Our Council & Board

null

Xola has been instrumental in leading ongoing substantive change and institutional
transformation in Buffalo City through effective leadership and the provision of guidance to municipal officials. He has held numerous leadership roles in various fields.

Cllr. Xola Pakati

SACN Council Chairperson
null

Yolisa has extensive knowledge in the government sector and in public and transport policy, and has wide-ranging experience in integrated transport planning, managing stakeholders and planning and implementing complex and multi-disciplinary capital projects.

Yolisa Kani

SACN Board Chairperson
null

Ashraf has held senior positions at the South African Local Government Association, the Drakenstein Municipality, the Department of Public Works, the Municipal Demarcation Board, the South African Planning Institute and the Commonwealth Association of Planners.

Ashraf Adam

Board Member
null

At afesis-corplan, Nontando deals with matters of local governance and urban settlements, and previously worked with the Urban Services Group and the Academy of Science of South Africa. She has held numerous leadership roles.

Nontando Ngamlana

Board Member
null

A Human Resources and Strategy Specialist with over 20 years of experience working in the Higher Education, Private and Public sector space. Dr Paul is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Resources and Operations at the Central University of Technology (CUT).

Dr. Gary Paul

Board Member
null

Trained in actuarial science, with extensive hands-on experience working in the following areas: data and analytics, retail (private), banking, insurance, investments, financial planning and travel. She is project-oriented, client-focused and makes decisions and sets strategy based on long-term vision, possessing strong consultative and networking skills with the ability to communicate at all levels with both business and technology leaders.

Siobhain O'Mahony

Board Member

Executive Committee

null

Sithole has been with South African Cities Network since 2002 and is arguably one of South Africa’s most knowledgeable people regarding the journey that our current system of local government has travelled, and particularly the evolution of our municipalities.

Sithole Mbanga

CEO
null

Yolisa focuses on financial reporting and compliance, risk management, establishing guidelines for budget and forecast preparation, preparation of annual budgets and ensuring that South African Cities Network’s HR, IT infrastructure and legal needs are met.

Yolisa Dambuza

Executive Manager: Finance and Corporate Services
null

Luncedo has extensive experience in local government, municipal entities and non-profit organisations and has expertise in organisational planning and strategy, corporate governance, communications, stakeholder engagement and partnerships.

Luncedo Njezula

Executive Manager: Governance, Strategy and Partnerships
null

Nosipho is an urbanist with extensive experience in strategy development and implementation. Her focus is program development and evaluation across different sectors, including the built environment, finance, social services and economics in public, private and non-profit industries.

Nosipho Hlatshwayo

Executive Manager: Programmes

Office of The CEO

null

Rebecca is a qualified Project Manager & Business Analyst holding vast experience in Project Management having, implemented a number of Strategic Projects and Programmes at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and previously at Dimension Data.

Rebecca Gatangí

Programme Manager: Innovation
null

Bronwyn has been employed at various property investment companies and holds a qualification in CIS, Chartered Secretarial & Governance as well as an LLB. Bronwyn has a passion for the application of good governance.

Bronwyn Osman

Company Secretary and Legal Advisor
null

Monique is a Human Geographer with diverse and extensive experience in the development sector. Most recently she successfully led the production of the 2021 State of South African Cities Report.

Monique Damons

Project Manager: Innovation
null

Majaha engages with the internal SACN team, its partners, and participating cities to facilitate access to data and information for the maintenance and upkeep of SCODA.

Majaha Dlamini

Urban Data Manager
null

Makhosazane is the Office Manager at South African Cities Network, providing support to the Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Services.

Makhosazane Nxumalo

Office Manager
null

Fleshia is the administration officer at South African Cities Network and has been with organisation for over a year.

Thamaga Mokwana

Administration Officer

Programmes Team

null

Liteboho focuses on the acceleration of sustainability transitions in cities with emphasis of the institutional shifts and governance approaches required for climate resilience, water security, energy diversification and integrated waste management.

Liteboho Makhele

Programme Manager: Sustainable & Resilient Cities
null

Danga focuses on the management of municipal finances, the development of human capacity in the public sector and the participation of vulnerable communities in municipal governance.

Danga Mughogho

Programme Manager: Well-Governed Cities
null

Kgomotso places emphasis on rethinking urban economies, with efforts towards job creation and skills development as well as creating an enabling environment for vibrant and resilient informal and township economies.

Kgomotso Tolamo

Programme Manager: Productive Cities
null

Nicolette focuses on the lack of spatial transformation, exclusion from opportunities, informal settlements, inadequate transport, youth and vulnerable groups’ lack of participation in shaping cities.

Nicolette Pingo

Programme Manager: Inclusive Cities
null

Amanda is the new Senior Urban Policy Analyst and Programme Lead for the Urban Water Resilience Initiative. She has extensive experience in water governance research, policy analysis and implementations within the public and NGO sectors.

Amanda Gcanga

Senior Policy Analyst & Programme Lead, Urban Water Resilience
null

Sadhna coordinates programmes at South African Cities Network by providing support and she assists in the conceptualisation and implementation of all South African Cities Network programme activities.

Sadhna Bhana

Programmes Coordinator

Finance & Corporate Services

null

A qualified CA with 9 years of experience and expertise in accounting and auditing ranging from compilation of financial statements to consolidations and corporate governance compliance.

Sophia Hajee

Financial Accountant
null

Jean has worked predominantly in the accounting firm/auditing firm environment and joined South African Cities Network in April 2019.

Jean Chang

Accountant
null

Clement’s passion is to provide easy-to-understand IT solutions that result in efficient systems and improve business productivity. He provides leadership and technical expertise across the entire technology spectrum.

Clement Mhlekwa

IT Specialist
null

He has considerable knowledge and working experience in the implementation of SCM rules, PPPFMA, BBBEE Act, and Supply Chain Management policies and procedures, as well as handling RFQs, RFPs, and tender processes. He’s also a dedicated, focused, and disciplined supply chain specialist with a track record of designing supply chain procedures and policies that help businesses achieve their objectives.

Jabulani Sandleni

Supply Chain Management Specialist

Governance, Strategy & Partnerships

null

Pholisa is an experienced professional in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and program development. She is passionate about development in Africa and believes that each of us have an obligation to contribute to the creation of a prosperous Africa.

Pholisa Magqibelo

Manager: Stakeholder Relations
null

Lebogang is a Communications Specialist with Built Environment experience in the public and private sectors. She is responsible for South African Cities Network’s marketing and communications.

Lebogang Lechuba

Manager: Marketing and Communications
null

Lwazi is responsible for driving the research agenda of SACN while keeping the focus of the organization and its member cities on the shifts in the complex policy landscape as it affects the business of local government. He brings a vast set of skills and experience in urban planning, international relations, local economic development, stakeholder relations and applied research.

Lwazi Sikiti

Programme Manager: Policy, Research and Advocacy
null

With a background in digital communications and design, Shaun’s core focus is driving the internal and external communications of South African Cities Network across all digital platforms.

Shaun Watson

Multimedia and Communications Specialist
null

Siphelele is a researcher in the Inclusive Cities Programme at South African Cities Network and has a special interest in the interface between urban informality and the world-class aspirations of post-colonial Africa.

Siphelele Ngobese

Researcher
null

Kayla works as a project manager at South African Cities Network, conducting research into the issues and dynamics affecting municipalities and their goals of achieving built environment integration.

Kayla Hanna Brown

Project Manager: Programmes
null

Kopano is an intern in the Productive Cities Programme. His research interests as they relate to development span the areas of urban access and informality, urban politics and governance, migration and gender studies, among others.

Kopano Ntsoane

Junior Researcher: Policy, Research & Advocacy