To develop a productive and competitive Science, Technology & Innovation ecosystem, and ensure interprovincial urban industrialisation for a more advanced and inclusive society.
Mission Statement
Championing urban regional industrialisation through Science, Technology and Innovation.
Purpose
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.
Governance
Governance Board
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.
Leadership Profiles
11
Board Members
07
Chairperson of the Working Groups
Chairperson
Tilson Mphathi Manyoni
CEO of VWCapital; Chairperson of NACI
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.
Deputy Chairperson
Professor Glenda Gray
Chief Scientific Officer, SAMRC
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).
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Nomhle Ngwenya
CEO, ST&I Business Forum
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.
Treasurer
Bani Kgosana
Pragma Global Executive and Board Director
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.
Director and Head of Policy
Itumeleng Mathe
Managing Executive, Viya Health Africa
Itumeleng Mathe is the Director and Head of Policy at the STI Business Forum. A corporate entrepreneur and Managing Executive at Viya Health Africa, he has 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.
Member
Max Bertschmann
Senior Partner, Syndexis Sàrl
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.
Member
Keshal Sookha
Founder, Xante Investments
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).
Member
Tope Toogun
Founder, Cognity Development Services Ltd
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.
Member
Brenda Nkosi-Bakare
Head of Group Governance, Planning and Reporting, Sasol CSI and Sasol Foundation
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.
Member
Cecilia Steenberg
Head of Strategic Communications & Partnerships, Brightlab
Cecilia Steenberg is Head of Strategic Communications and Partnerships at Brightlab, a technology firm specialising in digital product strategy, venture building, automation, and artificial intelligence, where she drives concept-to-commercialisation across a portfolio of 4IR ventures spanning govtech, fintech, IoT, and community platforms.
She arrives in the technology sector carrying fifteen years of hard-won leadership in brand marketing, global sports sponsorship, and strategic communications, with senior roles at Octagon Marketing, CSM Sport & Entertainment, and Brand Inc Creative Group, delivering for SA Rugby, the All Blacks, AIG, Standard Bank, Toyota, Unilever, and ASICS. The AIG-New Zealand Rugby partnership she helped build won Sponsor of the Decade at the Rugby Expo Awards in London.
Her career has crossed oceans, South Africa to New Zealand and back, consistently bending commercial power toward human purpose through the Reach For A Dream Foundation, The Players' Fund, and UNICEF. She is the founder of Tshwane 4 Change, a non-profit built on one conviction: that innovation must reach those who need it most, and that digital ambition should lead to real solutions, not just profitable exits.
She holds a Bachelor of Health in Human Movement Science from the University of Pretoria.
Member
Ms Ludwe Macingwane
Head: Science & Technology Park, East London IDZ
Ms Ludwe Macingwane is the Head of the Science and Technology Park at the East London IDZ. Since joining the leadership team that conceptualised the Park in 2012, she has provided strategic direction and oversight for its projects and research activities, and has led the Park since 2016.
She developed the Park's 20-year expansion model, setting out a vision for an Innovation District. Her strengths include conceptualising strategic projects, securing investment, and leading multidisciplinary teams through efficient delivery.
Ms Macingwane is President of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) Africa chapter and represents Africa on the global IASP board. Her work includes leading the establishment of an automotive and manufacturing incubator, the Digital Hub, and centres of excellence in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
She holds junior and postgraduate qualifications from the University of Johannesburg and a master's degree in Leadership of Innovation and Change from York St John University in the United Kingdom. Her experience also spans FMCG and ICT, including ABI and Business Connexion.
Chairperson: Technical Education Working Group
Teboho More
Founder, Sariel Human Capital Consultancy
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 Technical Education 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.
Chairperson: Hydrogen Energy Working Group
Prof Siva Pasupathi
Director, HySA Systems Competence Centre
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.
Chairperson: Business Funding & R&D
Lindy Mkhize
Independent Business Management Consultant
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.
Chairperson: AI & Emerging Technologies Working Group
Collet Ngobeni
Chief Operating Officer, Alteram Solutions
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.
Chairperson: High-Tech Industries & Smart Manufacturing Working Group
Joel Motaung
Director of Procurement Operations, CVC Partners
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.
Chairperson: Start-up Ecosystem Working Group
Kennedy Ramatsea
Chief Executive Officer, We Earth Social Tech
Kennedy Ramatsea is a systems entrepreneur and technology innovator focused on food security, reducing investment risk, and building inclusive rural economies through geospatial intelligence and practical digital systems.
Through We Earth and its flagship FarmVision project, he is helping to digitalise farmers across South Africa and monitor agricultural activity in the Eastern Cape, supporting food-security planning, commercial agriculture, job creation, and SMME participation in the agricultural value chain.
His work with government departments and parastatals applies satellite data, artificial intelligence, GIS, farmer-intelligence tools, and investment platforms to strengthen food-security measures, make agricultural opportunities investment-ready, and support sustainable local economic growth.
AC
Advisory Committee
Committee Profiles
Additional advisory members will be listed here
This section will present the Advisory Committee, including member profiles, areas of expertise, and the advisory role each member contributes to the ST&I Business Forum.
The ST&I Business Forum Mandate
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 the establishment of Science and Innovation Parks (SIP’s) and Technoparks, as purpose-built national innovation ecosystems. The SIPs are established in strategic locations, such as Special Economic Zones (SEZs), with such South African SIPs serving not merely real estate developments but platforms for research translation, industrial innovation, technology commercialisation, startup formation, and regional socio-economic transformation.
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.
Strategic Objectives
ST&I Strategic Objectives
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.
01 //
⚡
Industry-Focused Partnerships
Fostering industry-focused partnerships between Universities of Technology (UoTs), Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) and the Business community.
1
02 //
🔬
ST&I Policy Advocacy
Advancing Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) policy advocacy for urban/regional economic growth.
2
03 //
💻
Flagship Event Sustainability
Promoting and sustaining the organisational flagship event, ST&I Public Lecture.
3
04 //
🧠
National ST&I Policy
National Government ST&I policy advancements.
4
05 //
🏙️
STEAM Policy Advancements
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) policy advancements, including Digital Creative Industry & Indigenous Knowledge and Technology.
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.
Current Structure
10
Initial working groups established to coordinate funding, sector development, innovation adoption, skills, and institutional planning.
WKG 1
Business ST&I-Funding & R&D Investment
Focused on strengthening science, technology and innovation funding pathways and research investment.
WKG 2
High-Tech Industries & Smart Manufacturing
Advances industrial innovation through modern production systems, automation and high-tech sector growth.
WKG 3
Hydrogen Energy
Supports collaboration around hydrogen energy opportunities, infrastructure and commercial application.
WKG 4
Technical Education
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.
WKG 6
Aerospace & Aviation
Champions aerospace and aviation opportunities linked to industrial capability, research and specialised skills.
WKG 7
Creative Industries
Supports innovation-led growth across creative sectors, cultural enterprise, digital content and design-driven industry.
WKG 8
Start-ups Development
Supports enterprise creation, innovation pipelines and the development of high-potential start-up ecosystems.
WKG 9
Digital Health
Focuses on digital health solutions that improve healthcare innovation, systems integration and access.
WKG 10
Township Innovation
Advances township innovation models that support local enterprise, applied technology, inclusive growth, and community-led solutions.
Key Programmes
Programme 01
Technical Education
Technical education focused on integrated workplace learning and practice.
Programme 02
Urban/Regional ST&I Parks & SEZ's
Urban/Regional ST&I Parks & Special Economic Zones (SEZ's).
Programme 03
UoTs and TVET Innovation
Universities of Technology (UoTs) and TVET's innovation initiatives.
Programme 04
Business R&D Investments
Business Research and Development (R&D) investments.
Urban Regions
Organisational Core Metropolitan Urban Regions
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.
// Metro Map
City of Cape Town
Nelson Mandela Bay
Buffalo City
Mangaung
City of Johannesburg
Mahikeng
City of Tshwane
City of Ekurhuleni
City of Polokwane
City of eThekwini
City of Mbombela
METRO MAP
11 Urban Regions
City of Johannesburg
City of Tshwane
City of Ekurhuleni
City of Cape Town
City of eThekwini
Nelson Mandela Bay
Buffalo City
Mangaung
Mahikeng
City of Polokwane
City of Mbombela
// LECTURE SERIES ACTIVE
ST&I Public Lecture
Championing Science & Innovation
The ST&I Public Lecture serves as championing the science & innovation ecosystem in South Africa.
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.
Buti Manamela outlines the proposed university’s role in building South Africa’s industrial and technological capabilities, and the planning, funding and academic standards needed to deliver it.
A national footprint that keeps the Forum close to industry, metros, and policy partners.
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.
National presenceEach office connects the Forum to regional government, academia, and private-sector stakeholders while maintaining a consistent brand experience across the network.
Gauteng
City of Ekurhuleni (Head Office)
Eastlands Office Park, Bentel Ave, Jansen Park, Boksburg, 1459
