Lesetsa has had a varied career in investment banking that spans over 20 years predominantly in Stockbroking, Corporate Finance, Infrastructure Finance and Private Equity. His work experience broadly covers deal origination, deal structuring, investment analysis, corporate governance and business strategy.

He is currently the CEO of Unisa Enterprise (Pty) Ltd.

He previously served as a non-executive director on Boards of several SOEs such as Pelchem SOC Ltd, Pikitup SOC (Ltd) and Gateway Airports Authority Ltd.

He holds an MBA degree from Gordon Institute of Business Science (University of Pretoria), a BCom Hons degree (Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management) from University of Cape Town, a BCom Hons degree (Economics) and a BCom degree (Economics) from University of Limpopo.

Linda is an experienced accountant with over 17 years of experience in the audit and accountancy field. She is the Founder and Director of Nomatshawe Consulting Group. She is a Fellow of the Young African Leadership Initiative, affiliated to the Global Aspen Network. She is also a 2024 Global Women of Influence Awards Nominee.

Linda serves on several boards, councils, and committees that promote the advancement and empowerment of black accountants, entrepreneurs, and professionals in South Africa and beyond. She is the National President and of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA) and the Vice President for Professionals of the Black Business Council (BBC). She is also a global speaker and facilitator.

Lerato Nage – CEO & Delivery Director for KEA Capital (Pty) Ltd

ACMA I CGMA

Masters in Finance and Investments

Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) ® (CFI)

With over 13 years of executive management expertise, Lerato, CEO and Technical Director at KEA Capital, has a wealth of experience to offer. His previous role as Chairman of City Power (Pty) Ltd saw him working closely with executive management to redefine Johannesburg’s energy sector. Lerato’s tenure as CFO at NSFAS and SABC deepened his financial acumen, setting a strong foundation for his current leadership position.

Since the formation of KEA Capital, Lerato has led transactions in financial modelling, valuation of unlisted-medium sized entities, market analysis study, just to name a few. Recently he has led more than four (4) mergers and acquisition transactions for unlisted entities, in the engineering maintenance services, manufacturing, information technology and branding sector(s).

He has recently been appointed a Chairman of the Black Management Forum Investment Company (June 2024 to date) – an investment vehicle with listed equity and unlisted investments in financial services, education, construction, and property sector.

He was also appointed a member of the Advisory Board of Directors for Long Mark Equity Partners in February 2021 to July 2022; where he was responsible for advising the Founding Partners on the investment strategy for the Higher Education sector in South Africa.

Part of his experience include being appointed a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of Daybreak Farms (Pty) Ltd, by the Public Investment Corporation in February 2020 to August 2022.

He worked with fellow NEDs to develop a strategy to unlock embedded value in the business – splitting the business into separate divisions, with clear deliverables and targets.

Wesley Diphoko is a South African technology journalist and analyst. He has been operating at

the intersection of media and technology as Editor-In-Chief of Fast Company (South Africa)

magazine. He is a regular contributor to various publications and platforms, including Umhlobo

Wenene, Cape Times, Weekend Argus, The Star and Sunday Independent, where he provides expert

commentary on a wide range of technology-related topics, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain,

and the digital economy. He has been active across sectors where technology is applied. When he’s

not in the newsroom he’s contributing towards turning the township, Kayamandi in Stellenbosch,

where grew up into a smart-township.

A strategist of note, Justice tops 20 years cross-industry experience in the fields of Advanced Analytics and Information Technology Consulting. Prior to founding Analytics Hive, He served in credible global organizations including Accenture, Barclays Africa, Old Mutual, EY, and Microsoft. Since 2017, Justice led Analytics Hive to creating inroads and delivering high-impact solutions in 20+ blue-chip, multinational, and Fortune500 client companies including Standard Bank, Nedbank, MTN, American Tower Corporation, Anglo American, DSV Global Logistics, Sentech, and many more. He firmly believes that “If DIGITAL is the new economy, then DATA is the new currency”. He is a thought leader in Big Data Analytics and how it fuels Digital Transformation.

Wayne Stocks is the Managing Partner of the first venture capital fund in Africa focused on commercialising technology and intellectual property originating from universities. Wayne is also the co-founder of Stocks and Strauss, an investment holding company with investments in many sectors ranging from angel investment to mature growth-stage companies. Wayne has been a founder, on the founding team, and/or has invested in over 70 companies over the last 15 years.

Wayne serves on the board or as an advisor of several start-ups and has previously held executive roles with technology start-ups that have scaled across the continent. They include JUMO and Smile ID.

Wayne is a registered chartered accountant and has previously held various senior and executive finance and commercial positions in South Africa, the USA, Dubai, and the United Kingdom.

Nkosinathi Mabilane, National Student Representative Council President holds a diploma in law and is currently pursuing an LLB degree. He also serves as a council member of the University of South Africa.

Justice Dabampe is an innovative, dynamic and an aspiring young man who hails from Taung in the North West. He currently serves as a Member of the Provincial Legislature of North West as a public representative (PR) and is the University of South Africa (UNISA) Convocation President and UNISA Executive Council Member.

He became one of the country’s youngest public representative ever when he became a PR Councilor at age 19 which demonstrates excellent leadership qualities from a tender age. He has multiple experiences in governance and leadership having served as a councilor of Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality. He has previously served as a chairperson of the Lekwa Teemane Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) and an executive committee member (MMC): Chairperson of Finance, Corporate Services and Good Governance of the Lekwa-Teemane municipality.

As a strong believer of education, Justice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration and Communication Facilitation from the University of South Africa (UNISA), he was awarded a certificate in leadership in municipal governance by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and is currently pursuing a post-graduate diploma in Public Management at Wits university as he continues to bolster his incredible governing and leadership experience. He is also a member of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM).

Using his impeccable experience in governance and leadership, Justice has been a stanch advocate of promoting social justice. He strives to eliminate discrimination, oppression and systematic inequalities based on factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status or disability.

Throughout his tenure as MMC of finance, Justice has been a big advocate of corporate and government entities forming strategic partnerships and collaborations to create massive opportunities and economic prosperity. Particularly towards ensuring that all students in South Africa are funded to further their academics as an educated young people is an investment unto the future.

Veronica Mmakoma Motloutsi is a visionary leader and entrepreneur, serving as the founder and CEO of SmartDigital Solution, a company specializing in digital transformation and innovative ICT solutions. With a strong academic foundation, including an MBA and multiple technology and leadership qualifications, she has extensive experience across industries such as telecommunications, financial services, government, and oil & gas. Veronica is actively involved in driving digital transformation, serving in key roles like Deputy Chair of the ZADNA board and Non-Executive Director at EOH & SENTECH. She is also passionate about gender balance, mentoring women in tech, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions to the field.

Yoliswa Makhasi is an activist bureaucrat who started her career in the public sector in 1996. She currently serves as Director General of the Department of Public Service and Administration since March 2020 – her responsibilities includes ensuring effective and efficient administration of the Department amongst others. Previously, she was Head of Department for Community Safety in Gauteng Provincial Government from Jan 2016 to February 2020. She is an activist, qualified Coach and public policy expert who has grown up in different ranks in the public sector.

Her academic credentials include Masters in Philosophy (MPhil) in Coaching Management from University of Stellenbosch (2019); Masters Degree in Public Policy and Management from University of Manchester (UK) (2005); Bachelor of Arts Degree from Vista University (PE). She has continuously improved her skills and has obtained a number of certificates mainly from Wits University & Gordon Business School (GIBS) on project management, leadership, financial management, government communications etc. In 2021 she obtained a certificate on Innovation from INSEAD as well as Certificate on Public Policy Analysis from London School of Economics.

Yoliswa has worked in different roles within the public sector from operations, management and political/ strategic levels and has been exposed to different levels of decision-making, oversight, management and operations. She also volunteers in good cause initiatives aimed at developing young people, in particular young women. Her key capabilities and competencies include policy development and analysis; strategic leadership, planning, monitoring and evaluation; project management, people management, stakeholder relations, partnerships and constituency building; risk management; corporate governance and communications.

Gary Muizenheimer is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in management and finance, currently serving as Director of SunCom Operations and the General Manager of Factory 209 Pty Ltd at Stellenbosch University.

Passionate about the advancement and sustainability of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Gary is a dedicated advocate for leveraging commercial activities to support and enhance HEIs’ academic programs.

Mr Sujo Mulamattathil is a trained electronic engineer that started in the South African Air Force and then left to join the private sector, and focused on the Defence industry. Sujo fulfilled various roles within the Defence sector, last of which was the Technical Innovation Lead for the Defence Enterprise Information Systems (DEIS) Master Plan focusing on the successful delivery of complex integrated projects to modernize the administration within the Dept. of Defence. After that Sujo was appointed as an advisor to the Minister of Public Service and Administration dealing with Government-wide ICT strategy.

Currently, Sujo is the managing director at Threeframes, a wholly black military veteran-owned and managed boutique consulting firm focusing on the modernization journey. Threeframes comprises mostly of ex-military members with a deep focus on cybersecurity. Sujo has deep experience in analyzing complex environments, designing integrated systems focusing on the nexus of people, processes and technology to drive a modernization agenda to successful completion. Threeframes has a culture of innovation and is currently developing several technologies to serve the African market, some in conjunction with the CSIR, the largest research institute in Africa.

Mr Sujo Mulamattathil is passionate about developing products in Africa for Africa.

Mr Sakhile Mlauzi is the head of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit at the Gauteng Gambling Board, a regulator responsible to regulate gambling within the Gauteng province. He also works as a freelancer providing advise on professional ICT governance, and other ICT related aspects to private and public entities.

He is the deputy chairperson of the University of South Africa (UNISA) council, which the highest decision-making body of the university. He is the chairperson of the Information and Communication Technology Committee of Council and serves in the following committees of council: Executive Committee of Council, Audit, Enterprise and Risk Committee of Council, and Nominations and Governance Committee of Council. He has also been recently appointed as a member of the Vaal University of Technology Information, Communications and Technology Governance Committee.

He is also a member of the ICT SETA Forum, which comprises ICT SETA professionals who gather to discuss ICT related matters that cut across all facets of the twenty-one (21) SETAs. He previously served as an ICT advisor to both BankSETA and CATHSSETA, regarding the procurement of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and other ICT acquisitions.

As a student activist, Mr Mlauzi served in various capacities that included, amongst others, Chairperson of the Career Information Organisation (CIO), an institution of higher learning aimed at providing career guidance to learners in grades 10, 11 and 12. As a member of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Student Representative Council, he served as the Faculty Chairperson of the Applied Computer Sciences department.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from Milpark Business School, where the research topic of his dissertation was “Utilising Information and Communication Technology solutions to enhance Occupational Health and Safety in the South African mining sector.”

He also holds a National Diploma in IT from Vaal University of Technology; a professional certificate in Management Development Programme from the University of South Africa’s School of Business Leadership; and a certificate in ICT Management from the University of Cape Town.

He has also completed and attended the following additional ICT governance and technical

courses: Information Technology Infrastructure Library from Loyalist Certification Services; Microsoft Certified Professional; Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies (COBIT) from Torque IT; as well as Business Analyses from AstroTech.

Thomas Julies is a Managing Executive at Zimele Technologies, where he oversees the Western Cape and People Management Business Units. Zimele Technologies specializes in digital transformation solutions for both public and private sectors, underpinned by ERP-based transformations. Zimele’s expertise lies in and, is not limited to, enhancing revenue generation and protection, improving operational efficiencies, and enabling people development for their clients.

Thomas has extensive experience in large-scale business transformation projects across various industries, including higher education, retail, consumer goods, oil and gas, and the public sector. He guides clients through their digital transformation journeys, helping them define and execute strategies that leverage technology to drive business outcomes.

Thabo Mogaswa is a dedicated technology leader with over two decades of experience in higher education, specialising in Java and modern JavaScript frameworks. He began his career in 1996 at the University of South Africa (UNISA), where he played key roles in shaping the university’s digital strategy. Thabo served as Lead Developer in the UNISA ICT department, advancing critical systems and solutions, and later became a Technology Specialist in the Teaching & Learning Innovation Academy. His final role at UNISA was as an advisor to the Chief Information Officer and Vice-Principal: Information & Communication Technology, where he contributed to defining the blueprint for the Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) concept, which later evolved into the Comprehensive, Open and Distance e-Learning (CODeL) model.

Throughout his career, Thabo has worked with various institutions, including a tenure as Software Consultant at the University of Johannesburg and as Consulting CTO at the University of Limpopo, where he led technology strategy and innovation.

Currently, Thabo is a senior manager at Adapt IT Education with responsibilities including Head of Infrastructure and Cloud Services, leading the Private Education sector business, and key account management for several major public universities, including Tshwane University of Technology, University of Limpopo, University of Venda, Vaal University of Technology, and the University of Mpumalanga.