Member Profile
Interim Executive Biography
Dr Lario Malungana
| Qualifications | – National Diploma, Accounting – BTech, Business Information – MTech, Business Information – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Information Systems |
| Short Biography | Visionary Deputy Director: ICT Change Management with a distinguished career in spearheading digital transformations with 24 years of proven success in enhancing company infrastructure by applying software development life cycle and information technology project management methodologies. Pragmatic professional with solid experience in leadership roles with a successful Academic background with a Doctor in Philosophy (PhD) in Information Systems. Supervising two Masters’ and two Doctoral students, solving research challenges, reviewing chapters and manuscripts, and contributing to larger projects under senior or principal researcher direction. Preparing research documentation, assisting with proposal and report preparation, submitting progress reports to funders and the university, and contributing to the university’s goals and mission. Collaborating with academic departments to identify potential fellowship opportunities tailored to specific fields of study, boosting student interest and participation in relevant programs. Providing ongoing mentorship support for current fellows by organizing monthly check-ins and offering resources for personal growth during their experience. |
| Research Interests | – Adoption and implementation of smart card technology in public healthcare – Perceptions of ChatGPT in Education – Adoption of Smart Card-Based integrated Electronic Health Management System – The impact on climate change adaptation |
| South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Chairperson |
Dr Siphe Potelwa
Qualifications | – ND: Fine Arts – B-tech: Fine Arts – MSc: Masters- Visual Arts – PhD: Education (Art psychology and Art education) |
Short Biography | Siphe Potelwa is a PhD holder in Education with a T- Shape expertise; innovator, strategic planner, leader, organizer, team builder, conflict resolver, competitive collaborator and is an academic committed to using body of knowledge production for the advancement of society and safer communities. He has vast experience in the areas of leadership, education psychology, fine arts and facial recognition techniques. He has demonstrated his leadership qualities at early age when he served as Student Representative Council (SRC) at former Border Technikon, Walter Sisulu University and as Executive; Sport, Arts, Culture, Choir, Committee (SACCOM) leader of South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) at Ngqeleni Branch. He has worked at the Department of Education as teacher and leader of the labour union and South African Police Services as Provincial coordinator of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) using his artistic talent for the image identification of suspects across the Eastern Cape Province. Potelwa is employed by University of Fort Hare as Senior Lecturer and Head of Department in Fine Arts at Alice. A Senate member at University of Fort Hare, Deputy Chairperson of Eastern Cape Alumni Chapter, Acting President SAAPhD’s, National Arts Council Advisory Panel, DHET Sub-Panel and South African Skills Development Foundation Advisory Panel. |
Research Interests | Visual art education narratives in context: A tool of rehabilitation or therapy. He has published number of his work on South African and international journals. |
| South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Co-Chairperson |
Dr Tshepo Kukuni
| Qualifications | – National Diploma Computer Systems Engineering – BTech: Electrical Engineering – Master of Engineering: Electrical – Doctor of Engineering: Electrical |
| Short Biography | Dr Tshepo Kukuni is a researcher, scholar, author and a professional. He is currently employed as the Senior Manager responsible for Fleet at Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Matjhabeng Local Municipality. Dr Kukuni has vast experience in industry and education setup focusing on electronic, electrical and ICT environment. Dr Kukuni as in the following advisory committees:- Tshwane Station in Electronics (TSE) – Tshwane University Technology. – Institute for the Study of Legislature in South Africa (ISLSA) – Internal Masters Program Reviewer at Central University of Technology, Free-State – A solid professional with solid experience in leadership roles with a successful Academic background with a Doctor in Engineering in Electrical. – Currently a postdoc fellow at CUT, FS focusing on machine learning and its use to aid in early detection for cyber-attacks. – Mentoring masters a solving research challenges, reviewing chapters and manuscripts, and contributing to larger projects under senior or principal researcher direction. – Collaborating with different academic, research institutions, and industry to identify engineering related-challenges and bring scientific knowledge to solve those challenges – Strongly involved in innovation and commercialization ecosystem with the purpose of creating spin-off companies from research-based outputs from potential fellowship opportunities tailored to specific fields of study, boosting student interest and participation in relevant programs. |
| Research Interests | – Use of Augmented, Virtual Reality to solve and improve efficiency in both the manufacturing plants and school environment. – Implementation Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to aid in optimization of processes in the health sector. – Use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to aid in early detection for cyber-attacks. – Integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and AI to optimize processes. – Investigation alternative energy source and their impact towards load shedding |
| South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Secretary General |
Dr Sibongiseni Tunzelana
Qualifications | PhD: Computer Science |
Short Biography | |
Research Interests | |
South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Assistant I Secretary General |
Professor Katleho Moloi
Qualifications | PhD: Computer Science |
Short Biography | |
Research Interests | |
South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Assistant II Secretary General |
Dr Esewu Mxolisi Mathebula
| Qualifications | |
| Short Biography | Dr Esewu Mxolisi Mathebula joined the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in 1996. He continued to study while serving in the SANDF and obtained the following qualifications from the University of South Africa: A National Diploma in Policing (2003), Bachelor of Technology Degree in Policing (2010), Master of Technology in Policing (2014), and a Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Police Science (2019). He also obtained an Executive Development Programme Certificate in 2022 from the Wits Business School. He served under the United Nations Peace-keeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2004 – 2005, 2005 – 2006. He was also part of Mission Thebe in the DRC in 2011 providing training to the DRC Army Military Police. He is an independent examiner for master’s students and also a moderator at various Universities. He is also a crime/policing analyst on various radio stations and television. |
| Research Interests | |
| South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Media and Publicity Director |
Dr Nokhanyo Madliwa
| Qualifications | – National Diploma: Operations Management – BTech: Quality (Cum Laude) – MTech: Quality – Doctor of Public Administration |
| Short Biography | Dr Nokhanyo Madliwa holds a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Fort Hare. She currently works in the City of Ekurhuleni as the Quality Manager of Water and Sanitation Department. Her career achievements include being a qualified ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Implementer, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Facilitator, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Auditor. She has 15 years’ experience within Local Government specializing in Business Improvement, Policies and Procedures Formulation, Quality Assurance and Service Delivery Excellence. She is the author of two books (MEMOIRS) namely ‘The Life of a brilliant village girl from the Transkei, A True Story’ and ‘We were born by a real Man, that’s our Dad.’ She is currently writing her third book titled ‘ My Mom, My Dad’s Queen’. Dr Madliwa heads up the Culture and Preservation Department at the South African Association of PhDs. |
| Research Interests | – Policy and Procedure Formulation – Operations Engineering and Management – Quality Management and Auditing – Governance and Compliance – Business Improvement – Culture and Preservation |
South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Media and Publicity Assistant Director |
Prof Cameron Modisane
Qualifications | PhD: Accountancy |
Short Biography | Professor Cameron Modisane is the Director: School of Accounting (Acting) at the University of South Africa (UNISA). He is also a Board of Director for the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA SA). He is currently the Chairperson of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee of Oxfam South Africa’s Board. |
Research Interests | He supervises Masters’ and PhD students focusing on the Public Sector Accounting, IT and internal auditing, risk, and governance. His areas of research are around the impact of information technology to the accounting and auditing profession and 4IR technologies to improve on the auditing process. |
South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Treasurer-General |
Dr Avela Majavu
| Qualifications | – ND: Analytical Chemistry – B-tech: Analytical Chemistry – M-Tech: Chemistry – PhD: Chemistry – Diploma: Project Management – Certificate: Science Communications |
| Short Biography | Dr Avela Majavu holds a PhD in Chemistry from Nelson Mandela University and a certificate in Science Communication from Stellenbosch University. She is currently working at Sibanye Stillwater Precious Metal Refinery as a Research and Development Chemist and was awarded as Rock Star Highest Performer in April 2021. She is a Power of Women winner 2024- The Mail and Guardian in the Mining and Production category. She is a Co-founder and 1st Deputy President of the South African Associations of PhDs. She currently serves on the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) Executive Committee 2023/ 2024. She was recently awarded as Inspiring Fifty Africa Winner in Women in Tech 2023 “Most Inspiring Women in Technology 2023 Edition” and she received a Chairperson Special Recognition Award winner 2023 as Chemical Science by the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. She participated in the Women in Mining South Africa Subcommittee and Black Women in Science Fellowship Coordinator in 2022/ 2023. She was part of the 50 BRICS Young Scientist Forum 2023 to represent South Africa 2023 and represented South Africa at the 20th Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society Forum (STS) in Kyoto. She is an Inspiring 50 South African Women in STEM 2021 winner. She features in online magazines, radio station, webinar, guest / keynote speaker as inspiring motivational speaker as Woman in Mining in South Africa, as Academic and Industrial Scientist and as Woman in STEMI. |
| Research Interests | Platinum group metal characterization in depth for metal dissolution process and Resin development for separation of Rhodium and Iridium. |
| South African Association of PhDs role | Interim Deputy Treasurer |