The Innovation Hub - a community for creators of the future

Tsietsi Maleho, Acting CEO and Manager: Corporate Affairs
Tsietsi Maleho joined The Innovation Hub in 2001 as Manager of its Empowerment Initiatives programme. He holds a BSc degree from the University of Witwatersrand, and management qualifications from the University of Singapore and Groman Consulting in South Africa. Before joining The Innovation Hub, he was responsible for Government relations at the CSIR and before that for their Outreach Programme. Between 1998 and 2000, he was the Managing Director of the National Year 2000 Decision Support Centre where he had overall responsibility for ensuring that the South African private and public sectors accomplished Y2K compliance. He was also National Coordinator of the Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa and Research and Programme Manager for the Community and Research Information Centre. He is on the Board of Directors of the Expo for Young Scientists and the Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa [PPASA].

Dr Jill Sawers, Manager: Maxum Business Incubator
Jill Sawers joined The Innovation Hub in October 2001, and is the Manager of the Maxum business incubator at The Innovation Hub. Maxum assists high-tech start-up companies establish and grow their businesses in an enabled environment. Jill was formerly Manager of the National Research Foundation's Competitive Industry Programme, and thereafter, the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP). Prior to this she spent five years as the Scientific Assistant in the South African Science and Technology Office in Bonn, Germany. Jill is a founder member and also the first Chair of the South African Business and Technology Incubation Association (SABTIA). She holds a BSc (Microbiology) from Rhodes, and an MBL (cum laude) from Unisa. Jill recently completed a PhD in technology management at the University of Pretoria. Her dissertation, entitled How small and medium sized enterprises can influence the successfulness of a partnership with a large company in the technology innovation sector, looked at how smaller companies can effectively position themselves to successfully interact and work with their large counterparts.

Paul Bisogno, Manager: Marketing, Business Development & Value-Added Services
Paul Bisogno joined the management team in August 2006 as the Business Development, Marketing and Value-added Service Manager. Paul hails from the fair Cape, where as an independent consultant he assisted SMMEs with strategic business interventions ranging from developing marketing strategies and brand value to structuring economies of scale and business process analysis. He has held senior marketing and brand strategist positions in the corporate sector and worked as Brand Strategist and Brand Developer for Capitec Bank, where he was responsible for the successful launch of the brand as well as the operational development of RCS Cards. He holds an MBA in Strategic Marketing from the University of Hull in the UK and qualified as a Chartered Marketer through the Institute of Marketing Management and the Marketing Federation of South Africa. A sports enthusiast and father of 9-year-old son Nicholas, Paul also studied psychology and neuro-kinesiology prior to taking up a position as resident counsellor for four years at the Marsh Memorial Children's Home and Teen-Center for teenage boys in Cape Town.

Anita Masuku, Conference Venue Manager
Anita Masuku joined The Innovation Hub as Conference Venue Manager in April 2005. With over ten years of experience in the hospitality industry, Anita has never been one to turn down a challenge and looks forward to taking the Hub's Conference Venue to new heights. Anita holds a Diploma in Hospitality Management from the American Hotel and Lodging Association in the USA and a Certificate in Public Relations from the London Chamber of Commerce Institute. During her time abroad she worked as Assistant Conference Centre Manager at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in New York. She returned to South Africa with extensive training and experience in conference and events management to join Caesars' Conference Centre. This was followed by an appointment as an Events Coordinator at Dimension Data. She is currently studying towards a Diploma in Marketing Management through the IMM Graduate School of Marketing.

Vusi Mokoka, Property Development and Facility Manager

Mavis Thomani, Chief Financial Officer

Annie Lopes, Conference Coordinator
Annie Lopes is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Hub's conference facility. Prior to joining The Innovation Hub, Annie worked for the Law Society of South Africa's Legal Education and Development (LEAD) Division as a seminar coordinator. She was responsible for the national coordination of seminars aimed at updating practicing attorneys on changes in legislation. Annie is currently studying towards a BA Communication Science.

Gopolang Setumo, Business support Coordinator: Maxum Business Incubator
Gopolang Setumo joined The Innovation Hub in July 2004, as an intern on a secretarial and administration learnership with the Services Seta. She holds a Diploma in Computer Operating from the Computer Training Centre and a Certificate in Purchasing Management from the University of South Africa. She recently completed an Advanced Programme in Sourcing and Supply Chain Management, and is currently studying towards a BCom Degree. Gopolang worked at Telkom for four years as a Buyer and as an Account Manager at Vukani Technologies on a temporary basis for five months.

Lettie Manaiwa, PA : Maxum Incubator
Lettie Manaiwa joined the Innovation Hub in Oct 2005 as a Front desk coordinator. She will be welcoming all the national and international visitors and handling calls for all staff. Annah holds a National Diploma in Public Relation from Tshwane North College. She also accumulated various courses such as Project Management, Secretarial & Computer, Customer Relations, telephone etiquette etc. She worked for the National Coordinating Office for the Manufacturing Advisory Centre from 1998 as a receptionist, and then was promoted as a Personal Assistant to the Relationship and Marketing Executive from 2002 until she resigned in October 2005. In addition to her qualifications she has administration, computer literacy and events management skills. In October 2007, she was appointed as a personal assistant to Maxum Business Incubator.

Busi Ngwenya, Business Support Coordinator: Maxum Business Incubator
Busi Ngwenya joined The Innovation Hub in October 2007 as a Business Support Coordinator at Maxum Business Incubator. She is responsible for leases, event management, handling enquiries, receiving and assessing business plans and assisting with coordination of training programmes and networking events, amongst many other things. Previously, Busi worked for the Competition Commission as the Coordinator: Education and Advocacy. Prior to this she spent five years working for the former Eastern Gauteng Services Council. She has a BTech in Corporate Administration and has completed a course in Basic Public Administration and Advanced Business Communication. Busi has also done training on Competition Law for 7Up which is an international NGO entrusted on building on competition law in Africa.

Jeanette Morwane, Assistant: Corporate Affairs
Jeanette Morwane is the Coordinator of The Innovation Hub Centres of Expertise Programme which is a joint programme between The Innovation Hub and Cooperative Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South Africa. Ms Morwane holds a Bachelor of Arts in Information Science degree from the University of Pretoria and is studying towards a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with the University of South Africa. Jeanette joined The Innovation Hub in 2004 as an assistant for the Corporate Affairs programme. She was part of a consulting team between The Innovation Hub and Technolopolis Plc (a Finnish Science Park) in 2005 to develop a business plan for the creation of Botswana Innovation Hub. She has also been involved in the facilitation of training workshops on science park development with officials from other African countries such as Botswana, Ghana, Senegal, Namibia, Swaziland, etc. Jeanette also attended the Technopolis Plc Open Training for Science and Technology Park Executives held in Helsinki, Finland in October 2007 as part of capacity building for her role as the Coordinator of The Innovation Hub Centres of Expertise Programme. In 2004, she was one of the adjudicators for the Forge Ahead African ICT Achievers Awards.

Johanna Tilodi Mekwa, Operations Coordinator and PA to Marketing, Business Development and Value Added Service Manager
Johanna Tilodi Mekwa joined The Innovation Hub Management Company ( Pty ) Ltd as a front desk coordinator in August 2007. She was manning the reception area in the Innovation Centre, welcoming all the national and international visitors, handling calls for all staff and coordinating the activities of the Hubâ€™s conference facility. Her Secretarial Diploma with Kelly coupled with her passionate personality warranted her position as The Operations Coordinator and PA to Business Development, Marketing and Value-added Service Manger. Prior to joining The Innovation Hub, Johanna worked for ABSA Bank as a Front Desk Consultant in their Card Division for 7 years and also worked temporarily as an Assistant Facilitator for the Asset Management Specialists Company.

Nkhulu Maboya, Assistant: Value Added services, Business Development and Marketing
Nkhulu Maboya joined The Innovation Hub in July 2004 as an intern. He is on a marketing learnership with the Services Seta and is offering support for The Innovation Hub's Marketing and Value-Added Services initiatives. He holds a National Diploma in Management Services from the Tshwane University of Technology. He has also attended courses in MTM-X (Methods Times Measurements) with the Department of Labour.

Mariette Smit, Executive Assistant
Mariette Smit has been Executive Personal Assistant to the CEO of The Innovation Hub since December 1999. Before joining the Hub, Mariette was Personal Assistant to the Director of Business Development: Large Integrated Projects at the CSIR. She was awarded Support Person of the year in July 1997, where she was the Personal Assistant to the Division Director of CSIR Materials Science and Technology. Mariette has attended a number of courses including customer care, quality management, and time and stress management. Mariette's entrepreneurial spirit and interest in natural healing led to the establishment of her own Kinesiology Natural Healing Clinic which she runs in her spare time.

Violet Motiang, Receptionist and Front Desk Coordinator
Violet Motiang joined the Innovation Hub in March this year as a front desk coordinator. Her duties are welcoming all national and international visitors handling calls for all staff and coordinating internal conference bookings. She holds a national diploma in Public Management from Tshwane University of Technology. Prior to joining the Hub she worked as a debtors and administrative clerk for Wertheim- Becker Inc for a period of two years and worked as an administrative clerk for Black Science Technology Engineering Professionals for six months.

Jane Sambo, Corporate Affairs Assistant
Jane Sambo joined the Innovation Hub as the Corporate Affairs Assistant in June 2008. She is providing administrative work, services and support to the Innovation Hub Corporate affairs program. She holds a Diploma in Marketing Management from P. C Training and Business College. She is currently studying towards a B. Com Degree in Marketing Management with the University Of South Africa (UNISA). Jane worked at Ikageng Web Solutions (Branding company), She worked there as a Creative Assistant Administrator. The duration of her employment was four months, and then she later joined the Hub.