Thabo Mongatane

Chairperson

Thabo Mongatane is a public finance management specialist CA(SA) and an executive coach. He’s CEO of the Kolano Investment Solutions Group and a founder of Kumbaya Africa, a start-up incubator for NGOs and social entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa. He’s a graduate of SA Business Coaches and was chairperson of the SA State Theatre’s Audit and Risk Committee, as well as a member of SAICA’s Regulations Committee. He served on the INTOSAI Competency Framework task team in Oslo, Norway. He’s a facilitator and examiner for the SA Institute of Government Auditors’ RGA programmes.

Palesa Lepule

Deputy Chairperson

Palesa is a YALI RLC alumni (2018) where she was selected for the civic leadership track. She is a non-profit leader and lawyer who is passionate about human rights and is currently working in project management. Palesa has been a recipient of various awards and accolades which include being recognised as a change-maker by ASHOKA for leading a social enterprise as well as being honoured as one of the 100 young Nelson Mandela’s of the future by News24. She has been recognised as a leader and a pioneer in the Civil Society Space.

Mandisa Ngcobo

Secretary

Mandisa is a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is also a Finance and Strategy professional with an a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Bond University, Australia and a Post Graduate Diploma and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Gordon Institute of Business Science, South Africa. She is experienced in Forensic Accounting and Investment Management with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting industry. Skilled in Internal Audit, Analytical Skills, Corporate Finance, Managerial Finance, Insurance, Risk Management and Strategic Planning.

Chiedza Mnguni

Chiedza is an alumni of the Tech Women program (2017) where she was selected as an emerging leader in the tech space in South Africa. She is an experienced Civil Engineering Professional and Professional Project Manager. She Driven by her passion for youth and women, she takes pride in motivating them to pursue careers in Stem fields and to remain in the fields. Among her many achievements she is most proud of being honoured with the Technologist of the year award in 2018 for her contribution to the Civil Engineering Industry by the South African Institute of Civil Engineering.

Hope Muronga, Ph.D.

Hope holds a PhD in Economics degree from Southern Illinois University, and a Masters degree in Economics (Cum Laude) from the University of Pretoria. In addition to my academic studies, she has international experience working in South Africa and in the United States. Her interests lie in Development Economics, Macroeconomics & Monetary Economics, Behavioral, and Energy Economics. She has done research and econometric analysis on various economic fields, including poverty and exclusion, education and human capital, trade, monetary policy, crime and safety perceptions, intergenerational mobility, and energy economics.

Lee du Preez

Lee is an alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship (2015) where he was selected for the business leadership track. He is the founder and managing director of BEE Novation. In his local community, he’s vice-chairman on the Board of the Pietermaritzburg Children’s Home where they groom 70 orphaned, abused and abandoned children for life by exposing them to the broader world so they never back down from enterprise.

Sifundo Mzwakhe Xulu

Mzwakhe is a multi-talented individual with interests in entrepreneurship, innovation, and writing. He leads LaTonisi Business Consultants, a business development services agency based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, while also managing operations at CulinearClear Solutions and spearheading Hydrowize Solutions Pty Ltd, a water management solutions startup. Dedicated to youth development, in 2016 he co-founded Calibrating Minds Society NPO, focusing on debating and career expos for learners in Empangeni & Newcastle cities of KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, Mzwakhe serves as deputy chairperson on the board of the KwaZulu-Natal Schools Debating Association. His remarkable contributions have earned him prestigious awards, including the 100 South African Shining Stars Award, Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans, Africa’s 100 Brightest Young Minds, Sunday World’s Unsung Heroes, and recognition in the UNISA Innovation Challenge. As a writer, he was among the top ten selected by the University of Stellenbosch’s Chair in Science Communication for a sci-fi writing retreat, with an upcoming anthology of short stories to be published in 2024.

Murendeni Makhado

Murendeni Makhado is a Sustainable Development Professional with over 10 years of experience in the mining industry. She has been involved in facilitating the development and implementation of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies, policies and working plans. She is passionate about sustainable development with special focus on access to clean water and gender equality, which she believes are basic human rights. She is the membership lead for Women in Mining South Africa, which is a nonprofit organization that creates an empowering network to inspire, support, and develop the progression of women working in the South African mining industry . She is also the vice marketing lead for the International Water Association – Southern Africa division (IWA-SA), member of the BRICS youth council and an Advisory board member for the Topco Future of Sustainability Summit

Tarisai Moffat

Tarisai Moffat is a business development manager, marketer, and speaker. She co-founded Gateway Synergy and is a Graca Machel Women Wealth Coach. She’s led a 100% black-owned company with a female leadership team for 5 years, specializing in high-quality video production and marketing. Tarisai is a passionate advocate for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), bridging traditional and digital advertising, and empowering African brands. Her extensive achievements include recognition from Promax Africa and Promax Global Awards, Women in Marketing United Kingdom, and prestigious programs like the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Tarisai is dedicated to fostering leadership, empowering young entrepreneurs, and shaping the future of business and marketing in Africa. She stands as an inspiring force, driving positive change and advancement on the global stage.

Simphiwe Mamvura

Simphiwe Mamvura has over 15 years of cross-sector leadership experience. She serves on numerous Boards, offering advisory support and governance oversight. As managing director of Maponya 911 EMS, she ensures effective operations and drives business growth. With qualifications including an Executive MBA and ongoing DBA studies, she’s recognized for her contributions to risk management and governance. Awards like the 2020 Standard Bank Top Women in Science and 2021 Standard Bank Top Women Businesswoman finalist highlight her achievements. Passionate about South Africa’s development, Mamvura actively empowers women and young girls.