SWAN Cape Town Workshop Speakers

Sean has honours, masters and PhD degrees in engineering and a Master of Management in public and development management. He has spent more than 20 years working in senior management positions across the three spheres of government. He has been Head of Department of the Limpopo Department of Public Works and Roads; Chief Operations Officer of the national Department of Public Works; Director General of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency; CEO of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency; and Managing Director of the Johannesburg Road Agency. He spent several years working in the Government Technical and Advisory Centre in National Treasury, supporting various efforts to improve government performance. Recently he has worked on the Infrastructure Fund at the DBSA and Operation Vulindlela unit in National Treasury. Since January 2022 he has been the Director General of Water and Sanitation. The common thread across his career has been his interest in how to improve government performance.

Mike is the Program Manager of the 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG). Mike leads WRG’s mission to help governments, companies, and civil society address water risks impacting food, cities, and ecosystems. His role supports the World Bank’s growing emphasis on partnering with the private sector to advance water security.

Before joining WRG, Mike served as the Executive Director of the Water and Sanitation Directorate for the City of Cape Town, South Africa, where he led the City’s response to the 2015-17 drought by implementing a comprehensive water security strategy. Prior to his role in Cape Town, Mike worked for the World Bank for 16 years as a water and sanitation specialist, based in Washington, DC, New Delhi, and Harare.

Shiwa is a Civil Engineering Water Technologist with over a decade of experience in water resource management and applied research. Currently, she serves as a Research Engineer at NamWater, where she leads initiatives to improve water quality, integrate climate resilience strategies, and evaluate innovative technologies. Her expertise includes project management, technology assessment, and stakeholder engagement, with achievements such as dam siltation surveys, renewable energy integration, and desalination research. She has piloted and evaluated the use of handheld water meter reading technologies and is currently driving a smart water metering pilot project to enhance operational efficiency.

Shiwa holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Resources Management from Namibia University of Science & Technology and a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering: Water. She is passionate about leveraging technology and sustainability to improve water access and quality, and I actively contribute to policy development and industry committees.

Eng. Daniel Ng’ang’a is the Emeritus Chairman of The Water Service Providers Association of Kenya (WASPA), He is the governing member of the International Water Association(IWA) representing Kenya, Male champion Women in Water & Sanitation (WIWAS) and the Managing Director of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company Limited.

He has more than 18 years of experience in the Design, Development and Management of water and sanitation utilities in major towns in Kenya. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from JKUAT, Registered by Engineer Board of Kenya(EBK) and an active corporate member of the Institute of Engineers of Kenya(IEK), he also has an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA), Masters in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Community Development from ABMA (Uk). He has been ateam leader, player and a change agent in the implementation of water sector reforms since enactment of water act 2002 and the devolved system of governance as a result of the Constitution of Kenya(COK 2010).

Annesley Crisp is the Strategic Innovation Manager at Anglian Water, where she leads the development and delivery of the company’s innovation strategy. She has managed major initiatives such as the Shop Window Smart Water Systems Programme, applying digital technologies, AI and machine learning to enhance efficiency, optimise water supply, and reduce environmental impact.

With previous experience at the City of Cape Town’s Department of Water and Sanitation, as well as in environmental impact assessment and urban water research, Annesley brings a global perspective to water innovation and resilience. She is passionate about collaboration across sectors to accelerate sustainable solutions.

Nishendra is the CEO of the Economic Development Partnership (EDP), an independent, public-benefit, collaborative intermediary organisation that designs, convenes, and enables partnering processes to address society’s most pressing development challenges. An urban governance specialist and transformational leader, Nishendra has over 30 years of experience in the development sector in South Africa, with a focus on local government. He has held a range of roles across the private, non-profit and public sectors, consistently aimed at strengthening collaborative governance, evidence-based policy development, and mutual accountability.

Nishendra holds an MPA in Governance from the University of Western Cape and is a co-author of ‘Building a Capable State – Service Delivery in Post-Apartheid South Africa’. He continues to play an active voluntary leadership role in civil society, with an emphasis on initiatives that seek to bring the state and citizens together.

Joyce Bakiire is a seasoned Commercial, Customer Service, Revenue & Business Growth, and Stakeholder Communications Expert with over two decades of leadership experience at National Water & Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), one of Africa’s leading water utilities. She currently serves as Senior Manager, Training & Capacity Development, where she champions Competency-Based Training programs, Vocational skilling for staff,Tailor made Trainings, e-learning integration, and strategic partnerships to professionalize water and sanitation services. She previously served as Senior Manager Commercial & Customer Care Services, driving revenue growth, customer service transformation, and stakeholder engagement reforms.

Joyce holds an MBA with Distinction and a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring & Evaluation. She has led Commercial reforms and digital communication strategies in some utilities across Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, and Ivory Coast, strengthening institutional performance and service delivery.

Hennie Human leads EY Africa Consulting, guiding a diverse sector portfolio spanning Financial Services, Consumer Industries, Energy, and Government & Infrastructure. He oversees teams that design and deliver end‑to‑end, transformative solutions across Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Customer & Growth, Technology & Trusted Intelligence, Organisation & Culture, and Cyber – helping organisations shape transformative business outcomes with confidence.

A highly experienced transformation leader, Hennie has stewarded complex, large‑scale programmes across power and water utilities and other industries. His leadership approach is anchored in performance and strategic execution, underpinned by a culture of trust, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning – reflecting EY’s belief in orchestrating the right expertise, capabilities and partnerships to create extraordinary value.

Hennie is committed to operational excellence, exceptional client service and developing diverse, future‑ready leaders who help organisations navigate disruption, build resilience and unlock long‑term, sustainable growth across the continent.

Africa Melane is the host of the Early Breakfast Show on CapeTalk and 702. In this role, he has interviewed leading personalities, business leaders, politicians, thought leaders, community activists and religious leaders from both South Africa and abroad. His real joy is derived from engaging with fellow South Africans on matters that are important to them.

Africa Melane studied accounting at the University of Cape Town and went on to do his articles at PwC. He then went on to teach a professional development course to first year students at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town.

Africa Melane serves as the vice chairperson on the board of Cape Town Opera, Africa’s premier opera company. He also filled the position of interim managing director for five months in 2020. He also chairs the panel of judges for the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious theatre awards which reward excellence in professional theatres staged and performed in Cape Town.

Cornell De Kock’s career is highlighted by significant contributions to technology and municipal development. Before joining the municipality, she was instrumental in teaching the young minds in South Africa to inspire future technology professionals specifically in software development.

In her role with the municipality, Cornell led the implementation of South Africa’s—and possibly the world’s—first fibre-to-the-home project of its kind. This groundbreaking initiative provided open access fibre to every household, greatly enhancing digital connectivity. Under his leadership, broadband penetration increased from just 11% to 59% within 18 months, marking a transformative shift in digital access. Today the broadband penetration rate is 67%.

Cornell also introduced a range of smart city technologies, including smart streetlights, smart cameras with AI components, and smart water and electricity management systems. These innovations improved public safety, optimized resource management, and enhanced operational efficiency.

Rashid works on the end-to-end design and delivery of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) programmes in the water and energy sectors, with a focus on how large-scale digital systems actually get implemented and sustained in real utility environments. His current work spans the full AMI lifecycle—from programme structuring and contracting models, through system architecture and integration, to operationalisation, benefits realisation, and long-term governance.

He is actively involved in live utility programmes across Southern and East Africa, supporting cities and service providers as they transition from pilot projects to multi-year, city-wide AMI rollouts. This includes navigating the practical challenges of data integration, organisational readiness, revenue performance, and customer engagement, alongside evolving regulatory and funding constraints.

Ms Tau is a Civil Engineer with over 14 years of experience across State‑owned Entities and all spheres of government, currently serving as a Water and Sanitation Specialist at SALGA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, specializing in hydrology and water resources, a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Engineering from Wits, and is a Wits Business School graduate recognized for excellence in Strategic Management. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), she has contributed to Water and Sanitation Data Insight initiatives, including digitizing provincial master planning in KwaZulu‑Natal through the KZN Digital Transformation Strategy and supporting synthesis and analysis of priority infrastructure programmes via the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent.

She applies systems thinking and prioritizes quantifiable data to drive informed decision‑making and sustainable infrastructure design in local government. Additionally, she pairs her technical expertise with capacity‑building efforts as Chairperson of the Transformation Forum, demonstrating her commitment to sector transformation.k

With 41 years of experience — 37 of which have been dedicated to the bulk water and wastewater industry — Peter Thompson has provided visionary leadership to uMngeni Water Services as its Managing Director. Under his stewardship, the organisation has aligned its operations with Section 30 of the Water Services Act (as amended) and Vision 2050, driving transformation toward a commercially agile and future-focused entity.

He has championed the establishment of the uMngeni Water Services Institute of Learning, an accredited institution offering water, wastewater-and energy related training to staff and external stakeholders, and led the formation of strategic partnerships and joint ventures with Water Services Authorities to execute Section 30(d) and (e) functions. His portfolio spans Strategy and Business Development, Stakeholder Relations, Shared Services oversight, and institutional capacity building.

Previously, Peter managed the Process Engineering Department at former Umgeni Water, overseeing fifty-three professionals delivering process design, optimisation, troubleshooting, and research across twelve large and 42 smaller water treatment works, as well as eight wastewater facilities.

Siya, as she is fondly known, currently holds the position of Director – Commercial Services within the Water and Sanitation Directorate at the City of Cape Town. Over the course of her 20 -year professional journey, she has extensive experience in managerial and strategic leadership, with a significant focus on South African Local Government. Her qualifications in Finance and Municipal finance management have fortified her expertise, resulting in a decade-long specialisation in this domain. Siya’s proficiencies encompass a wide spectrum, including strategic and business management, Revenue and Debt management, financial sustainability, and innovative customer-centric solutions.

Hilton Smith brings 15 years of operational experience in local government management, underpinned by a robust academic foundation in public sector governance and finance.

Holding a master’s degree in public administration, Hilton Smith’s expertise spans both field operations and strategic financial oversight. This background ensures a comprehensive understanding of institutional strategy and regulatory compliance.

In the current role managing Water and Electricity Billing at Drakenstein Local Municipality, Hilton Smith is responsible for revenue assurance and the accurate accounting treatment of financial transactions derived from water and electricity billing. This involves overseeing the municipal revenue cycle and leading multiple pilot projects for smart meter implementation, with a focus on improving data quality, reducing non-technical losses, and ensuring the seamless integration of metering data into municipal financial systems for billing accuracy and enhanced accountability.

Keitumetse is an accomplished Coverage Banker at Absa where she leads cross-functional teams in solving for municipalities, private sector and state-owned entities. She has a wealth of experience in originating, preparing technical credit application for her clients to obtain a loan facilities and participate in Debt Capital Markets. She excels in tailoring financial solutions across various banking offerings to meet client needs. Her passion lies in contributing to Africa’s development.

Lubabalo is a professional civil engineer specialising in water and sanitation. He has broad public and private sector experience in water and sanitation infrastructure development and management, inclusive of planning, design, construction, operations, institutional arrangements, grant management, finance and policy. He is currently a Senior Water Specialist in the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) at the World Bank and is based in Pretoria, South Africa and coordinates the RSA 2030 WRG Program. 2030 WRG is a multi-donor trust fund, managed by the World Bank Water Global Practice to address global water security. The fund works with the public, private and civil society sectors to catalyze financing and innovation through global and country programs. In South Africa the fund coordinates water security multistakeholder platforms for Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal, working across the themes of water for: people, cities, planet and food.

Mpho Sadiki is an Earth Observation Data Scientist at Digital Earth Africa, where she works on the development, analysis, and application of satellite-derived datasets to support evidence-based decision making across Africa. Her role focuses on producing analysis-ready data, developing geospatial workflows, and supporting the use of Earth observation data across environmental and water-related applications.

She began her career as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate at the University of Johannesburg, where she worked on applying Earth observation data and data science techniques to analyse crop spectral signatures, enabling maize crop identification and yield estimation.

Mpho holds a Master’s degree in Geoinformatics from the University of Pretoria and is currently completing a PhD focused on wetland remote sensing across Africa.

With 17 years of post-registration experience, Deon is a registered Professional Technologist and proud member of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and the Institute of Municipal Engineering of South Africa (IMESA). His expertise centers on bulk water and sanitation services, including large-scale water transfer schemes, treatment facilities, and the successful execution of diverse engineering contracts.

Deon specializes in driving business opportunities for district and local municipalities through strategic funding grants and comprehensive business plans. His skills extend to water reticulation master planning, pressure management, water conservation, water demand management, and innovative smart water city concepts. Since joining the George Municipality in 2021, he has also gained hands-on experience in water and sanitation engineering operations, contributing to sustainable infrastructure solutions in South Africa and outside the borders of South Africa.

Christine Tantuo is a technology and business executive with over 10 years of leadership experience across telecommunications, digital transformation, and public–private sector initiatives in Africa. She serves as a Board Member of the United States Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI), and in the board of E.L.E.V.A.T.E Kenya, a program under the office of the special advisor to the president on economic empowerment & sustainable livelihoods. Christine is the Co-Founder and CEO of GoSoft Integrated Solutions. She has previously held senior country and regional leadership roles at Alcatel-Lucent (East Africa), Uganda Telecom, WorldSpace Ghana, Sandvine and Redknee. She holds a BSc in International Business Administration from USIU–Africa and an Executive MBA from Strathmore University in partnership with IESE Business School.

Peter Marota has over two decades in Local Government working in the Water and Sanitation sector and holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Management. He is currently a Civil Engineer overseeing Planning and Development for Water and Sanitation for the City of Mbombela Municipality. Key areas of responsibilities and expertise include water resources planning, project management of various projects in water and sanitation, water conservation and water demand management, management of private township development on water and sanitation.

Moreover, he has experience in bulk water projects ranging from construction of dams, bulk water and sewer mains, reservoirs, pump stations, water & sewer networks, and has participated in municipal policy and by-laws formulation, Peter has championed the Section 78 Assessment for the Municipality and the management of Public-Private Partnership Concessionaire contract on engineering key performance area.

Ms Nombasa Msebi is the  Director for Technical Services and Infrastructure Development at the Amathole District Municipality where she leads the planning, development, and management of water and sanitation infrastructure to support reliable and sustainable service delivery. Having served in this position for different water services institutions in the Eastern Cape, she currently chairs the EC Technical Directors’ Forum. With over 20 years of experience in the water and municipal engineering sector, Msebi has extensive expertise in water supply systems, wastewater treatment, infrastructure planning, and capital project implementation.

In her role, she provides strategic and technical leadership to ensure that water and sanitation services meet regulatory standards while addressing the growing infrastructure and service delivery needs of communities. He/she has played a key role in the implementation and rehabilitation of water and sanitation projects aimed at improving access, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Benjamin Arends is a Civil Engineering Technologist with over 23 years of experience in municipal infrastructure planning and implementation. He has led and overseen projects in roads, stormwater management, water supply, and drought intervention within local government. His work focuses on sustainable service delivery, infrastructure resilience, and practical engineering solutions in resource-constrained environments.

A seasoned global speaker, Ruvimbo Delia Hakata is dedicated to leveraging data-driven efficiency and digital transformation to solve complex societal and enterprise challenges. She is a strategic leader at the intersection of AI governance and large-scale enterprise data systems, working as an AI and Data Engineer. Ruvimbo excels at bridging high-level strategy and technical engineering, having architected auditable AI assistants and optimised high-volume data pipelines for complex operations. Her technical expertise spans Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, the Internet of Things, and Cloud engineering, complemented by research into AI ROI and robotic process automation for social good.

Ruvimbo is also a Women Techmakers Ambassador and Google Developer Groups Harare Organiser. Through various programmes, she has reached thousands of people across 30+ countries, championing safe and scalable AI solutions.

Water Science and Engineering
Water and Sanitation
Water Quality Sciences
Waste Management
Environmental Engineering
Advanced Chemical Reaction Systems
Renewable Energy and Development
Sustainable Development
Innovation and Technology
Research Development and Innovation
Environmental sustainability

Brynn Williams is Head of Digital Solutions Design at GWF AG, Switzerland, where he enables digital water solutions by connecting people, technologies, and organizations across the utility ecosystem. His work focuses on helping utilities leverage measurement data and digital platforms to improve operational performance, including leakage detection and network optimization. He collaborates closely with utilities, software developers, and technology partners to deliver practical, integrated solutions that support more resilient and sustainable water systems.

Refilwe Mokanse is a lead in the strategic partnership and deal origination unit of the Infrastructure Fund, a ringfenced division of the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Previously, he held the role of infrastructure finance specialist where he was responsible for financial structuring, designing, packaging and implementing blended finance solutions for public infrastructure projects and programmes. Prior to joining infrastructure Fund, Refilwe worked as a Senior Projects Analyst in the Budget Office of the National Treasury for 13 years specialising on Public-Private Partnerships. Refilwe Mokanse holds a Masters of Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch and a Bachelor of Economics Honours from the University of Pretoria.

Samista is a professionally registered engineer specialising in water infrastructure, with experience spanning planning and strategy through to design and implementation. Her work covers the full water, wastewater and stormwater cycle, including resources, treatment, bulk, reticulation, wet services, and water management. These projects are in both the public and private sectors in Africa and the Middle East.

A Fellow of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), she is recognised by her peers for professional eminence and technical leadership. Beyond project delivery, her work focuses on future-ready engineering and anticipatory governance: helping organisations navigate uncertainty, manage long-term risk, and design infrastructure systems that are resilient, adaptive, and socially and environmentally responsible.

Mogan Padayachee is currently the Manager of Innovation and New Technologies at Rand Water, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mogan has extensive knowledge of both developing and developed markets, having successfully managed projects in South Africa and across the African continent. He has also participated in numerous global collaborative studies and projects.

He was the Acting Managing Director of Rand Water Services, a subsidiary of Rand Water, and a Business Unit Manager, and he began his career as a Scientist at Rand Water. He has played a key role in developing clear, compelling strategies to drive growth, foster innovation, and improve efficiency and effectiveness within the organization.

He has a strong technical foundation in science, technology, and engineering, and is now enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Stellenbosch focused on the digital transformation of the water sector.

Mike Smith (MCom Economics) is a Founding Partner at The Water Fund Manager, a private financier mobilising institutional and private capital into industrial and commercial water, wastewater, energy and water reuse projects through an innovative investment model.

Mike brings over 14 years of experience in developing, financing and delivering infrastructure projects, with his career spanning renewable energy and water infrastructure. He began in the renewable energy sector, where he developed and facilitated investment into small-scale solar, biogas and energy efficiency projects.

He later joined Talbot Group, where he served as a Director, Group Economist and Transaction Advisor, and led both the consulting and project implementation business units. In this role, Mike was responsible for originating and developing a pipeline of bankable water and wastewater projects, overseeing project delivery, financial modelling, contract negotiation and capital raising.

Helen Hulett is a water security strategist and the Co-Founder of Resolve Water, a geospatial water-risk intelligence platform focused on translating physical water risk into investable resilience pathways. She works at the intersection of data, infrastructure, finance, and policy, helping banks, corporates, investors, and insurers understand where water risk materially affects assets, operations, and growth.

Helen has over 15 years’ experience advising large corporates, utilities, and financial institutions across Africa and internationally on water risk, water security strategy, and climate adaptation. Her work focuses on moving beyond risk identification to actionable interventions, prioritisation, and financing.

Resolve Water combines geospatial analytics, hydrological data, satellite imagery, and regulatory intelligence to support decision-making across catchments, utilities, and portfolios. Helen is particularly focused on enabling private capital to support climate-resilient water systems in Africa through credible, data-driven insights.

Sustainability is no longer a choice-its a prerequisite for business resilience. With an MSc in Conversation Ecology (Cum Laude) and a certification in Water Risk Asessment, Zaid bridges the gap between complex environmental data and actional banking strategies. Currently, he specializes in equipping South African SMEs to navigate global shifts like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). His work sits at the intersection of environmental, technical sciences and financial strategy. Whether he is co-authoring the SADC Regional Water Infrastructure Master Plan or helping SMEs future-proof against environmental and economic shocks, Zaid’s goal remains the same: driving financial inclusion through resilience Energy and Infrastructure in Southern Africa.

Mojabeng is the Coverage Head: Municipal Sectors at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

DBSA is a state-owned development bank with a mandate to develop, finance and implement sustainable infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa. The Bank’s municipal mandate includes the provision of funding and non-funding support to municipalities and provincial government, water boards as well as economic zones. Its priority infrastructure classes include water and sanitation, bulk services, renewable energy value chain and digitalisation, as part of a smart cities. DBSA utilises both on and off balance-sheet funding structures including private sector partnerships.

Benny (BEng (Hons), MPhil, PhD) is a civil and environmental engineer leading a 2025–2028 industry-funded program on smart sewer and water systems at Deakin University, in partnership with Barwon Water. He specialises in digital transformation for sewer networks—integrating sensors, SCADA/IoT and inspection data with analytics to strengthen condition assessment, predict blockages and overflows, manage infiltration/inflow, and optimise maintenance and capital planning.

Benny has worked with utilities and agencies across South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and Australia, translating applied research into practical tools for operations and resilience. He also works in international development (WASH), combining data-driven modelling with community and stakeholder engagement, including consulting experience with UNICEF and WHO ACE.

Theasha Naidoo is the Strategic Consulting Lead at Talbot, where she focuses on ensuring water security as a cornerstone of business continuity. She specializes in translating operational water-related risks into strategic business insights, enabling organizations to proactively manage resource challenges and build resilience. With extensive experience in the water and wastewater industry, Theasha is passionate about sustainability and committed to driving innovative, resource-efficient solutions that align with long-term business and environmental objectives. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Stellenbosch University, researching integrated water resource management for green hydrogen production in South Africa, reflecting her dedication to bridging technical expertise with strategic sustainability goals.

Thebe Roy Johannes is a pioneering engineer and one of Botswana’s leading voices in smart water metering and digital water management. As Technical Director of Leeroy Systems, he has been instrumental in developing and scaling the country’s Smart Prepaid Water Metering solutions. His leadership played a key role in establishing Botswana’s first Calibration and Testing Plant—now the largest of its kind in the SADC region—and in setting up a local assembly facility for meters and CIUs, strengthening national capacity and reducing dependence on imports.

With a background in Mechanical Engineering and hands-on experience at Morupule and Debswana, Thebe blends technical expertise with a passion for practical problem-solving. His work has shaped the growth of Metering-as-a-Service solutions and positioned Botswana as an emerging innovator in the water sector.

Dedicated to youth empowerment and skills development, Thebe continues to champion technology, sustainability, and community-driven impact.

A water and data analytics professional specialising in digital transformation, water risk management, and data-driven decision-making across the water sector. She is the Business Unit Lead at TalbotAnalytics, where she focuses on business development and advancing the adoption of digital solutions that strengthen water resilience, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainable water management.

Her background is in Chemical Engineering and Data Science, enabling her to integrate engineering fundamentals with advanced analytics and digital innovation. She is actively involved in industry leadership, serving as the National Financial Lead for the WISA Young Water Professionals and as a leadership team member of SWAN’s Rising Smart Water Professionals (RiSWP).

Her work is focused on translating smart water technologies into practical, financeable solutions that deliver measurable value for industry across Africa.

Collin Mubadiro is a Registered Professional Engineer with extensive experience in strategic planning, operational leadership, and the implementation of water sector improvement programmes. He has a proven track record in Revenue Enhancement and Non‑Revenue Water management, having led multiple initiatives that integrate technical expertise with data‑driven decision-making.

His areas of specialization include customer relations management, water savings education and awareness, water, sewer, and treated effluent infrastructure planning and design, leak detection and repair programmes, debt management, billing, meter management, advanced metering infrastructure, and digital transformation. He also has significant experience in the implementation and monitoring of Non‑Revenue Water reduction measures, as well as zone management and performance optimization.

Collin is committed to advancing sustainable water management practices and continuously improving service delivery through innovative engineering solutions.

Terene Govender is a Junior Water & Wastewater Industry Developer at Endress+Hauser Group, supporting the implementation of strategic initiatives for the water and wastewater sector across Southern Africa. She holds an MPhil in Engineering Management from the University of Johannesburg and a BTech in Electrical Engineering, specialising in Process Instrumentation and Control.

Her professional experience spans technical support, resource planning, and industry development, giving her a strong practical understanding of measurement technologies, operational reliability, and asset performance in water and wastewater applications. Terene is passionate about enabling sustainable water management through innovation, data‑driven decision‑making, and collaboration across the utilities and industrial water landscape.

Shaun is a Civil Engineer with over 40 years water related experience across Europe, Middle East, North America and recently Africa. For the last 15 years he has been involved in the deployment of both AMR and AMI programmes with his specific knowledge being on delivery and benefits management especially linked to the supply and demand balance. He has been a Programme Director for two national roll-out programmes and supported a number of others.

He is the Engineering Director of WRc (Water Research Centre) heading up a team of 30 Engineers with the company’s water efficiency and metering projects coming under Shaun. WRc is an independent organisation providing strategic AMI and meter testing on a global basis.

Shaun’s current AMI projects are in the UK, Middle East and Africa plus supporting AMI projects in the Far East and New Zealand.

Mr. Lazzarotto is a graduate electrical engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in the Smart City and Innovation sectors. He was a major contributor and driving force in the foundation of the Wibree standard, which later became known as Bluetooth Low Energy. He also played a pivotal role in the creation and development of the wireless PC peripherals market, delivering fundamental innovation bricks and remains co-owner of several key patents still in use today.

He was appointed President and Executive Director of the DLMS User Association (UA) in 2019, where he has fostered strong member collaboration and driven innovation through standardization, delivering world-leading specifications and certification programs that support interoperable devices and secure data exchange for electricity, water, gas, and heat strategic infrastructures.

Since January 2025, he has served as an expert member of the European Commission’s Smart Energy Expert Group. As of January 2026, he serves as President of the DLMS UA.

Tertius Rust, founder of The Innovation Consulting Company, specialises in innovation strategy and transformative change in the utility sector. With global experience across the UK, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and South Africa, Tertius develops methods to help teams implement impactful solutions at scale. An expert in behaviour science, AI, and IoT, Tertius fosters innovation through frameworks like Innovation Accounting and Incubator models. An endurance athlete and family-oriented leader, he balances professional goals with mentoring future leaders and sharing knowledge to drive business success.

Cebile is a seasoned leader in SAP Solution Advisory, specializing in SAP Business Data Cloud. She is dedicated to driving customer adoption of SAP’s advanced analytics and financial planning capabilities, ensuring businesses harness the full potential of their data.

As a key driver of SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) strategy in Africa, Cebile works closely with customers and partners, offering strategic guidance to CIOs and CFOs on leveraging the SAP Business Data Cloud to optimize decision-making and business success. She also plays a pivotal role on the African SAP User Group Steering Committee, representing SAP’s Technology Platform business.

With a wealth of experience spanning across leading SAP partners—including global consultancy firm Accenture—Cebile brings deep industry expertise to her advisory role. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, equipping her with a powerful blend of technical insight and business acumen.

Malakhiwe Jafta is a renowned professional with extensive experience in the Government and adjacent industries such as the University and private sector. Currently serving as the Provincial Head in the Free State for Infrastructure Planning, Delivery, and Maintenance (IPDM) at Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), an entity under the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

In his role, Malakhiwe leads interventions aimed at supporting municipalities, overseeing activities such as infrastructure procurement, financial sourcing strategies, and providing technical support through the deployment of engineers and town planners. His focus is on driving sustainable infrastructure development initiatives and capacity building efforts to professionalize the local government sector. This aligns with the objectives outlined in the 7th administration Medium-Term Development Plan (2025 -2029), which emphasizes the importance of building a pipeline of professional local government practitioners.

Masheke is a digital transformation leader with 18+ years of expertise in software development and infrastructure asset management. As the former Chief Innovation Officer at IMQS Software, he integrated machine learning, digital twins, and predictive analytics to transform municipal service delivery and resource optimisation.

Recognised for his work in smart city development, Masheke has successfully implemented large-scale projects in water and sanitation infrastructure management. By synthesising IoT, GIS, and big data, he empowers organisations to improve efficiency and long-term resilience. Masheke is dedicated to delivering high-impact, grassroots solutions that drive sustainability and economic value through innovative, future-proof technology.

Andria Munien is a Water Efficiency Specialist and Professional Civil Technologist with over 11 years of experience in the water sector. She is professionally registered with ECSA, is a Certified Project Management Professional, and is currently pursuing certification as a Certified Water Efficiency Professional (CWEP) from the Association of Energy Engineers. Andria’s work focuses on Water Conservation and Water Demand Management and addressing Non-Revenue Water challenges. She has led and contributed to strategic water management initiatives aimed at optimizing supply systems, reducing losses, and strengthening long-term sustainability. Her expertise spans hydraulic system optimization, integrated demand strategies, and the deployment of smart, data-enabled technologies that support system visibility, informed decision-making, and sustainable revenue recovery. She is deeply passionate about contributing to meaningful change in the NRW space across Africa, with a focus on improving water security, resilience, and long-term system performance.

Over the last 100 years the tide of sustainable water management has been subsiding along with countless other sectors in the illusion of abundance. aQco was birthed as part of the movement started by AQUAffection, a group of companies aimed at changing the perspectives of between 20 to 25or mass adoption through #SurplusWater2025. Water Intelligence for assets has never been more important to align stewardship and integrity to serve all with the vastness of complex water solutions that’s needed for future generations. Our why is underpinned in our service pillars of Advisory | Consulting | Auditing that all may benefit from our decades of Water Intelligence experience through our trusted partnerships in solving water.

Pieter aims to be a highly successful professional by constantly learning new skills. He thrives in an ever-changing environment and high-pressure situations and enjoys working with others and utilizing their strengths for the good of the project. He has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch and has 8 year’s of experience in the IoT industry, with the main focus on smart utilities. His company aims to enable smart metering anywhere gaurenteed.

Mthokozisi Mzingaye Moyo is a Zimbabwean environmental innovator, civic technologist, and social entrepreneur from Fumugwe in Matopo, based in Bulawayo. Trained in civil and water engineering, he applies technical expertise to practical, community-driven infrastructure solutions. He is the founder of WasteMoney, a pioneering initiative developing nature-based wastewater treatment systems that integrate reed bed technology with solar-powered UV disinfection to improve downstream water quality and strengthen climate resilience.

He leads Ulwazi Technologies, a platform focused on bridging the digital divide by expanding access to connectivity, data tools, and practical technology education in underserved communities. Through Ulwazi Technologies, in partnership with Wetskills Foundation and the City of Bulawayo, he is currently developing the DamWatch Dashboard—a digital monitoring initiative aimed at improving transparency, data accessibility, and real-time tracking of water infrastructure. Mthokozisi served as President of the Rotary Club of Matopos and continues to champion youth-led innovation, ecosystem restoration, and inclusive economic development across Southern Africa.

Resume
* Inventor of the first integrated solid state prepayment meter in the world in 1985;
* Pioneer and co-founder of the prepayment industry in SA;
* Intimately involved in ESKOM electrification program;
* Played a leading role in establishing national and international payment metering and meter communication standards: SABS, NRS, IEC, AFSEC and STS;
* Founding member of several standards committees;
* Winner of SABS and IEC awards for exceptional contribution to international standardization;
* Employed by Itron Measurements & Systems from 1986 to 2012 as Director of Technology;
* Currently self employed in a consulting capacity and still engaged in standardization work.

James holds a MSc in statistics, evolving through analytics, data science, programme development, and consulting. He pivoted into the Water industry during COVID, and moved into the role of Technical Delivery Lead. Working across roles spanning Technical Delivery Lead, Product Owner, and Business Analyst, he now specialises in Digital Twin solutions for the water and wastewater sector, leveraging his analytical background to bridge the gap between domain expertise and technical implementation.

Nkululeko Mabila is a Senior Water Sector Analyst at GreenCape, where he plays a pivotal role in unlocking investment opportunities and driving job creation in the water sector. With a background in hydrology, he holds a Masters of Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, specializing in flood estimation modeling. His expertise spans project management, stakeholder engagement, water resource analysis, and policy advisory.

Nkululeko has led key projects, including the City of Cape Town’s Smart Water Project, and has provided technical guidance for initiatives such as the Climate Finance Accelerator and the Just SA Project. He has authored multiple industry reports, including The CEO Guide to Water Resilience and Mpumalanga Water Market Intelligence Reports. Recognized for his contributions to the sector, he has also facilitated investment deals worth over R20 million. Nkululeko remains committed to driving innovative solutions for a water-secure future.

Amir joined SWAN in 2013 and has been instrumental in growing the organisation into the leading global hub for the smart water sector. Throughout his time, he has helped engage members, develop in-depth research reports, and create innovative tools such as the SWAN Interactive Tool and Knowledge Hub. Amir also helped launch and grow regional SWAN Alliances in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. He holds a PhD focused on the impact of the Data-as-a-Service model on water and wastewater utilities.

With over 16 years of active involvement across JOAT businesses, Brett brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our Consulting, Sales & Services, and Turnkey Project operations. His leadership is defined by a commitment to diverse, multi-faceted strategies that drive innovation and impact.

Brett’s hands-on approach to leadership is what our customers can expect—practical, engaged, and always focused on delivering value. Brett has been involved directly with exposure to projects and interventions in public, agricultural, and private sectors—delivering water conservation and efficiency solutions that make a difference.

Fezile Solombela is a results‑driven Human Capital Professional within the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, recognized for cultivating impactful stakeholder relationships and delivering strategic, people centered solutions. With over 20 years of experience across diverse sectors including the private sector and the SOE environment he brings extensive expertise across the full Human Capital value chain and has successfully led numerous key projects and organisational initiatives. Fezile is a versatile, service-oriented leader committed to strengthening organisational capability and driving excellence.

Vinit Mishra is Partner – Technology Consulting, Utility with EY and associated with E&Y for last 15 years. He is Post Graduated in marketing & Graduated in Electrical Engineering. He is having 23 Years’ of experience in Utility Sector. Vinit has been pivotal in establishing the digital practice in EY Utility sector. He has good international exposure as well and worked with International Companies located at South Africa, Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, Nepal and Bangladesh. Vinit has worked extensively in Digital strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, ERP, analytics, Smart metering, Smart Grid etc. Vinit has experience of working with Govt., PSUs and funded agencies like World Bank, JICA.

Petrus van Heerden is the Regional Manager for Africa at Kamstrup A/S and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering as well as a Master of Business Leadership. For more than a decade, Petrus has played a pivotal role in expanding Kamstrup’s footprint across the African continent, championing the adoption of smart utility solutions and driving digital transformation in the water sector.

His hands‑on involvement in smart water initiatives spans East to West Africa, including landmark projects in Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal. With a strong passion for sustainable water management practices, Petrus has been instrumental in delivering some of the largest and most impactful smart water deployments in Africa. He continues to advocate for data‑driven, resilient utility strategies that support long-term resource sustainability and operational excellence.