Keynote Speakers
Dr. P. Mazibuko
Group Executive for Corporate Safety, Health, Environment, Security and Forensics
Dr. P. Mazibuko holds a Doctoral Degree in Management of Technology and Innovation (MOTI) from the Da Vinci Institute. His doctoral research looked at safety cultures within energy utilities; a developing socio-economic perspective globally. The aim of his research was to identify the root causes for most energy generating utilities high work-related fatalities even during and after the adoption of cutting edge safety management strategies and practices in their plants, to develop a model that can be suggested for cultivating and entrenching a culture of safety performance in the energy utilities globally.
He has been employed by Eskom for the past 23 years prior to joining Telkom in May 2018. He is currently employed by Telkom SA in Centurion, Pretoria as a Group Executive responsible for Corporate Safety, Health and Environment (Corporate SHE), Corporate Security and Telkom Group Forensics. His work involves the strategic and effective management of the Telkom Group (Subsidiaries and Divisions) Safety and Security risk exposures and legislative compliance in line with the Group Risk Management Philosophy (including Fraud Risk Management), Asset and Revenue Protection, Network Protection and Integrated Corporate Security services.
He is regarded as one of the top leadership experts by his peers in the industry, always bringing unconventional leadership and wisdom to redefine the leadership game. Dr. Mazibuko is a results-driven professional with a track record of solid performance in extensive executive management, stakeholder relationship building, communication and inspirational people leadership.
Mr. M. Dopolo
Marine Ecologist
Mbulelo
Dopolo graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2003 with a Master of
Science Degree (specializing in Marine Ecology). In 2004, he joined the then Marine and
Coastal Management, DEAT as a Biological Oceanographer studying reproductive ecology
of small pelagic fishes. In 2005, Mr.
Dopolo became an Environmental Officer for the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape Provincial
Government. He then joined the Department
of Agriculture and Forestry in 2006, continuing his work on reproductive ecology
of small pelagic fishes.
In 2008, he joined the South African National Parks, Conservation Services Division (Scientific Services) as a Program Manager (Marine). At SANParks he managed the science program and mentored junior staff. In 2013 he served as a writer for the working group on Marine Resources, Society and Development for the development of the National Marine Research Strategy. In addition, he served as a member of the technical team for the Operation Phakisa MPA network. In 2016, he joined the National Department of Environmental Affairs (Branch Oceans and Coasts) as a Director: Earth Systems Strategies, and his duties include managing the: (1) coordination, facilitation and support of science that improves understanding of earth systems; (2) policy formulation and advancement of South Africa's interest in the Antarctic Treaty System; and (3) administration and functioning of the Prince Edward Islands Advisory Committee (PEIAC). To date, he has published 7 peer-reviewed scientific articles in the field of reproductive ecology, biodiversity monitoring, resource use, etc. His top five strengths as described by the Clifton Strength Finder are: Deliberative (Careful and vigilant), Relator, Ideation (strong ability to connect seemingly unrelated issues), Command (Take charge and make decisions) and Responsibility (values honesty and loyalty).
Dr. M. Masubelele
Landscape Ecologist
Dr. M. Masubelele from the South African
National Parks is a leading Scientist and Landscape Ecologist on the Succulent
Karoo Biomes. His research and many projects focusses on habitat degradation
and rehabilitation in the Tankwa-Karoo, Namaqua and Richtersveld National
Parks. Currently, Dr. Masubelele leads the implementation of the Climate Change
Adaptation Plan and mitigation projects for the South African National Parks. He also represents the organization on various National Technical Working Groups on Climate Change Adaptation (IGCCC and EbA Committees) and Land Degradation.
Currently, Dr. Masubelele is also the project leader on an
international collaboration focussing on knowledge exchange and climate
resilience of indigenous communities (Nama vs Blood Tribes) in the global North
versus South. He supervises post-graduate students on these and other external
projects at academic institutions throughout South Africa.
Mr. S. Kubheka
Freshwater Ecologist
Skhumbuzo
Kubheka is a Masters graduate from Rhodes University specialising in GIS, Biocontrol, Conservation
Ecology and Biogeography. Being an alumni of Rhodes University, Mr Kubheka
has been honoured to guest many lecture sessions on Environmental Impact
Assessment to senior students. He was
also sort after to guest lecture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
on Freshwater Ecology. In 2007 he
joined Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) as a freshwater ecologist and researcher. In 2017, Mr. Kubheka made a discovery of what was thought to be an extinct fish species in KZN, which, after a genetic identification study, was discovered to be a new species altogether. This was one of the many significant scientific discoveries of his career to date, one that himself, EKZNW and Scientific Services should be proud of.
His engagement with external stakeholders has
created and maintained long term relationships with key biodiversity research
institutes. These relationships as well
as his team work spirit, strong scientific command and dedication have resulted
in numerous scientific publications. As a young,
black scientist, Mr. Kubheka has contributed to the academic growth of those around him and has demonstrated
that scientific excellence is achievable
through perseverance, determination, team work, integrity and dedication.