Humbulani Mudau has over 20 years of technical and management experience in Space Science and Technology, particularly in Earth Observation systems, space technology development, as well as remote sensing, and geospatial applications. Mr Mudau has vast experience in inter-governmental, interagency, regional, global and international space diplomacy while lobbying on policy issues and resource mobilisation for national and international projects. Over the years, he has led at executive level, showcasing his robust and concrete capabilities in project designing, implementing and evaluating international projects with diverse stakeholders. In his capacity as the senior scientific representative at GEO Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, he conceptualised the African Group on Earth Observations (AfriGEO) initiative. Later on as the Chief Director of Space Science and Technology in the South African government, he was responsible for the implementation of the Department of Science and Technology’s 10 year Innovation Plan – that included the National Space Strategy and South African Earth Observation Strategy (SAEOS) – as well as the establishment of the of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the National Earth Observation and Space Secretariat, among many other initiatives.
Ms. Sibongile Mazibuko
With a career spanning over 18 years in various Executive Management roles, having held positions at the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) as the Executive Manager of South Africa Infrastructure Funding Division; DBSA Development Fund and DBSA Vulindlela Academy as the Chief Operations Officer and Executive Director; Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) as the Chief Operations Officer.
Her qualifications include a Masters in Science (MSc) Corporate Governance, Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, Bachelor of Administration in Social Science and a Senior Executive Development Programme. Her key competencies include Strategic Facilitation, Project Management, Risk Management, Labour relations, Corporate Governance, Coaching and Mentorship.
Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell has been Managing Director responsible for the Space Science Programme within SANSA since 2010, prior to which she was a Researcher with a joint position at the previous Hermanus Magnetic Observatory and Rhodes University. McKinnell holds a PhD in Space Physics from Rhodes University and an MBA from the Business School Netherlands. She has extensive international research experience, and represents SANSA and South Africa on a number of international and national committees in the Space Science and Technology field.
Mr Raoul Hodges has worked at the Hartebeesthoek facility since 1987, and is responsible for the operational management of the Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) as well as the Earth Observation Centre at Hartebeesthoek. During this period he managed several international projects and negotiations for satellite data. This data is being widely used in South Africa as well as the SADC region, specifically the Spot 5 open access contract, which has been serving the Earth observation community for more than last five years. He has engaged with many international space agencies to invest and co-locate ground segment equipment at Hartebeesthoek to enhance the visibility of the South African role in the international space sector.
Brighton Jena CA(SA) is a qualified chartered accountant with over 25 years’ experience.
He completed his articles with Ernst & Young and subsequently held several senior executive roles. Brighton was previously a Corporate Finance Executive involved in M&A and subsequently held Group Chief Financial Officer roles at Imara Holdings Limited, Tech Holdings Limited and Unifi Group where he gained vast regional and global experience in the financial services and technology sectors.
