Benjamin Shaw is the founder of HouseME and a seasoned entrepreneur in the property technology sector. Formerly an investment banker, he now thrives as a private equity and venture capital professional at EXEO Capital. Benjamin co-authored The First Kudu and shares invaluable insights on resilience in entrepreneurship at panel discussion.
Dr. Nontobeko Mabizela is a distinguished leader and passionate advocate for youth entrepreneurship, currently serving as the CEO of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Her career is marked by a fervent commitment to empowering young people within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a strong focus on alleviating poverty and enhancing socio-economic conditions in South Africa. Dr. Mabizela's leadership and vision are instrumental in driving impactful initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and socio-economic growth.
Charleen Duncan is the Head of Programmes at Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Her current role is to lead, direct and develop the senior leadership team through strategy formulation, talent management and operational excellence.
Nontando Mthethwa is the Head of Public Affairs and Communications at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. She is responsible for the Foundation’s internal and external strategy communications, coordination and facilitation of organisational partnerships, advocacy and strategic stakeholder engagement in addition to brand and reputation management.
Jalal Ghiassi-Razavi is the Programme Director at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, responsible for Entrepreneurship Education. He holds a BSc in Mechatronics, a PGDMP (cum laude), and an MBA (cum laude). With experience in startup development and the non-profit sector, Jalal also serves as chairman of Wordworks, focusing on early childhood literacy. He is a passionate entrepreneur, investor, and venture builder.
Suzie Nkambule is a rising star in the South African water sector, known for her disruptive and entrepreneurial approach. Previously a Director at Aveng Africa, Suzie's leadership and vision led her to partner with E2 Investments to acquire the Aveng Water business she spearheaded. This bold move resulted in the birth of Nafasi Water, with Suzie taking the helm as CEO. Nafasi Water is making significant strides in the field of water reclamation and desalination, tackling the critical challenge of water security in South Africa. Suzie's expertise and dedication to this vital area position her as a leader driving innovation and sustainable solutions for the future.
Miles Kubheka, the entrepreneur, refreshing keynote speaker and author, is the poster child for the audacity of hope. Having once been employed by a leading multinational, he went out on a limb and ingeniously created a restaurant with the same name and branding as a fictional restaurant portrayed in a famous ‘beeg beeg dreamer’ TV ad campaign. In doing so, he catapulted into media stardom, and soon translated his innovative thinking into entrepreneurial success.
Dr. Mmaki Jantjies is a visionary leader at the forefront of technological innovation and social impact in South Africa. As Group Executive of Innovation and Transformation at Telkom, she leverages her extensive experience and expertise to unlock opportunities for the nation's future.
Dr. Kavisha Nandhlal is a distinguished expert in innovation and sustainable development, holding an MBA and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). As the Director at The Innovation Space, she spearheads initiatives that integrate cutting-edge design thinking methodologies to drive impactful and sustainable solutions. Dr. Nandhlal is renowned for her expertise in leveraging design thinking to address complex global challenges, particularly those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her master class, "Driving Impact - Leveraging Design Thinking for the SDGs," provides participants with practical insights and hands-on activities to explore how design thinking can be effectively utilized to create meaningful change in communities and beyond.
Master Class: Navigating the Gray – Ethical Decision-Making in Business Leroy Marc is a multifaceted professional excelling in law, content creation, marketing, and media. An admitted attorney since January 2014, Leroy completed his articles of clerkship at Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, gaining expertise in General Insurance Litigation, Public Interest Law, Commercial Litigation, and Banking and Finance. His diverse background also includes roles as a content creator, brand enthusiast, and features writer with a keen interest in current affairs, marketing, […]
Nokuhle Kumalo's impressive background includes successfully completing her CA(SA) articles at Deloitte South Africa. This experience equipped her with a deep understanding of the industry and fostered a valuable network of professional contacts. Driven by a desire to empower others, Nokuhle leverages her expertise through the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. With a focus on becoming a high-impact entrepreneur, she is actively involved in initiatives promoting financial literacy.
Mogen Naidoo is not just an entrepreneur, he's a bridge builder. He helps businesses in Africa and beyond navigate the gap between ideas and success. Leveraging his expertise in cutting-edge technologies and a passion for scaling, he empowers companies to thrive in the digital age.
Principal at E4E Africa, a Cape Town-based entrepreneur-centric VC firm, Bakang is a seasoned investment professional specializing in private equity and venture capital across Africa. With a background that includes senior roles at a pan-African gender-lens focused PE fund and an associate position at a global real estate fund valued at $100 billion, he brings extensive expertise in strategic investment and deal execution. Bakang holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Harvard University.
Mitchan Adams is a partner at Conducive Capital and Aions Ventures, known for his expertise in tech and finance. Co-founder of Imvelo Ventures, he is dedicated to supporting startups in Africa with strategic guidance and resources, focusing on fintech and venture capital. Mitchan holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town and is a prominent speaker on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Selebogo Dr LifesGud Molefe is the Managing Director of The Biz Plug, passionately empowering Indigenous communities across Africa through entrepreneurship, mentorship, and investment. Recognized for his advocacy of community-centric economic change, Selebogo is a respected leader and mentor, shaping the future of sustainable development on the continent.
Sechaba Selialia is a strategy professional at Oliver Wyman with over a decade of experience in financial services, entrepreneurship, and management consulting. As a Purpose Strategist and Author, he empowers individuals to discover and integrate their life's purpose. His book, "Where Purpose Meets Productivity," offers a practical guide to aligning passion with achievement. Sechaba is a sought-after speaker dedicated to helping others find fulfillment and reach their full potential.
Oliver is an accredited Design Thinking coach at the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at the University of Cape Town. He has worked with both students and professionals to build their creative confidence and challenge their mental models and frames of reference in order to create space for new ways of thinking and being
Rob designs and facilitates workshops to help teams use Human-Centred Design to develop new solutions to wicked problems, and to practice the mindsets required to innovate in increasingly complex and ambiguous environments.
Shaun Coetzee is a distinguished investment professional currently serving as the Senior Investment Manager at E Squared Investments, a role he has excelled in since September 2022. Based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, Shaun is dedicated to driving impactful investments that foster growth and innovation across various sectors.
Thandeka is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Digital Africa Ventures a pan-African venture capital fund investing in technology businesses founded by underrepresented founders at the Seed stage.