The Innovation Hub - a community for creators of the future

Tsietsi Maleho, Acting CEO
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].

Thibi Matshele, Chief Operating Officer
Thibi Matshele, Chief Operating Officer at The Innovation Hub Management Company, formed part of the original Hub Team that was instrumental in starting the science park planning-and-piloting at the CSIR Pilot Site. He played a key role in Brand Development and Market Positioning of The Innovation Hub. This included marketing activities to educate the market on the benefits of a science park and, ultimately, positioning The Innovation Hub as the right business address for technology development, testing and piloting. Thibi Matshele has lead and facilitated various strategy review and alignment processes including, business transformation. He was General Manager at the FDC (Free-State Development Corporation), Business Development and Marketing Manager at The Innovation Hub, Municipal Manager at the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, and Chief Director at provincial government level.

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 Marketing Management from the IMM Graduate School of Marketing, 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. Currently she is studying torwards a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with Milpark Business School. 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.

Vusi Mokoka, Property Development and Facility Manager
Vusumuzi "Vusi" Mokoka joined the Innovation Hub in April 2008 as the Facilities Manager. He is responsible for the management of properties, administration for new building developments, overseeing premise installation and maintenance plans as well as maintaining customer relations. He holds a Diploma in Architectural Draughtsmanship from Technikon Witwatersrand and he completed a Career Development Programme at Yale University, USA. Vusi has vast experience in the architectural environment - he progressed from general architecture to retail, banking and industrial architecture through Rhodes-Harrison, Fee and Bold: Consulting Architects, OK Bazaars Ltd, First National Bank and Rand Water where he was responsible for designing the elements and producing drawings for development projects. He then advanced to a Project Leadership position at Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) where he managed the development of new retail space in the International Terminal. He was later appointed as the Senior Facilities Manager at Metropolitan Property Services (Pty) Ltd managing properties. His last job prior to joining The Innovation Hub was as at Dynamic SpaceWorx, as a partner, and he was responsible for marketing and growing the business. He is a member of the South African Institute on Architectural Technologists; South African Council of Architectural Profession and the South African Facilities Management Association. Vusi is passionate about sports, he cycles and has run the Comrade's fifteen times. He enjoys reading, traveling and watching soccer.

Patricia Dlamini, Maxum Business Incubator Manager
Patricia Dlamini joined the Innovation Hub in July 2008 as Manager of Maxum Business Incubator. She is responsible for all strategic operations, stakeholder relationship management, policy and programme development to further sustain and grow the unit which includes the CoachLab Programme Student Leadership Development Programme. She holds a B.Com (Accounting) from the University of Swaziland. She added the following skills to her portfolio: Business Incubator Management from InfoDEV, Strategic Brand Management from Vega and she is presently pursuing a Programme in Management Development (PMD) with the University of Pretoria through Gordon Institute of Business Sciences. Before joining the Innovation Hub, Patricia has wide experience in the field of business incubation, having been employed as the SME Services Manager for the Durban Technology Hub (SmartXchange) from October 2005. Her roles included facilitating the development of SMMEs by providing guidance, mentoring, coaching, and business health monitoring to ensure entrepreneurial success. Prior to that she owned and managed a one stop-shop for health therapies, Integrated Health Centre for two years. Her longest servicing job was as Practice Manager on Occupational Health Services from 1994 to 2003. Patricia has been involved in a number of social projects in her career; serving voluntarily in the executive council of The Order of St John for 8 years, forming part of the organizing team in the International Women's Day festivities in 2005 and a Board member for Rise and Shine School for Cerebral Palsied Children. Patricia has been a Member of the Business Advisory Board, Students in Free Enterprise based in universities (SIFE UKZN) since 2007 and a mentor in the Durban Chamber/ SEDA SAPLATO Mentorship Programme. In 2001 she received a prestigious award of The Dignity of the Serving Sister in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II who is the Sovereign Head of the said Order, this was through her selfless involvement with The Order of St John.

Mavis Thomani, Chief Financial Officer
Mavis Thomani joined the Innovation Hub in May 2008 as the Chief Financial Officer. She is responsible for financial management functions; budgets, stakeholder relationship management and assessment of staff performances and training requirements. Mavis holds a BCom in Accounting from the University of Witwatersrand and a Bcompt (Hons) from UNISA. Through the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and Public Accountant and Auditors Boards (PAAB) she qualified for a Chartered Accountancy qualification. Mavis serves her articles in one of the big accounting firm from 1997 until beginning of 2000. Between 2000 and 2003, she was employed at South African Revenue Services (SARS) as an Internal Auditor in the Internal Audit department and was later promoted to Project Leader, then Internal Audit Manager. Mavis then proceeded to Pioneer Foodsâ€“SASKO Milling as the Financial Manager responsible for managing the accounts and internal reviews/audits of 21 depots. Her last job prior to joining the Innovation Hub was at Datacentrix where she was employed as Group Financial Manager for two years. Before joining the Innovation Hub, she was also appointed as a Company Secretary for Datatentrix since October 2007. Mavis is a member of the Cluster Audit and Risk Committee for SENERI & AF, a subsidiary of CEF (Pty) Ltd.

Jeanette Morwane, Manager : Activator
Jeanette Morwane is the Manager of Activator which is a joint programme between The Innovation Hub and Cooperative Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South Africa (COFISA). Jeanette 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. She joined The Innovation Hub in 2004 as a project officer in the Corporate Affairs programme where she helped in conceptualizing and developing the Activator and Tshwane Smart City Project as The Hubâ€™s Regional Innovation System programme. Jeanette was also part of a consulting team between The Innovation Hub and Technolopolis Plc (a Finnish Science Park) to develop a business plan for the creation of Botswana Innovation Hub in 2006. 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 has 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, Ms. Morwane was one of the adjudicators for the Forge Ahead African ICT Achievers Awards.

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.

Brenda Maripane, Property Administrator
Brenda Maripane is currently working as a Property Administrator at The Innovation Hub. Prior to this, she was appointed by AgrÃ©ment South Africa (Entity of Department of Public Works) dealing in assessments of innovative construction products as a Technical Group Assistant, PA to the CEO of AgrÃ©ment South Africa. During her employment with AgrÃ©ment South Africa she liaised with the sister entities of the Department of Public Works and the Independent Development Trust (IDT). She obtained her certificate in Office Administration and is currently studying towards her National Diploma in Office Management and Technology with the University of South Africa. Brendaâ€™s extended fields of experience are in office administration, personnel management, business administration, marketing, events coordination, construction, financial management and knowledge in government policies and systems.

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.

Francine Chirambo, Accountant
Francine Chirambo joined the Innovation Hub in November 2008 as Financial Accountant. Prior to joining the Innovation hub, she worked for the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) as Knowledge Management Systems Co-ordinator and later as Financial Assistant. At the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR), she worked as Executive Assistant and finally worked at the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) as Project Administrator (Finance and Administration).She holds a Diploma in Computer Systems Analysis and Design from Protheta Computing Institute (Association of Computer Professionals), Certificates in Computer Programming, E-technology computing, Business Management, Bookkeeping and Records Management. She has also attained certificates in Acppac and Pastel Accounting. She recently completed a Programme in Financial Management from the University of South Africa is currently studying towards a B.Com degree in Financial Management.

Gift Mphefu , Head of ICT for the Tshwane Smart City Project Office
Gift Mphefu joined the Innovation Hub in February 2009 as Head of ICT for the Tshwane Smart City Project Office. His mission is to assist the City of Tshwane to act as an enabler of cost-effective Broadband Services to the Residents, Schools, Tertiary Institutions, Research Institutions, and Business Community, as well as optimise the utilisation of City's ICT infrastructure. Prior to joining the Innovation Hub, Gift worked for Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa. Gift is proud to have used his business and technical expertise to assist various Telco Operators through-out Sub-Saharan Africa to evolve their legacy systems to State-of-Art Networks. He holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering (UKZN), Certificate Course in Wireless Telephony (UP), and currently finalising a Thesis for his Masters in Engineering Management Degree with the Graduate School of Technology Management at the University of Pretoria. Gift is a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers.

Mbali Nkomonde, Regional Innovation Programme Administrator
Mbali Nkomonde joined The Innovation Hub in March 2009 as the Regional Innovation Programme Administrator, working on The Tshwane Smart City Project and The Activator Programme. Having worked for the Durban Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, she helped develop businesses, initiate relationships between local communities, the Private businesses and the City and was the Chairperson of the Chamber Women's Forum. Mbali was the Centre Manager for Future Leaders, a youth organisation based in Kwazulu Natal developing programs ranging from Entrepreneurship, Career development, Skills Development, Moral regeneration as well as programs with LESA (Law, Economic and Social Activists) from Atlanta. She has obtained her Personnel and Training Management Diploma from Damelin College, Child and Youth Care Development from Natal Technikon (now DUT). She is currently studying Bcom Entrepreneurship.

Thami Sidinile, Conference Venue Co-ordinator
Nomathamsanqa "Thami" Sidinile joined The Innovation Hub in April 2009 as Conference Venue Co-ordinator. Prior to joining Thami studied towards her Bcompt degree serving in several reputable companies. After being bitten by the "Communications bug" and before serving her articles Thami took up the position of Client Relations Manager for a company based in Sandton (JHB), coordinating events for major insurance companies in Southern Africa. Thami is currently studying towards her BA Communication Science degree at The University of South Africa.