Voices Driving Innovation

Speakers

SA Innovation Week brings together leading thinkers, innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders who are shaping the future of innovation in South Africa and beyond. Our speakers share insights, experiences, and bold ideas that inspire collaboration, unlock opportunity, and turn research and innovation into real-world impact.

SA Innovation Week Speakers
Prof De Wet Swanepoel

University of Pretoria

Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Jamie Thurston Wyngaard

Loop

Co-Founder

Timothy Maurice Webster

Applied Neuroscience Practitioner, and Brand Psychology Expert

Behavioral Psychology Author

Keshni Morar

Founder Institute South Africa

Managing Director

Mali Mothiba

Equate Group

Founding Partner and CEO

Zahra Baitie-Boateng

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH)

Managing Director

Vannie Pillay

Oaktree People Solutions

CEO & MD

Prof. Tulio de Oliveira

Stellenbosch University

Director: Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI)

Toto Matshediso

Department of Science, Technology and Innovation

Director: Global Projects

Thato Mthombeni

Entertainer and AGA(SA)

Radio Presenter

Sarah Findlay

Open Cities Lab

Impact Lead

Reggie Mohlabi

Content Creator and Creative Strategist

Media Personality

Reabetswe Mjekevu

Investment Professional

Palesa Mabasa

FNB

Business Development Head

Nontombi Maseko

Department of Trade, Industry and Competition

Director: Innovation and Technology Policy & Strategy

Nick Allen

Savant Venture Fund

Managing Partner

Munaka Muthambi

Viral Afrika

Founder

Michelle Expert

Resonate Communications (Pty) Ltd

Founder & CEO

Malloron Nair

Disraptor

Co-Founder

Lusapho Njenge

Exxaro Resources

Managing Social Impact and Performance

Lilah Clark

Johannesburg Stock Exchange

SME Development Manager

Klariska Moodley

UNICEF South Africa

Innovation Specialist

KK Diaz

A-Game Business

CEO

Keorapetse Moiloa

Exxaro Resources

Lead Open Innovation

Jeffrey Mphahlele

North-West University

Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Community Engagement & Postgraduate Studies

Jason Bygate

Capacitate Social Solutions

Founder

Gian-Marco Melfi

Partner: OneBio Venture Studio

Co-founder: OneBio Innovation Centre

Botlhale Boikanyo

Botlhale Boikanyo Foundation

Founder

Dr Andrew Bailey

University of Cape Town

Research Contracts & Innovation

Alana Kruger

Impact Finance Network, Anglo American

Contributor

Afia Akosah Bempah

Open Cities Lab

Junior Developer

Bakang Tshepo Moetse

Bahale Africa

Founder

Rene Parker

RLabs: Co-Founder & Director

Board Chair: AfriLabs

Kurhula Baloyi

Sum1 Investments

Founder

Nandi Mtethwa

RIIS

Engagement Manager

Candice Chirwa

QRATE

Founder