The Innovation Hub - a community for creators of the future

Haresh Haricharun, Chief Executive Officer
Haresh Haricharun, 41, joined The Innovation Hub as CEO on 12 October 2009. He has been warmly welcomed as a leader with the vision and drive to position The Innovation Hub globally as a leading young Science Park. Prior to joining The Innovation Hub, Haresh was the Chief Physicist: Engineering in the Nuclear Programmes Division at Eskom Enterprises and a member of the assessment team handling international bids for the Nuclear-1 multi-billion dollar construction of nuclear capacity for South Africa. While at the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) he served as the Director of Nuclear Technology responsible for the multi-billion dollar PBMR (Pebble Bed Modular Reactor) nuclear energy project, acted as project director for NECSA with oversight of 2 500 employees and contractors, and managed nuclear technology matters for the IAEA (International Atomic Enegy Agency based in Wien, Austria). He also served as a non-Executive Director of the NECSA Board (Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa). Haresh graduated in 1993 with a MSc (Cum Laude) from the University of Durban-Westville, in association with the University of the Witwatersrand and the Max Planck Institüt für Metalforschung in Stuttgart, Germany. He also holds an international certificate in project management from the KOICA Institute in South Korea. His management experience includes corporate governance and business turnaround interventions; strategic policy formulation and systems development; financial analysis, investment promotion and enterprise financing; and business efficiency and performance management. Career highlights include international recognition in the field of nuclear energy, faclitating bilateral and multilateral international cooperation agreements and coordinating turnaround strategies for major corporations and subsidiaries locally. Haresh is passionate about mentoring entrepreneurs, a skill which he believes can constructively be brought to bear at The Innovation Hub. "I believe in creating productive partnerships with bright companies and scientific and education institutions to increase South Africa's innovative capacity."

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.

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.

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.

Tsietsi Maleho, Manager : Regional Innovation Services
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].

Petro Dednam, Manager : Finance
Petro has been a Financial Manager for most of her working career. She has managed various teams and assisted in the process of Human Resource Development in this role. As part of a Management Team, Petro is comfortable in a team environment and show strong leadership qualities if and when the situation requires it. Petro describes herself as a systematic person that prefers to work according to well established processes and procedures to attain required results. Petro and her husband take pride in supporting their daughter in her horse riding and, in this capacity Petro has acted as secretary to the judges at Showing & Show Jumping shows.

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.

Vusi Mokoka, Manager : Property Development and Facilities
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.

Thami Sidinile, Acting Manager : Conference Venue
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.

Connie Makanye, Manager : Business Relationships
Mmaeshadi Connie Makanye joined The Innovation Hub in September 2009 as a Business Relationship Manager. Prior to joining TIH; she was with Gauteng Enterprise Propeller where she worked as an Information Officer and was later promoted to Business Relationship Manager Position, she was with GEP for five years. Before joining GEP she was a Public Relations Officer for Gauteng Manufacturing Advisory Centre and a Publicity Coordinator for Statistics South Africa. Connie studied Public Relations and Communication through the then Technikon Witwatersrand and Tshwane University of Technology respectively. She is currently busy with her Communication Research Programme.

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 Assistant : COO and Facilities Manager
Brenda Maripane is currently working as a Property Assistant 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.

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.

Johanna Tilodi Mekwa, PA : 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 Assistant: Marketing, Business Development and Value Added He holds a National Diploma in Management Services from the Tshwane University of Technology. Also with TUT, he completed the following courses: Research Methodology, Advanced Strategic Management and Management Economics. He has also attended and completed short courses in MTM-X (Methods Times Measurements), Project Management, Business Management and Marketing. He worked for SASCO TUT as a Marketing Coordinator (2000 to 2001) and operated a community based business before joining The Innovation Hub.

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.

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.

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.