Our Leaders

Thabang Phala is the Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO) of CyberM8 and a dedicated leader in the ICT sector with a passion for youth development and cybersecurity. With over 12 years of experience, he has been at the forefront of designing impactful cybersecurity training programmes and awareness campaigns, equipping individuals and organisations with the tools to thrive in the digital age. Thabang’s commitment to innovation and empowerment has established him as a recognised thought leader, making significant contributions to both the ICT industry and community development initiatives.

Lumko Mtimde (awards winning), the CEO of Alfred Nzo Development Agency (ANDA) is a former Special Advisor to the Minister in the Presidency, The Presidency, Republic of South Africa, former Special Advisor to the Minister of Employment and Labour. He was a long serving Councillor of the IBA and ICASA, long serving CEO of the MDDA, and served on a number of Boards, including SABC, SENTECH, NSFAS, Brand SA, MICTSETA, ANDA, Ingwe TVET College Council, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Council Committees, Ekurhuleni Housing Company, ECPACC, HSRC, etc.

Over and above advising services, he has served the government at senior level as a Chief of Staff (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and Chief Director responsible for broadcasting policy (Ministry of Communications). Further, he is the former CEO of several public entities, vis MDDA, USAASA, etc. He is a founding member (and first CEO) of the National Community Radio Forum (NCRF), President of the AMARC Africa and Vice-President of AMARC International. A former AZASO (SATISCO), SANSCO, SASPU NEC member and SASCO member, he’s a proud UWC alumnus (BSc Biochemistry and Physiology), and of UNISA (Postgraduate Diploma in ICT Policy and Regulation), Residence assistant, and founding Treasurer (and later Chairperson) of Bush Radio, South Africa’s first community radio station.

Currently registered for a Masters degree with North West University, NWU.

Chartered Accountant (SA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA, CMA), and finance executive with over 21 years of experience in financial reporting, governance, and project finance. Holding both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy, she has held senior finance leadership roles across the energy, engineering, and infrastructure sectors. As financial professional, she provides strategic leadership in statutory reporting, financial governance, and compliance. Nokuthula is passionate about strengthening financial stewardship, developing high-performing teams, and advancing sustainable business practices through sound governance, innovation, and ethical leadership.

Ms Siphokazi Xolisile Novukuza is the Director of Cybersecurity Operations at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies’ Cybersecurity Hub, South Africa’s national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) tasked with coordinating responses to cyber threats and promoting secure online environments.
With over 17 years’ experience in the ICT industry, Siphokazi has deep expertise in cybersecurity and digital forensics and leads national strategic efforts to strengthen cyber defences, threat response frameworks and stakeholder engagement across government, private sector and civil society.
She is the Chairperson of the SADC Regional CIRT Task Force. She also serves at the Borad of Advisors for Township Tech Talks.
Siphokazi also represents South Africa on cybersecurity issues at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is a member of the OpenWallets Forum Government Consultative Committee (GCC), focusing on international digital public infrastructure matters. Her work includes advancing cybersecurity awareness initiatives in schools in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, equipping learners and educators with essential digital safety skills. Lead on the Child Online Protection at ITU-SG17.
She holds a Master’s in Information Technology (Software Development) and is currently a Master’s Candidate in Development Policy and Practice at the University of Cape Town. She was names as a Top 100 leader in Digital Transformation and Top 100 leader in Cybersecurity 2026 respectively. Wired4Women CISO of the year finalist 2026.

Dr. Xolile Sibande is a cybersecurity executive, advisor, researcher, mentor, and philanthropist with experience across the public and private sectors. She has led information security, cyber risk, governance, and digital resilience initiatives across multiple industries, helping organisations strengthen resilience, enable digital transformation, and align security with business strategy.

She holds a PhD in Management and a Master of Commerce in Information Systems from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and holds several international
certifications in cybersecurity, governance, and technology.

Beyond her professional career, Dr. Sibande is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals, advising organisations on cybersecurity and governance, and giving back through community and professional initiatives. She is committed to advancing the cybersecurity profession by fostering collaboration, developing future leaders, and creating meaningful impact within the industry and society.

Adv Dirontsho Mohale is the Chief Privacy GREC, Legal and Executive Officer at Baakedi Professional Practice, a global female wholly owned and managed consulting firm headquartered in South Africa.

She is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of SA, designated Fellow in Information Privacy (CIPP/E and CIPM) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, a Fellow member of the
Compliance Institute of Southern Africa and designated CPrac (SA), International Certified Compliance Practitioner as per the International Federation of Compliance Associations), and a FAIS Compliance Officer approved by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.

Adv Mohale holds an LLB degree, postgraduate diplomas in Compliance Management and Senior Management Development Programme from the Unisa, University of Johannesburg and Regent Business School respectively. She has completed data protection courses at University of Pretoria and Strathmore University in Kenya.
Dirontsho has worked in senior management positions, locally and internationally, and has over 20 years’ experience as a compliance officer as well risk, governance and legal. She has occupied compliance roles in some of South Africa’s major banks and leading insurance companies, including Liberty, Absa, FNB, Discovery Group, Information Regulator SA, Standard Bank Group.
She holds a PhD in Management and a Master of Commerce in Information Systems from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and holds several international
certifications in cybersecurity, governance, and technology.

Beyond her professional career, Dr. Sibande is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals, advising organisations on cybersecurity and governance, and giving back through community and professional initiatives. She is committed to advancing the cybersecurity profession by fostering collaboration, developing future leaders, and creating meaningful impact within the industry and society.

Professor Sizwe Snail ka Mtuze is a renowned expert in Cyberlaw and AI law, holding a prestigious position as Professor of Law at a top South African university. He teaches and conducts research in Cyberlaw, AI law, and Data Protection. As a Visiting Professor at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he shares his expertise with students and faculty.

His impressive background includes serving as a Member of the Information Regulator of South Africa from 2016 to 2021, where he played a crucial role in shaping the country's data protection and privacy landscape. He was also a key contributor to the drafting of South Africa's Cybercrimes Act, serving on the advisory committee responsible for shaping this critical legislation.

Adv Nandipha Ntsaluba is an accomplished Educationist and legal expert in Vocational and Higher Education and training, Regulation of Private Education Provision in South Africa, IP, defence, cybersecurity, and data privacy policy. She is an admitted legal practitioner who currently lectures in the Department of Mercantile Law at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She is currently teaching subjects in IP, corporate law, and ICT/cyber law and is also involved in the institutionalization of the UNISA’s Catalytic Niche Areas within Maritime, Aviation, and Aeronautical Studies, Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolution, and digitalization. She is also involved in the recirculation of military law programmes within UNISA. She is a member of the UNISAResearch Ethics Committee and participates in the AI Task Team and Global Skills Development Programme on GenAI. She holds at least fifteen (15 ) academic qualifications spanning business, law, Science and education, including four master’s degrees, namely, an MBL from the UNISA School of Business Leadership, an MEd in systems design and comparative Education from UFS, and two LLMs in IP, Cyber, and Extractive Industries Law from the University of Pretoria. In 2025, she acquired the WTO /Havard Law School Certificate on Patent Law and Global Public Health “PatentX’’. She has presented at domestic and international Webinars and Conferences on Data Adequacy and data Privacy, cybersecurity, IP implications of MV Memorialisation and Honoring and AI legislative posture as well as lawful processing of data during drone deployments, fit for purpose resource strategic budgeting as well as developments within the Public Procurement legislative trajectory ”dealing with tension in the text”. Throughout her long and illustrious career, Adv Ntsaluba has accrued an impressive array of achievements, including establishing the Department of Military Veterans, leading the SANDF’s parliamentary engagement team on the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Bill, and participating in developing various legislation, including the development of the Public Procurement Act 2024 and the ensuing delegated legislation. She has served various roles in international and domestic professional and policy bodies including ICANN, ZAIGF, and AIPLTIL, among others. She is a 2023 AFiCTA Africa Community Development Award Winner within ICT, cybersecurity and domain name discourse. A the head of the logistic Committee of the CLAW Digital Technology Conference 2026 , a ground breaking multidisciplinary cross sectoral transnational conference was delivered

Lufuno T. Tshikalange is an admitted Trust Account Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and a cyber governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) expert. She is an award-winning Founder and Executive Director of Orizur Consulting Enterprise, specialising in integrating regulatory compliance, cybersecurity architectures, ICT governance, and emerging technology frameworks. Driven by a mission to build resilient, secure, and compliant digital ecosystems across the African continent, her multidisciplinary competence uniquely bridges the gap between complex legal principles, technical standards, and institutional governance. Lufuno holds key institutional appointments in governance, also serving as the Chairperson of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) TC0001/SC 27 Information Security Committee (an ISO/IEC mirror committee). Her professional focus includes translating complex technical concepts into enforceable legal and policy frameworks, with a specific emphasis on AI governance, infrastructure security, and data sovereignty.

Dr Makaziwe Makamba is a dynamic Digital Transformation Consultant with over 17 years of experience leading innovative technical solutions for organizations. She has blended plethora of experience from private sector, academia and public sector. She is a founder and executive director of Rise Science NPO, a digital transformation consultant and a 4IR research specialist.
Dr Makamba worked as a director for digital transformation at the National School of Government (NSG) in South Africa, where she worked with various OEMs and fostered national and global collaborations with Multinationals to drive digital transformation forward and capacitate the state with essential digital skills to ensuring that public sector is not left behind. She has provided contribution in development of digital transformation strategy, data strategy and align it with business objectives of the organization to accelerate the execution and minimize the silos within the organization while making informed decision using data.
She also worked as a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Research Expert /Director, specialising
in Computer Science (4IR Research Expert - Computer Science), at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) in South Africa, where she was involved on the plethora of programmes looking at governance, policy and use of technology (emerging technologies) in acceleration socio-economic development. She has also worked at the Centre for Fourth industrial revolution (C4IR, SA) South Africa, as a senior researcher.
She also worked fro CSIR and Telkom SA.
Dr Makamba is a chairperson of HRSEC and Audit and Risk Committee member. She also serves as advisory board in some universities. She is also a board member for Township Tech organization. Dr Makamba was also part of the people that provided the inputs on the Draft recommendations on the ethics of AI for UNESCO. Dr Makamba has been invited by UNESCO to provide a talk on various events such as capacity building on AI and Digital Transformation for Civil Servants and ethical use of AI. She has been involved in various AI developmental work for the Southern Africa region. She has been involved on the AI dialogues and AI initiatives across the globe to deliberate on AI benefits to society, economy and risks involved with this cross-cutting sectorial technology. She also contributed to both national and international platforms in technology discussions, specifically on the 4IR technology discussions and the impact of technology in driving socio-economic development.

Dr Makamba was recently invited by U.S. Department of State, together with the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center to attend and discuss at OECD Working Party on AI governance discussions in AI Paris, France and also in Cape Town , South Africa to provide some expertise on AI use cases and to explore opportunities and challenges around implementation of AI for economic development.
Dr Makamba holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Her areas of interest include but not limited to; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, E-services, System Integration, Internet of Things (IoT), and Information and

executive director of an NPO called Rise Science, that focuses on educating young people about technology in undeserved areas. Her inextinguishable passion comes from her belief in the power of technology to solve socio-economic challenges.

Dr Makamba has also worked with EU member state developing and leading an AI guideline for South Africa. She has won a Trailblazer awards in ICT, Africa 2024. She has been named as Top 50 Digital Transformation leader, 2025. Has been nominated in various national and international awards such as global women in tech award 2025 and Inspiring Fifty 2020. She has won a Women in Tech Excellence Award 2026 from SAICTA. She has also won a best Identity & access management solution award from Cyber Secure Summit, South Africa 2026. Dr Makamba has also been nominated and shortlisted for Women in Business by African Business Chamber (AFBC) award 2026.