UK) and Higher Education (PGDip,
Botho University. He is a certified assessor and moderator (BQA) and a Certified Associate in Digital Teaching and Learning.

His research focuses on Accounting, Finance, and Economics, where he also offers corporate training. He has published over 35 peer-reviewed articles, 7 book chapters and has been affiliated with the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) since 2010,
receiving training in proposal writing, data analysis, and policy brief development. His analytical strengths include time series, panel data, parametric and non-parametric methods, with advanced skills in STATA, SPSS, EViews, and Excel modelling.

Mr Moses Moreroa

Marketing & Communications

Mr Moses Moreroa is a seasoned communication practitioner with over a decade of experience, assigned a professional designation as Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (CPRP).

 

He currently serves as Chairman of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) in Limpopo, Manager in the Office of the Executive Director: Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo (UL), and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Radio Turf.

 

His expertise spans marketing and communication strategy, brand and people management, media relations, change management, and business diversity development.

 

He is also a respected publisher, author, and language editor. Moreroa holds a BA in Media Studies, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication from the University of Limpopo. He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (University of South Wales, UK), an MBA (University of East London, UK), and a Master of Communication Science (UNISA). He has further training in journalism, public-private partnerships, public sector strategy, and performance management.

 

 

An accomplished author, his works include Success Comes in Seven Pieces and The Weight We Carry.

Mr Daniel Phatlane

Caucus Member

Mr Phatlane is a highly motivated and results-driven Stakeholder Relations professional with more than 15 years of experience in Public Affairs, Communications, Compliance, and Risk Management.

Over the course of his career, which spans both corporate and regulatory environments, he has developed a reputation for strategic leadership, adaptability, and the ability to influence outcomes at the highest levels. Recently, he added a legal dimension to his expertise, further strengthening an already diverse professional profile.

Skilled in engaging across organizational hierarchies, Mr Phatlane has worked comfortably with employees at shop-floor level, senior executives, and Board members alike. He has represented his company before the National Development Bank and built a proven track record of influencing governmental and regulatory decisions. In addition, he has extensive experience working with local municipalities to safeguard business continuity and drive collaborative outcomes.

In his current role at Transnet, Mr Phatlane leads the Stakeholder Relations function at Group level. This responsibility includes driving strategic stakeholder engagement, overseeing compliance frameworks, managing contracts, and leading the organisation’s Language Services unit to advance diversity and inclusivity. He also spearheads the TIMS stream of Stakeholder Engagement, reinforcing Transnet’s commitment to accountability and effective communication.

A consistent learner and committed leader, Mr Phatlane thrives in complex environments that demand both independence and collaboration. With every responsibility undertaken, he has sought to expand his skills, share his knowledge, and create value — not only for the organisation but also for the communities it serves.

Mr Phatlane holds the following qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree (BA) 

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Dr Solomon Oluwole Akinola

Caucus Member

Dr Solomon Oluwole Akinola holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, a master’s degree in information science, and a PhD in Electrical Electronics Engineering (Institute for Intelligent Systems).

He has extensive research experience in human language technology, time series analysis of surveillance data in the power and health sectors.

Solomon, primary focus lies in leveraging the latest machine learning techniques to optimise time series forecasting and classification strategies, and human robot communication techniques in African languages.

He is a member of the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) and the Institute of Information Technology Professionals (IITPSA).

He actively contributes as a researcher within a higher institution research team.
In the current fourth industrial revolution (4IR), leveraging large datasets to forecast the future facilitates effective decision-making. 

As a seasoned professional, Solomon taught courses in human language technology, artificial intelligence (A.I.), supervised student projects and published them in seasoned journals.

In recognition of his engagement with students in teaching and learning, he was awarded best lecturer in 2017. Apart from these activities, he also mentors students and young professionals in the A.I. space.

Dr Mantsha Modiba

Caucus Member

Dr Mantsha Modiba is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Languages, Communication and Media Studies at the University of Limpopo, where she specialises in Linguistics, Translation and Interpreting.

She serves on several strategic bodies, including the National Language Body and the National Lexicography Unit Board of Directors of PanSALB, representing the Vice-Chancellor, as well as the University’s Institutional Forum and the Board of Directors of Radio Turf.  

She is also a Technical Advisor for Sepedl ITE under PRIMTeD. A highly regarded translator, editor, and proofreader, Dr Modlba holds a BA in Arts Languages, a BA Honours, a Master of Arts in African Languages, and a PhD in Sesotho sa Leboa.

Her additional qualifications include a National Diploma in Education Management, a National Diploma in Safety Management, and SAMTRAC certification.

She also served as a South African Police Reservist from 1999 to 2008. Dr Modiba is passionate about language development and has contributed extensively to developing academic materials in Sesotho sa Leboa for courses at the University of Limpopo and partner institutions. advancing multilingualism and access to higher education.

Dr Lionel Muchirahondo

Caucus Member

Dr. Lionel Muchirahondo is a management lecturer, marketing strategist, and social impact leader with more than two decades of experience across fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), manufacturing, and financial services. He holds a PhD in Development and Management from North-West University and an MBA from MANCOSA, complemented by additional qualifications with a strong focus on marketing. His expertise lies in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and strategic marketing.

 

He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Marketing Management South Africa (IMM), a Member of the Southern Africa Institute for Management Scientists (SAIMS), and a founding member of the Pan African Renaissance. His career includes senior leadership roles where he spearheaded transformative marketing and CSR initiatives, most recently as Head of Marketing and Social Responsibility at a Johannesburg-based financial institution. In this capacity, he advanced brand trust and market growth through innovative campaigns and impactful community development programmes.

 

Beyond academia and corporate engagements, Dr. Muchirahondo serves as the Founder and Chairperson of the Anthu Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to sustainable socio-economic development and fostering active citizenship. Under his leadership, the foundation has received awards and commendations for its contributions to community upliftment.

Prof Osondu Oguike

Caucus Member

Associate Professor Osondu Everestus Oguike is a native of Orji in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State. Nigeria.

He attended the following schools, Orji Town Primary School, Orji Uratta, Owerri; Holy Ghost College, Owerri; University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He obtained the following certificates, degrees and diploma, First School Leaving Certificate (1980), WAEC/GCE O’ Level (1985), B.Sc (Hons.) Mathematics and Statistics (1990), PGD Information Technology and M.Sc Information Technology (1991) and Ph.D (Mathematical Modelling/Computational Mathematics) in January 2018. While in school, and at work place, he received the following academic awards/prizes, University of Lagos scholarship for the best students in 1987/88, best graduating student, Department of Mathematics, University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1988/89, ODA Shared Scholarship Scheme, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London in 1990/91, Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scholarship, University of Yaounde, Cameroon, March 2022, Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, 2023/2024.

Though he has worked in the industry in Nigeria as Computer Programmer, he started his academic career at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as Lecturer II, in 1999. He has continued there, till date as an Associate Professor in Computer Science. His research outputs have been published in impact factor, international journals and conference proceedings. He has served and currently serving as editorial board member in many international journals.

He has served and is currently serving as a technical committee member in many international conferences, in different parts of the world. He has authored many books and book chapters.

He has served as Head of the Computer Science Department at Veritas University Abuja, and is currently the Head of the Department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was part of the team that developed different course materials for the M.Sc (Artificial Intelligence), African Center of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), National Open University of Nigeria. His research interests are in the following area: Data Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. 

Mr Quinton Zulu

Caucus Member

Quinton Qhawe Zulu is an accomplished professional whose career reflects a diverse engagement across the legal, construction, and marketing sectors. His work has encompassed project liaison, community engagement, legal administration, and research, underpinned by a consistent record of analytical precision and problem-solving capacity.

He has contributed to large-scale infrastructure projects as a Project Liaison Officer at the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and as a Community Liaison Officer at Wilson Bayly Holmes (WBHO) Construction. His earlier professional journey includes serving as Personal Assistant to the Director at Erasmus Incorporated, as well as leadership and research roles in hospitality marketing and at the University of South Africa.

Academically, he holds an LLB degree and a National Diploma in Marketing from the University of South Africa (UNISA). These are further supported by certifications in Advanced Project Management (Imsimbi Training), Entrepreneurial Skills (Phakamisa Izinga), Lexis Convey Bonds (Lexis Nexis), and End-User Computing. Collectively, these qualifications position him to navigate the interface between law, business, and project execution with authority and competence.

Quinton is recognised for his ability to synthesise complex information, provide structured solutions, and manage projects to exacting standards. He brings a commitment to professional integrity, effective communication, and stakeholder collaboration to every role he undertakes.

Dr Munienge Mbodila

Caucus Member

Dr Munienge Mbodila is a distinguished academic, researcher, and leader in institutional research, currently serving on the SAAIR Executive Committee (Exco) while overseeing the Institutional Research (IR) Institute. He holds a BSc and Honours in Computer Science (University of Fort Hare, 2006 & 2008), an MSc in Computer Science & Information Systems (North-West University, 2014), a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching & Learning (Stellenbosch University), and a PhD in Computer Science (North-West University).

 

With a career spanning over 17 years, Dr. Mbodila has held key roles, including Network Technician (Fort Hare), Lecturer (University of Venda), and Lecturer & Data Analytics Manager (Walter Sisulu University). Currently, he serves as a Senior Lecturer (Networks & IT Support) and Manager: Student Tracking & Institutional Research at Walter Sisulu University, where he leverages data analytics to enhance student success and institutional decision-making.

 

A prolific scholar, he has published over 60 articles and presented at numerous national and international conferences. His research focuses on Software-Defined Networking (SDN), AI, ICT in education, and institutional analytics, driving innovations in student engagement, learning analytics, and emerging technologies. His work empowers the university to track student progress, identify trends, and implement data-driven interventions for Institutional sustainability and academic excellence.

Mr Piet Sherende

Caucus Member

Mr Piet Sherende holds a Bachelor of Business Administration qualification. He leads high-performing teams and drives regional sales strategies that boost market share, profitability, and brand visibility.

 

 

He is passionate about building strong client relationships, analysing market trends, and using data to inform decision-making and leverage his strategic mindset, leadership capabilities, and extensive industry knowledge to contribute to business growth and operational excellence.

Ms Lebogang Saule

Caucus Member

Ms. Lebogang Saule is a Marketing lecturer at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and a member of the Marketing Association of South Africa (MASA).

 

She holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of South Africa and is a PhD candidate in Management studies, with a focus on Marketing.

 

Ms Saule brings over 12 years of combined experience in corporate marketing and academia. Her research interests include digital marketing, consumer behaviour, marketing communication and the informal economy.

 

She is particularly interested in advancing understanding of social support within the informal economy. Ms Saule is a book contributor; she is also involved in postgraduate supervision and acts as a consultant for industry.

Dr Zonke Zungu

Caucus Member

Dr Zonke Zungu is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Industrial/Organisational Psychologist.

 

She currently works as Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, Section of Organisational Psychology. Her areas of expertise include training and development, coaching, change management and psychological assessment.

 

She integrates empirical humanistic and systems psychological approaches to bring about sustainable transformation in individuals, teams and organisations.

 

Zonke holds a PhD in Applied Psychology from the University of Nottingham, where she focused on enhancing Emotional Intelligence and fostering a growth mindset to enable prosocial behaviours.

Prof Berrington Ntombela

Caucus Member

Prof  Berrington Ntombela   obtained his education from the University of Zululand, South Africa.

 

In 2009 he earned his PhD in English from the University of Zululand. He has worked for various institutions of higher learning as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Head of Department in Higher College of Technology (Muscat, Oman), Caledonian College of Engineering (Oman), and SABIS University of Erbil (Kurdistan), respectively.

 

His immediate past employment was with the University of Zululand as Head of the Department of English.

 

He is currently an Associate Professor in English Studies at the University of Limpopo, South Africa.

He works with a number of universities in South Africa, promoting multilingualism and multilingual pedagogies.

 

His recent co-edited book entitled “Implementing and Promoting Multilingualism: Speaking through different tongues in South African Higher Education Spaces” was published in 2024 by UKZN Press.

 

His second co-edited book entitled “African worldview, methods and epistemologies in research and teaching: Perspectives from African languages” is due for publication in 2026.