"We cannot change the past. We can shape the Future."
"The ST&I Business Forum exists to advance Science, Technology & Innovation as the engine of South Africa's economic future."— ST&I Business Forum Founding Statement The Founding Document
To develop a productive and competitive Science, Technology & Innovation ecosystem, and ensure interprovincial urban industrialisation for a more advanced and inclusive society.
Championing urban regional industrialisation through Science, Technology and Innovation.
To promote and engage in robust and progressive ST&I policy advocacy for regional economic development and to position Science, Technology and Innovation at the centre of our urban/regional industrial innovation strategies and policies.
The ST&I Business Forum is guided by a Governance Board and working-group leadership that provide strategic direction, specialist oversight, and delivery accountability across the organisation.
The profiles below introduce the Board Members together with the Chairperson of the Working Groups identified in the ST&I Business Forum leadership profiles document. Each profile highlights the experience shaping the Forum's governance, policy direction, and programme implementation agenda.
Board Members
Chairperson of the Working Groups
Chief Executive Officer of VWCapital, Chairperson of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), Deputy Chairperson and Founding member of African Innovation Council (AIC)-Princeton Africa World Initiative, and former Head of Policy for the Black Business Council. Founder of the TUT's Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW).
He is a member of the Board of Trustees for Indlulamithi South Africa Scenarios 2030 and the SASOL Foundation, and a member of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the ILO/Productivity SA Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Project.
Holds two Master of Science degrees: one from the University of Southern Queensland (Australia), majoring in Project Management, and the other from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (United Kingdom), in Major Programme Management. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Technology in Industrial Engineering.
Professor Glenda Gray (MBBCh, FCPaeds (SA)) is an NRF A-rated scientist and one of South Africa's most distinguished medical researchers, holding honorary doctorates from three universities. She was the first female President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and currently serves as its Chief Scientific Officer. Internationally renowned for her HIV vaccine research and work on preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, she is a recipient of the Order of Mapungubwe, was named among Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2017), and ranked among Forbes' Top 50 Women in Africa (2020).
Dr Nomhle Ngwenya provides strategic direction in advancing South Africa's innovation ecosystem, strengthening collaboration between business, government, and academia, and positioning science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of inclusive economic growth. She is a recognised thought leader in ST&I, sustainability, and ESG, and has been recognised as one of the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans.
She holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Sciences from the University of the Witwatersrand, becoming the youngest person and first Black woman to achieve this distinction. A published academic and sessional lecturer at Wits Business School, her work reflects a strong foundation in scientific research, innovation systems, sustainable development, climate resilience, and policy.
In addition to her executive leadership, Dr Ngwenya is the Founder and Director of Ingcebo Green Africa, a boutique ESG advisory firm. Through this work, she has advised multinational, regional, and local companies on ESG integration, sustainability strategy, and responsible business practices. She also serves on national and provincial advisory structures shaping South Africa's development trajectory. Appointed by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, she serves as an Advisory Board Member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), contributing to policy and strategic direction on science, technology, and innovation. She is also a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Climate Change and Sustainable Development Council, appointed by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, where she provides advisory input on climate resilience, sustainable growth, and development.
Bani Kgosana is the Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Public Sector and Partnerships at Pragma Global, and holds an MBA from Henley Business School. He brings 25 years of experience in the IT and technology sectors, having held senior roles at organisations including NTT Data, Dimension Data, Deloitte, and BCX. He currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Hannover Reinsurance Group Africa and Compass Insure, where he is a member of the Audit and Risk Committees, the Social and Ethics Committee, and the Remuneration Committee.
Veli Mazibuko ka Rubusana is the founder of Cirha Holdings and Amagorha Consulting. He serves as Executive Director of the Duduza Resource Centre and as a Board Member of the Mamosa Educational Institute. He also lectures part-time at Regent Business School.
Max Bertschmann is Senior Partner at Syndexis Sàrl. Former Counsellor for Trade and Head of the Swiss Business Hub Southern Africa at the Swiss Embassy, Pretoria. National Director of Right To Play Switzerland and Head of Sponsors & Partners at Switzerland Global Enterprise. Executive MBA, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland); certified in ESG Strategy & Finance (Saïd Business School, Oxford), with applied expertise in ISSB, CSRD, and Six Capitals reporting.
Keshal Sookha is the founder of Xante Investments (Pty) Ltd, an investment holding company with interests in education, compliance advisory, and financial advisory services. He serves as Managing Executive of Commercial Strategy at Telkom Business and as Chair of the Alumni Business Club at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
Tope Toogun is an innovation policy practitioner and the founder of Cognity Development Services Ltd. He has served as National Coordinator of the Government of Nigeria's Inter-ministerial Committee on Research and Innovation and Chief Negotiator of the European Union-Nigeria Bilateral STI Agreement.
He was also a member of the National Universities Commission's Strategy Advisory Committee (2019-2024), is a member of the National Agenda 2050 Committee, and was an adviser to GE Africa's Learning Advisory Board (2015-2018).
He is also a founding member of the Princeton University Africa Innovation Council.
Nokuthula "Nokky" Ndlovu is a Technology and Leadership Entrepreneur and Commercial Strategist with 24 years of experience in the technology and innovation sector. As the founder and Managing Director of Projectized Management PTY (Ltd), she has built a tech company focused on developing products, forging OEM partnerships, and intentionally creating pathways for graduates into the industry.
Beyond her executive role, Nokky holds significant board and leadership positions that reflect her commitment to inclusive economic growth and international engagement. As Chairperson of the Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum (IORBF) South Africa Chapter since 2022, she has led international delegations and championed the voice of SMEs through initiatives such as the Oceans 20, working closely with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
She also serves as Chairperson of the Black Business Council (BBC) ICT Portfolio Committee, where she contributes to policy development and advocates for the meaningful inclusion of Black-owned businesses in the mainstream economy, regularly participating in strategic delegations to the Presidency.
Stephen L. Hightower is an internationally respected energy executive and entrepreneur with more than four decades of leadership experience in the petroleum and energy sectors. He is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hightowers Petroleum Co., and Hightower EV Solutions is a national developer, technology integrator, and design builder of turnkey electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects.
Under his leadership, the company has grown into a major provider of integrated energy solutions, including bulk fuels, crude, renewable energy, LNG, electric vehicle infrastructure, hydrogen technologies, and sustainable energy systems. He holds a Management and Communication qualification from Wright State University.
Mr. Hightower serves and has served on several influential industry and civic boards, including the American Petroleum Institute (API), the National Petroleum Council (NPC), and the Cincinnati Business Committee (CBC), among many others. He continues to play a significant role in shaping future-focused energy solutions and strengthening U.S.-Africa commercial and energy collaboration.
Kieno Kammies is a serial entrepreneur and innovation architect who has spent two decades at the intersection of media, business and innovation, developing a rare instinct for the core needs of people and the ecosystems that serve them.
That foundation now extends into capital raising and allocation, where he brings the same human-centred lens to building Africa's next generation of investment platforms.
His work spans co-founding ventures across South Africa and Ireland, advising institutions through board leadership at TSIBA Business School and Business Ireland South Africa, and directing impact-driven capital allocation as Managing Director of CDI Capital.
Itumeleng Mathe is a corporate entrepreneur and Managing Executive at Viya Health Africa, with 28 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industry. He has held senior roles at Aspen Pharmaceuticals, Becton Dickinson, and Sandoz, holds an MCom from the University of Johannesburg, and serves on the TUT Institute for the Future of Work Advisory Committee.
Teboho H. More is a human capital specialist, entrepreneur, and Founder of Sariel Human Capital Consultancy, delivering strategic HR advisory, coaching, and learning and development solutions.
As Chairperson of the Work Integrated Learning Portfolio at the ST&I Business Forum, he leads initiatives that enhance graduate employability and deepen industry-academic collaboration.
He holds an MPhil in Leadership from the University of Johannesburg and a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law, and is certified as an Assessor, Moderator, Skills Development Facilitator, and Coach.
Sivakumar Pasupathi (Siva) is the Director for HySA systems competence centre, one of three centres of competences under Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) National Frontier Programme, aimed at adding value to the immense mineral resources in South Africa.
He has over 25 years experience in hydrogen and fuel cell technology covering from component development up to system integration. Siva obtained his PhD from the University of Pisa, Italy in the field of fuel cells and has worked in renowned laboratories globally, including SAIAMC since 2005.
He is driving the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies at HySA Systems with a focus on the commercialization of the products emanating from the RDI, having demonstrated various prototypes in this area. He has organized various conferences, workshops, and seminars, including a National South African Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Supply Chain Workshop and the first international conference on Hydrogen and Fuel cells in South Africa.
Lindy Mkhize is an independent business management consultant specialising in global market research, analysis, and the development of ecosystem solutions for sustainability and profitability.
She works with embassies, chambers of commerce, trade and investment agencies, corporate executives, SMEs, and skills development institutions to build sustainable business linkages and implement strategic commercialisation projects.
As a country representative for various multinational corporations, social enterprises, and non-governmental organisations, she supports clients in packaging compelling value propositions, navigating complex regulatory environments, and developing structured growth roadmaps. She is known for fostering the bankability, credibility, and agility required to drive socioeconomic transformation, with a distinctly Afrocentric perspective informed by current market needs and economic trajectories.
Collet Ngobeni is the Chief Operating Officer of Alteram Solutions, with extensive experience in the IT industry. He has held senior leadership roles at the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). His key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, the call centre industry, and driving innovation in training, learning, and assessments.
Joel Motaung is a Supply Chain and Procurement professional with over 20 years leadership experience gained from working for various private and public companies. Joel expertise spans across Strategy, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Risk Management, and Governance.
He is currently serving as Director of Procurement Operations at CVC Partners and a member of the Pan African Justice Initiative (PAJI) advisory board.
Joel holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive Development Program, MCIPS and Industrial Engineering degree. His insights on digitalising Procurement have been published in an international academic journal.
Sibusiso Radebe is a strategic HR consultant and employment relations specialist with over 20 years of experience helping businesses navigate complex workforce challenges with legal rigour and commercial practicality. Drawing on deep labour law expertise and hands-on business ownership experience, he approaches employment relations decisions with a clear understanding of their impact on people, operations, and the bottom line.
His areas of expertise span strategic labour relations, union negotiations, and collective bargaining, through to representation and advisory at CCMA and Bargaining Council proceedings. He is experienced in chairing disciplinary hearings and managing complex misconduct and incapacity cases, as well as guiding businesses through retrenchment and organisational restructuring processes.
Sibusiso has an in-depth command of the LRA, BCEA, and Employment Equity Act, and is skilled at aligning HR risk management with broader business growth objectives. Having built and run his own business, he brings an owner's mindset to every mandate, balancing workforce fairness with enterprise protection and translating legal complexity into practical, defensible solutions for both growing SMEs and large unionised operations.
Brenda Nkosi-Bakare is the Head of Group Governance, Planning and Reporting for Sasol CSI and Sasol Foundation. She leads strategy, budgeting, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation across global programmes, and brings experience from Sasol's stakeholder relations portfolio, local government in Ekurhuleni, and The Presidency, alongside representation in organised business and industry associations.
ST&I Business Forum is committed to the following objectives:
Championing the establishment and substantiality of Universities of Applied Science and Innovation with a strong industrial and entrepreneurial orientation, which could serve as a model and pilot for a new, innovative model of work-integrated learning universities in South Africa.
Promoting a national urban innovation ecosystem anchored around South Africa's eight (8) Metropolitan Areas and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Advancing ST&I-driven Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that accelerate growth and competitiveness.
Promote and advocate dual education system, which combines classroom learning with practical work experience, enhancing students' employability and providing them with essential skills for their careers.
Promote the equity equivalent investment programme.
Promote public venture funds.
The ST&I Business Forum's key focus is the adoption of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) as the catalyst for inclusive economic growth. Members of the organisation may review and amend strategic focus areas at the annual conference.
Fostering industry-focused partnerships between Universities of Technology (UoTs), Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) and the Business community.
Advancing Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) policy advocacy for urban/regional economic growth.
Promoting and sustaining the organisational flagship event, ST&I Public Lecture.
National Government ST&I policy advancements.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) policy advancements, including Digital Creative Industry & Indigenous Knowledge and Technology.
Urban regional ST&I Industrial innovation policy advancements.
The organisation delivers its work through Governance Board-approved working groups, each led by a chairperson and reviewed at the annual conference.
Organisation Working Groups (WKG) drive the ST&I Business Forum's key programmes. There are 10 initial working groups approved by the Governance Board. Their role is to deliver the organisation's priority programmes as defined by the Governance Board, with the structure reviewed and amended at the annual conference.
Initial working groups established to coordinate funding, sector development, innovation adoption, skills, and institutional planning.
Focused on strengthening science, technology and innovation funding pathways and research investment.
Advances industrial innovation through modern production systems, automation and high-tech sector growth.
Supports collaboration around hydrogen energy opportunities, infrastructure and commercial application.
Promotes stronger alignment between academic learning, workplace readiness and applied training models.
Explores AI and frontier technologies that can accelerate innovation, competitiveness and inclusive growth.
Champions aerospace and aviation opportunities linked to industrial capability, research and specialised skills.
Addresses innovation across logistics and transport systems that enable regional trade and economic activity.
Supports enterprise creation, innovation pipelines and the development of high-potential start-up ecosystems.
Focuses on digital health solutions that improve healthcare innovation, systems integration and access.
Advances planning conversations around technical education models with strong applied, innovation-led foundations.
The ST&I Business Forum key programmes include.
Programme 01
Technical education focused on integrated workplace learning and practice.
Explore →
Programme 02
Urban/Regional ST&I Parks & Special Economic Zones (SEZ's).
Explore →
Programme 03
Universities of Technology (UoTs) and TVET's innovation initiatives.
Explore →
Programme 04
At the Inaugural Metropolitan Mayors' Meeting in Cape Town on 27 August 2025, South Africa's metro regions — representing 55% of the population and over 70% of economic activity — convened under SALGA to discuss city governance. SALGA emphasised the need for about R70 billion in annual capital investment over the next decade to sustain urban growth.
The ST&I Business Forum is therefore built around South Africa's Metropolitan Areas, key urban centres, and Urban SEZs as the primary engines of innovation-led development, including the City of Ekurhuleni, City of Polokwane, Mahikeng, City of eThekwini, and City of Mbombela.
The ST&I Public Lecture serves as championing the science & innovation ecosystem in South Africa.
ST&I Public Lecture WebsiteWe are currently partnered with Mail & Guardian.
// Featured Article
The establishment of a University of Applied Science and Innovation marks a transformative step in reshaping South Africa's higher education landscape and unlocking meaningful opportunities for the nation's youth.
Read Article →
// Digital Economy
Closing the skills gap through dual-education models and industry partnership.
Read Article →
// Urban Development
The case for a dedicated applied science institution in Ekurhuleni has gathered renewed urgency.
Read Article →Become a member of the ST&I Business Forum and connect with South Africa's leading innovators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
The ST&I Business Forum operates through a growing set of offices across South Africa, creating local access points for collaboration, convening, and programme delivery.
Eastlands Office Park, Bentel Ave, Jansen Park, Boksburg, 1459
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
