Prof. Blade Nzimande
Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande
Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel "Blade" Nzimande was appointed as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation from 3 July 2024. He was previously Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology from 30…
View profileDr Bonginkosi Emmanuel "Blade" Nzimande was appointed as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation from 3 July 2024. He was previously Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology from 30 May 2019 to 19 June 2024. He was also Minister of Transport from 27 February 2018 to 25 May 2019. From 26 May 2014 until 17 October 2017 he was the Minister of Higher Education and Training in the Republic of South Africa . He is a general secretary of the South African Communist Party; chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education; deputy chair of the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party; and chairperson of the Financial Sector Campaign Coalition. Dr Nzimande holds a Doctorate in Philosophy specialising in Sociology from the University of Natal. Dr Nzimande has has lectured at the University of Zululand in 1985, and was a lecturer in Industrial Psychology at the University of Natal in 1987. He was a Council member at the University of South Africa; a member of the National Deployment Committee of the ANC; chairperson of the board of trustees at the Centre for Educational Policy Development; a council member at the University of Transkei; a council member at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and chairperson of the African National Congress Parliamentary Study Group on Education.
Dr Nzimande has published: Unsocial Science Indicator SA Vol. 11, No. 2; Schooling in the context of violence in SA: the challenges of change, edited by V Maphai, published by Harare SAPES Books; Schooling in the context of violence, Durban: Education Policy Unit; Civil Society and the role of the National Education Coordination Committee (NECC), Durban: Education Policy Unit; Civics are the National Democratic Revolution, Mayibuye No. 5; Political violence and the struggle for control in Pietermaritzburg, Journal of Southern African Studies Vol. 15. No. 3; and Civics and Civil Society: a reply to M Mayekiso, work in progress co-author with M. Sikhosana. Dr Nzimande has also written a book titled Children of wars: the impact of violence on schooling in Natal Durban: Education Policy Unit.
Prof Xoliswa Mtose (opens in a new tab)
Board Chairperson | Human Sciences Research Council
Prof Xoliswa Mtose is a well- known international scholar who is a trained educator, higher education specialist, as well as a psychologist. She is the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of…
View profileProf Xoliswa Mtose is a well- known international scholar who is a trained educator, higher education specialist, as well as a psychologist. She is the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Zululand. Her academic career began at Rhodes University as a lecturer and Coordinator of Distance and Continuing Education. She then served at the University of Fort Hare as senior lecturer, Deputy Director and Director of a School of Postgraduate Studies, School of Initial Teacher Education and Dean of the Faculty of Education. She was previously the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the University of Zululand. As Vice- Chancellor she has taken gargantuan strides in advancing teaching and learning, research and innovation, African scholarship, community engagement and the entire fabric of the university towards academic distinction. Mtose’s influence has been far reaching, from local impact to having an effect on the national as well as on the international stage. Her research interest is on race, everyday racism in contemporary South Africa as well as construction of black identities in post- apartheid South Africa.
Mtose is a full professor in Psychology. She also holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Master of Philosophy in Higher Education from the University of Stellenbosch, a Bachelor of Arts Honours (African Languages) from Rhodes University, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Fort Hare, and a Higher Diploma in Education (Postgraduate) Primary from the University of Cape Town. She was honoured to be endowed with a Harvard/ South African Scholarship that enabled her to study at Harvard on further studies as part of her doctoral degree work.
Prof Sarah Mosoetsa (opens in a new tab)
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | Human Sciences Research Council
Prof. Sarah Mosoetsa is the Chief Executive Officer of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), South Africa’s statutory research agency dedicated to the social sciences and humanities. She assumed the…
View profileProf. Sarah Mosoetsa is the Chief Executive Officer of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), South Africa’s statutory research agency dedicated to the social sciences and humanities. She assumed the position in February 2023, following almost a decade as Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS). She was instrumental in establishing the NIHSS in 2013 and subsequently led the Institute from its inception, shaping its institutional development and contribution to the humanities and social sciences in South Africa.
Prof. Mosoetsa holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand (2005). Her scholarship focuses on labour, livelihoods, inequality and social policy, with a particular interest in the changing nature of work and its implications for households and communities. Her publications include Eating from One Pot: The Dynamics of Survival in Poor South African Households, as well as co-edited volumes and journal collections on labour, precarious work, poverty and inequality.
Prof. Mosoetsa has extensive experience in research leadership, higher education, public policy and institutional governance. She has served on numerous national boards, councils and advisory structures, including university councils and bodies concerned with human resource development, research, innovation and social and economic development.
Assoc. Prof Mamello Thinyane
School of Computer Science and Information Technology | College of Engineering and Information Technology, Adelaide University, Australia
Mamello Thinyane is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science and Information Technology at Adelaide University (Tirkangkaku). An accomplished computer science academic, interdisciplinary researcher, and information technology professional, Mamello's…
View profileMamello Thinyane is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science and Information Technology at Adelaide University (Tirkangkaku). An accomplished computer science academic, interdisciplinary researcher, and information technology professional, Mamello's research interests span human-centric cybersecurity, societal cyber resilience, critical data studies, digital technologies for sustainable development, and collective intelligence.
For more than two decades, he has collaborated with inter-governmental organizations, governments, industry leaders, universities, and civil‑society organizations across Africa, Asia, and Australia to drive sustainable, impactful, and responsible digital transformation initiatives. He previously served as the Senior Research Advisor and Principal Research Fellow within the United Nations and as an Associate Professor and the Director of the Telkom Centre of Excellence in ICT and Development at the University of Fort Hare.
Mamello is passionate about the role of scientific research and technology innovation to advance sustainable good life for all.
Dr Tsosheletso Chidi
Lecturer: Department of African Languages, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Dr Tsosheletso Chidi is a researcher, multilingual writer, and poet whose work explores the intersection of African languages, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, with a focus on linguistic inclusion and…
View profileDr Tsosheletso Chidi is a researcher, multilingual writer, and poet whose work explores the intersection of African languages, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, with a focus on linguistic inclusion and digital innovation. She holds a PhD in African Languages from the University of Pretoria and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Rhodes University. She is an Andrew Mellon Scholar (2019–2024), an Elinor Ostrom Fellow (2023–2024), and a Chevening Clore Cultural Leadership alumna (2024–2026). In 2024, she curated the Time of the Writer Festival at the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Prof Ayobami Ojebode
Director & Principal Consultant, TRAC Africa - Thousand Hills Research and Action Collective, Rwanda
Ayobami Ojebode, retired Professor of Applied Communication at the University of Ibadan, is a research, training, and evaluation expert. With 26 years’ experience, he supervised 12 doctoral researchers and trained…
View profileAyobami Ojebode, retired Professor of Applied Communication at the University of Ibadan, is a research, training, and evaluation expert. With 26 years’ experience, he supervised 12 doctoral researchers and trained over 550 scholars in multimethod, policy-engaged research. As Mastercard Foundation’s Director of Knowledge Systems, he initiated and managed large investments strengthening Africa’s knowledge ecosystem, and led learning strategies, including the seven-country African Youth Aspiration study. His work emphasizes evidence-to-policy translation and digital innovation for sustainable development, empowering African researchers and institutions to shape globally relevant, locally grounded solutions. He now heads TRAC Africa, advancing evidence and capacity-building for organisations tackling Africa’s pressing development challenges.
BRICS Expert Panel: Digital Futures, Global South Pathways
Dr. Carla Osthoff
Senior Technologist | National Laboratory of Scientific Computing
Holding an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Systems Engineering and Computer Science from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Dr. Osthoff has extensive experience in High-Performance Computing (HPC). She…
View profileHolding an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Systems Engineering and Computer Science from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Dr. Osthoff has extensive experience in High-Performance Computing (HPC). She is currently a Senior Technologist at the National Laboratory of Scientific Computing (LNCC) and a professor in the LNCC's Multidisciplinary Graduate Program. She coordinates the LNCC's National Center for High-Performance Processing (CENAPAD) and serves on the Technical-Scientific Committee for the Santos Dumont Supercomputer, the most powerful supercomputer in Latin America and the Caribbean, dedicated to the scientific community. She heads LNCC's High-Performance Processing Sector and has coordinated the Santos Dumont HPC Summer School since 2015.
She is a member of the Regional High-Performance Computing Commission for the Southeast Region (CRAD-SE) and the Executive Council of the Advanced Computing System of Latin America and the Caribbean (SCALAC). Currently, she serves as a member of the Brazilian delegation to the BRICS Working Group on High Performance Computing and Information and Communication Technologies (BRICS WG on HPC-ICT).
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Aziz (opens in a new tab)
Professor of Geo-Informatics (GIS) & GeoAI | Fayoum University, Egypt
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Aziz is a Full Professor of Geo-Informatics (GIS) & GeoAI at Fayoum University, Egypt. He also served as the former Dean of the Faculty of Social and…
View profileProf. Dr. Mohamed Aziz is a Full Professor of Geo-Informatics (GIS) & GeoAI at Fayoum University, Egypt. He also served as the former Dean of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at Galala University, Egypt. Prof. Aziz earned his Ph.D. in Cartography from Vienna University, Austria, in 1987.
With more than four decades of academic experience across Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Austria, Prof. Aziz has held Visiting Professor positions at nine universities in the UK, USA, Canada, and Germany. He has been instrumental in establishing pioneering GIS programs and numerous GIS laboratories, and he has worked as a GIS consultant for governments and UN agencies.
Prof. Aziz has received multiple awards for research excellence and holds an Egyptian patent for a smart census solution. He is the author of over 60 scientific papers and 23 books, including recent publications in GeoAI, remote sensing, and geomatics. He is fluent in Arabic, German, and English, and he contributes his expertise to several scientific promotion committees and journal peer-review panels.
His research interests include urban and environmental planning, digital cartography, demographic modeling, and the integration of AI with geospatial technologies.
Dr. Ekaterina Vorontsova
Head of the International Cooperation Department | Nauka Publishers (Russian Academy of Sciences)
Education: 2024 – PhD. Thesis title: "Transformation of the Educational Process within Internationalization at Australian and Japanese Universities" 2004 – 2009 – Moscow Pedagogical State University, Department of Geography (specialization:…
View profileEducation:
- 2024 – PhD. Thesis title: "Transformation of the Educational Process within Internationalization at Australian and Japanese Universities"
- 2004 – 2009 – Moscow Pedagogical State University, Department of Geography (specialization: Geography, English & French)
- 2013 – Internship, Vesuvian International Institute of Archaeology and Humanities, Castellammare di Stabia, Italy (specialization: Pedagogical Comparative Studies)
- 2019 – 2022 – Postgraduate studies, Institute for Strategy of Education Development, Russian Academy of Education
- 2022 – Professional retraining, Moscow Pedagogical State University, (qualification: education manager)
Work Experience:
- Since 2026 – Head of the International Cooperation Department, Nauka Publishers
- 2024 – 2026 – Head of the International Cooperation Department, Russian Research Institute of Economics, Politics and Law in Science and Technology (RIEPP)
- 2023 – 2024 – Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Pedagogical Comparative Studies, Institute for Strategy of Education Development
- 2022 – 2023 – Associate Professor, State University of Justice, Moscow City University
- 2021 – 2022 – Deputy Director for Curriculum, School No. 183, Moscow
- 2009 – 2021 – Foreign Language Teacher (English, French), School No. 183, Moscow
- 2004 – 2009 – Research Assistant, Laboratory of Foreign Languages, Institute of Content and Teaching Methods, Russian Academy of Education
Prof. Petrus Letaba
Associate Professor | University of Pretoria
Prof. Petrus Letaba is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering and Technology Management at the University of Pretoria, where he specialises in technology roadmapping, strategic foresight, and technology management.…
View profileProf. Petrus Letaba is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering and Technology Management at the University of Pretoria, where he specialises in technology roadmapping, strategic foresight, and technology management. With a PhD in Technology Management and an MBA, his research focuses on navigating the complex dynamics of innovation and technology planning in developing countries.
He brings over 23 years of experience across academia, government, and industry, and serves as the lead writer for the annual South African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Report. As an expert in futures studies, Prof. Letaba's work bridges rigorous academic research with practical policy and industry application
Digital Publics and Participatory Governance in South Africa
Kureish Isaacs
Director | Ward Governance and Community Participation, City of Johannesburg
Kureish Isaacs is Director: Public Participation and Outreach at the City of Johannesburg, where he oversees councillor support, civic education, community-based planning and public engagement within the City’s Integrated Development…
View profileKureish Isaacs is Director: Public Participation and Outreach at the City of Johannesburg, where he oversees councillor support, civic education, community-based planning and public engagement within the City’s Integrated Development Planning (IDP) processes. Working at the intersection of public participation, digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), he has spent the past six years driving the digitisation of community engagement through online platforms that broaden participation and improve the use of citizen input.
More recently, he has pioneered the application of AI to analyse public submissions, support councillors and strengthen municipal decision-making. His work combines technology, education and community development to advance citizen-centred local governance.
Sanah Madikwe-Twala
Integrated Development Planning Officer | Mogale City Local Municipality
Sanah Madikwe-Twala is an Integrated Development Planning Officer at Mogale City Local Municipality and an e-participation champion committed to connecting community voices with digital opportunity. With more than 17 years…
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Sanah Madikwe-Twala is an Integrated Development Planning Officer at Mogale City Local Municipality and an e-participation champion committed to connecting community voices with digital opportunity. With more than 17 years of municipal experience, she has worked across integrated development planning, monitoring and evaluation, performance management, and stakeholder engagement. She holds a Diploma in Public Administration and Management from UNISA and is pursuing studies in Community Development and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg. Using Asset-Based Community Development approaches, she champions inclusive, community-centred participation and co-creates digital futures in which every voice can be heard and no community is left offline.
Dr. Khululekani Ntakana
Senior Lecturer of Sustainable Property Development and Digitisation | University of Johannesburg
Dr. Khululekani Ntakana is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, specialising in inclusive and sustainable built environments, human settlements, property development and construction economics. His research explores equitable…
View profileDr. Khululekani Ntakana is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, specialising in inclusive and sustainable built environments, human settlements, property development and construction economics. His research explores equitable urban development and digital innovations, including BIM, digital twins and three-dimensional concrete printing, to enhance project delivery and productivity.
He holds a PhD in Construction Management and an MSc in Property Economics and Valuation, complemented by professional experience as a Quantity Surveyor. Through UJ’s SMaCT Research Centre, his interdisciplinary work advances sustainability, technological innovation and digitally enabled human settlements, aligned particularly with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 11.
Michael Chauke
Specialist: Inclusive Governance and Councillor Welfare | SALGA
Michael Chauke is a governance specialist at SALGA, leading initiatives in democratic accountability, ethical leadership, anti-corruption, collaborative governance and councillor capacity-building. Drawing on extensive experience in public administration and development…
View profileMichael Chauke is a governance specialist at SALGA, leading initiatives in democratic accountability, ethical leadership, anti-corruption, collaborative governance and councillor capacity-building. Drawing on extensive experience in public administration and development policy, he supports municipalities across South Africa to strengthen governance systems and improve service delivery. He holds master’s degrees from the Universities of Pretoria and Cape Town and is pursuing doctoral research on financial governance, misconduct and consequence management in local government, alongside postgraduate studies in public law.
His career spans senior roles in Ekurhuleni, SALGA and Gauteng CoGTA, with a consistent focus on professionalised, ethical, inclusive and participatory governance practices.
Tshepo Legodi
Manager: Integrated Development Planning | Mogale City Local Municipality
Tshepo Legodi, MSc (Urban & Regional Planning), is the Manager: Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and Performance Management at Mogale City Local Municipality. With over 15 years of experience in local…
View profileTshepo Legodi, MSc (Urban & Regional Planning), is the Manager: Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and Performance Management at Mogale City Local Municipality. With over 15 years of experience in local government, he has extensive expertise in integrated development planning, performance management, public participation, and sustainable local governance. Mr Legodi has been actively involved in advancing innovative citizen engagement approaches, including e-participation initiatives that strengthen inclusive and responsive governance.
He is also a member of the SALGA Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Local Government Programme, contributing to the localisation of global development priorities within South African municipalities.
Theo Nkosi
Researcher | Public Affairs Research Institute
Theo holds a BA in Public Management and Governance, awarded with distinction by the University of Johannesburg, and a Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration from the University of…
View profileTheo holds a BA in Public Management and Governance, awarded with distinction by the University of Johannesburg, and a Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration from the University of Pretoria. His experience includes community-based work promoting digital internet access and contributions to the Digital Market Access Programme in partnership with 22 on Sloane, the UK-South Africa Tech Hub and the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
He is currently a Future Leaders Fellow at the Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute (ASRI) and a researcher in the Academic Engagement Unit at the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI). His research interests include data-driven decision-making, public service delivery and public policy.