The Commission
PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Meet the Commissioners
The President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa during his 2018 State of Nation Address called for the establishment of a Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) which is inclusive of the private sector and civil society to ensure that South Africa is in a position to seize the opportunities and manage the challenges of rapid technological advances. The commission will chart a path that will position SA to take advantage of the digital opportunities and dividends, as well as opportunities brought upon by 4IR.
Subsequently, on 7 February 2019, during his State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of the Commission.The Commission will serve as a national overarching advisory mechanism on 4IR and leveraging on advances brought upon by technologies in sectors of the economy. The expertise levels for members of the Commission is in the following areas of focus: technology start- ups and social entrepreneurs, academia, cybersecurity, research and innovation, social scientists, additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0 experts and other related areas covering the key sectors.
The President also mentioned that due to the nature of 4IR as a cross cutting domain. this initiative requires effective planning, coordination and implementation at all levels of society and government. For this to happen, government has to be better organised to provide effective leadership throughout the value chain of the 4IR and the digital economy. He further announced that the Commission would have operational support, which will be provided by a capable Secretariat consisting of officials from various national departments, led by the Department of Communications.
Therefore, it is important that a coordination mechanism be established at cabinet level to coordinate overall coordination of planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review of interventions to position South Africa as one of the leading nations in the digital economy and the 4IR. The establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on 4IR was then approved on 27 March 2019
Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala
Expertise: Theory and Application of Artificial Intelligence to Engineering, Computer Science, Finance, Social Science and Medicine Qualifications: PhD (Engineering in Artificial Intelligence) Sector: ICT/Telecoms Institution: University of Johannesburg Criteria:...
Dr. Busisiwe Mbuyisa
Expertise: Innovation and Technology Management, program and portfolio management, IT Consulting, systems design and development, financial planning and management. Qualifications: DPhil, Masters (IT), BCom (Hons) (informatics), BCom (IS) Sector: Banking Institution:...
Mr Aubrey Tshabalala
Expertise: Telecom, Broadcasting, Postal Courier, IT, Labour Relations Qualifications: Marketing Management Sector: Communication and Technology Institution: COSATU Criteria: Community/Labour
Dr. Nompumelelo Happworth Obokoh
Expertise: Business strategy development, planning and implementation, organisational development, capacity building, Project budgeting, Intellectual Property Development and Protection, R&D Qualifications: PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, MSc in Plant...
Mr. Baxolile Mabinya
Expertise: Telecommunications Strategy, Data Science and Analytics, Digital Transformation, Thought Leadership, Skills Development Qualifications: MComm (Computer Science), MBA Sector: ICT/Telecoms Institution: Deviare Criteria: Private Sector
Dr Sibongiseni Thotsejane
Mr. Joseph Ndaba
Expertise: Corporate, Entrepreneurial Development and Advisory Roles Qualifications: NDip (IT), Marketing Diploma Sector: ICT/Telecoms Institution: Mahikeng Innovation Hub Criteria: Private Sector
Mr. Ben Venter
Expertise: Labour Law Qualifications: B. Com, BCom Hons, Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Law Sector: Labour Institution: COSATU Criteria: Trade Union
Mr. Gerhard Van Deventer
Expertise: Fintech Analyst, IT Risk Analyst, ICT Audit Qualifications: BCom, BSc, BA; BCom Hons, MA, MBA Sector: Fintech Institution: SARB (SA Reserve Bank) Criteria: Public Sector
Mr. Andile Ngcaba
Expertise: Policy & Regulatory expert, technology strategist, Chairman and founder of companies. Qualifications: Honorary DCom, MCom (Information Systems) Sector: ICT/Telecoms Institution: Convergence Partners Criteria: Private Sector
Dr. Thulani Humphrey Dlamini
Expertise: Chief Executive Officer, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Sector: Science, Technology and Innovation Qualifications: PhD Chemistry, MBL/Science and Technology Institution: CSIR Criteria: Research / Public Sector
Mr. Rendani Mamphiswana
Expertise: Innovation ecosystems, national system of innovation, technical advisory and product development, engineering, construction, project management, research, technology management and strategy development, social innovation, process engineering and design....
Ms. Marinda Kellerman
Expertise: Research, Product Development and Advisory Roles Qualifications: B.Sc Agric (Hons) Sector: Agriculture Institution: SA Women in Farming (SAWIF) Criteria: Private Sector
Mr. Tervern Liaan John Jafhta
Expertise: Business and Technology Incubation Qualifications: BA Admin Sector: SMME Institution: SEDA Criteria: Public Sector
Ms. Charmaine Houvet
Expertise: Policy Development, Thought leadership, Strategy and Planning, Advisory, Regulation, Telecommunications, Research Communication, Digital skills development, Programme Management, Business Analysis Qualifications: MBA, Business Administration Degree Sector:...
Mr. Vukani Mngxati
Expertise: Industrial, innovation and technology development Qualifications: B Com Sector: Professional Services (Consulting) Institution: Accenture Criteria: Private Sector
Mr. Rob Shuter
Expertise: Telecommunications, Financial Services Qualifications: BCom CA (SA), PGDip Accounting & Finance (University of KwaZulu-Natal), BCom Economics & Accounting (University of Cape Town) Sector: Telecommunications Criteria: Private
Mr. Mpho Dagada
Expertise: Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrecy, Entrepreneurship and Best-selling Author Sector: Blockchain Technology Criteria: Private
Ms. Lindiwe Matlali
Ms. S’onqoba Vuba
Ms. Nomvula Mkhonza
Mr. Leon Desmond Rolls
Expertise: Software development, entrepreneurship Qualifications: NHDip (Software Development), Diploma (Business Analysis) Sector: ICT/Telecoms Institution: Mzansi ComNet/Progressive Black in ICT (PBICT)
Prof. Christian Michael Adendorff
Mr. Abdul Razak Esakjee
Mr. Rendani Praise Ramabulana
Ms. Nomso Kana
Dr. Michael Gastrow
Ms. Beth Arendse
Mr. Xolile Christopher George
Dr. Bernard Lewis Fanaroff
Mr. Mohamed Shameel Joosub
Dr. Prince Senyukelo Jaca
Expertise: Strategic Planning, Higher Education Sector Qualifications: PhD, MSc (Maths + Ed), BSc (Ed) Sector: Education and skills development Institution: Walter Sisulu University Criteria: Academia
Latest Posts
Transitioning to Smart Technologies for Businesses
Source: Pexels By Takalani Malivha The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and institutions are positioning themselves to participate and lead their industries in the deployment of 4IR technology. The definition of this industrial revolution is not quite set in...
Defining The 4th Industrial Revolution
The History of Industrial Revolutions We are currently in the initial phase of the fourth industrial revolution. The world has witnessed three industrial revolutions over the past 250 years. Industrial revolutions usher in major socio-economic shifts....
Skills of the future: Gaming – the next Frontier
By Kendal Makgamathe Like most kids who grew up in a township in the 90s, Mxolisi Xaba spent his days after school, honing his skills as a gamer. If it wasn’t feeding coin after coin into a hungry slot in an arcade game, it was swooping on his opponents ‘cows’ in a...