OUR 2018 JUDGES

Founder and President of CliffCentral.com, host of “The Gareth Cliff Show” and former South African Idols judge; Gareth Cliff is one of South African radio’s most prominent personalities.

Gareth’s company, One on One Productions (Pty) Ltd, which he founded with his business partner and longtime manager Rina Broomberg, took a major leap into
entrepreneurship when on 1st May 2014, catapulted from traditional
terrestrial radio to the future of internet and mobile with the aim of creating the preeminent
“infotainment” online content hub. CliffCentral offers a variety of authentic and
relevant conversations – informative, entertaining, empowering and inspiring – targeting
the engaged early adopters, connected in a digital world. In three years, it has made
significant progress becoming the biggest podcaster in Africa.

Gareth graduated from the University of Pretoria where he initially studied Law but
switched to International Politics and History, two subjects he is most passionate about. He
kicked off his radio career at Radio TUKS in Pretoria in 1996 and later “graduated” to
702 Talk Radio as a producer while he was still studying. It was here that he was given
his first major break in radio where he attracted a lot of attention for his irreverence and
intelligence, replacing the legendary John Berks on the 702 Breakfast Show in 2001. In
2003 Gareth accepted an offer from 5FM where he remained for ten years and hosted the
breakfast show for seven of those years.

Gareth has won numerous awards s for best radio and television personality and presenter and regularly hosts events both as an MC, speaker and a conference facilitator. He presented a 2015 TEDx Talk at London Business School on mobile technology and the changes it is bringing to Africa, as well as being a panelist SXSW in Austin Texas in March 2017 and at the Deutsche Welle Global Media Conference in Bonn, Germany in June 2017. He has also written two books, Gareth Cliff on Everything and Cliffhanger as well as writing columns for several magazines
and newspapers over the years.

Beyond the public eye, Gareth has demonstrated his commitment to his audience and
passion about South Africa by generously giving of his time to causes that are close to
his heart. He is the ambassador of several education initiatives and is the patron for
Headway Gauteng.

Tollo Nkosi, CEO of Umso Construction (Pty) Ltd is a civil engineer with more than 20yrs of industry experience. He built his career from on-site construction operations to executive level, where he now leads one of the most successful black-owned companies.

Tollo joined Umso in 2001 and was instrumental in growing it from a small company to a medium-large business. He has championed the growth strategy for Umso operations nationally over the past 5-10 years. This has given the business leverage to undertake big projects and associate with major companies on national priority projects including Gautrain, Gauteng freeways and the Transnet multi-purpose pipeline.

Some of the key highlights under his stewardship include:

• The growth strategy has resulted in national operations
• Expertise within the company has been expanded to include civils and infrastructure – roads, bridges and water infrastructure
• Level 9 CIDB grading has enabled Umso to take on bigger civils projects with unlimited value
• Staff has grown to more than 1 000
• Umso invests in its own plant to deliver timeously on projects
• Recognition as a top performing company and top empowered company in the industry by Impumelelo
• Umso continues to undertake social responsibility activities to support communities wherein the company operates

Umso – Gearing up for sustainable growth

The growth strategy over the last 5 years has ensured consistent expansion; this is reflected in the company’s current capacity, ability and strength to operate nationally. Tollo has maintained strategic focus on business growth, increasing market share, operational efficiency and nurturing talent and also re-structured the business to gear up for targeted opportunities.

As CEO he is vigilant regarding the tough trading conditions whereby market competition is extremely fierce, however the company also deems this an opportune period to test the resilience of its growth strategy.

In January 2012, Nzima took the helm as Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, responsible for all operations of the national destination marketing organisation’s Head Office and its country offices. His role included looking after the Grading Council of South Africa, the leisure tourism business and business events under its National Convention Bureau. Thulani served as an ex officio board member at SA Tourism.

After leaving the employ of SA Tourism in February 2016, Thulani currently chairs the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. He is now a businessman with focus in fleet solutions and procurement.

After matriculating as Vice-Headgirl of Roedean, Angel majored in Economics & English with a BA at UCT. She then spent 7 years working for M&C Saatchi Advertising in London.

Angel returned home in 2000 to found Homecoming Revolution and to co-found Morrisjones Advertising where she created the kulula.com brand.

Angel was a founding member of the SA Chapter of Entrepreneur’s Organisation and served on the Roedean Board for 6 years.
She sold her advertising business in 2013 and then stepped fulltime into Homecoming Revolution, turning it into a global “brain gain” headhunting firm for Africa.

Homecoming Revolution works successfully with many companies across Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, helping them identify top African diaspora professionals and recruiting them back to their home countries.

Angel’s accolades include:
•  President Thabo Mbeki State of the Nation address 2004
•  Roedean Centenary Keynote 2005
•  EY World Entrepreneur Awards finalist 2007
•  African Leadership Network New Generation Leader 2011
•  TedX Speaker 2016
•  SABC/Shoprite Checkers Woman of the Year Award in Media 2004

Cynthia Schoeman is the Managing Director of Ethics Monitoring & Management Services Proprietary Ltd. She is a founding director of the Ethics Practitioners Association (EPA), a member of the Investigating Committee of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA), and a member of The Business Ethics Network of Africa (BEN-Africa).

She has over 15 years’ experience in the field of workplace ethics and governance. She has developed practical tools and services to support the effective and proactive management of workplace ethics within organisations, and consults to private and public sector organisations in this regard. This includes a focus on ethics management, ethics assessment and ethics training.

Cynthia is a published author in the area of workplace ethics, namely Ethics Can: Managing Workplace Ethics (2014), Ethics: Giving a Damn, Making a Difference (2012) and An Employee’s Guide to Workplace Ethics (2011). Cynthia’s articles are widely published in business journals and the press.

Cynthia is a regular speaker on workplace ethics at conferences and is often interviewed on TV and radio as an ethics expert. Since 2001 Cynthia has lectured on ethics and governance as external faculty at a number of South Africa’s top business school to a wide variety of audiences, from students to senior executives, on executive and academic programmes.

Cynthia has a BA from Unisa (University of South Africa) and an MBA from Wits Business School (University of Witwatersrand Business School).

Xolisa Menemene: the founder and CEO of Xolisa Menemene Radiographer Pty Ltd, he has ensured accessibility, convenience and affordability for his X-ray services to the townships of the Eastern Cape through his Radiology company offering a wide range of diagnostic and imaging services.

XOLISA MENEMENE
Mr Xolisa Menemene possesses the necessary and critical business skills, knowledge and expertise required for the success of the business. He has been in the field for some time and created reputable relationships with potential clients. He is therefore abreast with market trends and what the customers’ needs and requirements are. Mr. Xolisa Menemene is a qualified radiographer, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and a Board of Health care funders. He is currently studying MBA.

He holds a National Diploma in Diagnostic Radiography obtained from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (Port Elizabeth) in 2007. In addition to his degree, he has completed two further courses during 2010, namely; Pattern Recognition and Emergency Radiography and Quality Management in Radiography, both courses provided by the Health Advance Institute. Mr. Menemene is computer literate, a good communicator. His expertise are Computed Radiology, Digital Radiology, trauma and theatre Radiology. His working career and experience spans twelve years in radiography. He started as a student radiographer in 2004 at Livingstone Hospital. Mr. Menemene then went on to become a Radiographer at Madzikane ka Zulu Memorial Hospital in 2008 and thereafter a Senior Radiographer at Nompumelelo Hospital. He was promoted to Chief Radiographer at the same hospital in 2011 and in July 2016 he left Nompumelelo Hospital to start his own practice. Mr. Menemene is a member of South African society of Radiographers.

Mickey Mashale (Ms) a member of the IoDSA (International Institute of Directors South Africa) who was Finalist for the Inspiring Top50 Women in ICT for 2017 is currently Chief Officer : Enterprise Sales for the Vodacom Group across Sub- Saharan Africa Region. She has been mandated to build a single Vodacom group Enterprise sales force across the Region which should drive Enterprise current contribution to the group from 27% to 35% in the next 3years. Formerly Managing Executive & Head of Region: Vodafone Global Enterprise responsible for strategy, revenue retention, growth and expansion of the named Vodafone customers for the Sub-Saharan Africa Region. She sits on the Board of Stortech, one of the leading System Integrators in SA as well as being responsible for the Vodacom Group Enterprise BU Strategic Partners GTM & Joint Propositions Delivery.

She previously also held the position of Managing Executive : Public Enterprises for Vodacom Enterprise Business Unit. Under her leadership, the department was awarded the best performing segment in the Vodacom Group Enterprise Business. She joined Vodacom in 2012 as Executive Head of Department – Network Operations with over 20years of experience in the ICT Industry.

Mickey’s career in the ICT Industry started at Vula Communications working on wireless & wireline technologies including mobile, satellite, wireless data transmission at a time where Vula Communications managed to secure two crucial licenses i.e. Wireless Data Transmission which is used for the Lottery Operation, operating as iBurst and the eTV License. Subsequently Mickey headed the Marketing Strategy for Nextcom – one of the applicants for the 3rd Mobile License. She later joined Ericsson as Bid, Price & Sales Manager for New Business Department where she worked for the CEEMEA (Central East Europe Middle East & Africa) region out of South Africa and Stockholm, Sweden. She was later appointed to be Business Strategy Representative for Ericsson during the CEEMEA road show on 3G Technology. She came back to join a local player, Mergent Technologies, which is a telecommunications
network roll-out company as Key Accounts Manager. During her tenure at Mergent she worked with operators MTN, Cell C, Vodacom directly and through their OEMs Siemens, Ericsson etc. After a year she was seconded to lead the SACF (South African Communications Forum) led bid for the 19% stake in the SNO (Second Network Operator launched as Neotel). Mickey received the SACF industry award for outstanding performance, management and leadership of the team. Mickey then moved onto the ICT parastatal, arivia.kom where she started of as Transactional Accounts Manager and worked until she was appointed the Managing Executive – Business Development with arivia.kom (bought by T-Systems in 2009), with revenues of R1.8B, was amongst the leading system integrators in Africa. In the role Mickey was responsible for the overall sales, new business development, outsourcing business
(which entailed maintenance and growth of the 5 key utility customers Eskom, Transnet, DWAF, ACSA, SARS), the company’s end-to-end marketing function as well as the Internal Business Solutions Department responsible for all commercial aspects of the business from bidding, contracting, pricing and product development. Under her leadership Arivia.kom was awarded the top ICT Company in Africa in 2006. Between 2007-2011, she served Waymark Infotech Group as Executive Director & Managing Executive for Waymark Group – Oracle Based Solution Companies. Before joining Vodacom, she joined forces with another entrepreneur at Al Indigo in April 2011 where she was also Executive Director.

In 1998 Mickey was appointed by the Department of Communications to be part of a government delegation to the Netherlands to develop a Training and Development Plan for South Africa in ICT.

In 2016 she completed a Senior Executive Course with Harvard Business School in Boston, she’s an MBA Graduate from Wits Business School, she graduated from University of Natal with a Bachelor of Science , she also obtained a number of diplomas in Telecommunications, Business, Strategy & Marketing from Wits Business School; P&DM, Institute of Marketing Management, AAA School of Advertising and Varsity College.

Ms Nthabeleng Likotsi is the Executive Chairman of the Young Women in Business Network (YWBN) and the Managing Director of the formation of the YWBN Co-operative Bank. She is an innovative self-starter, assertive and tenacious team player dedicated to the economic freedom of young women. She has a very strong desire to be successful; believes in rising above challenges; and possesses the mind-set to manage any challenging situation. She holds a Masters in Entrepreneurship from Wits Business School and a post graduate Certificate in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg, a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Centre of Entrepreneurship at Wits Business School (WBS). Ms Likotsi has steered YWBN into the great success that it has become, hosting the Annual Summit at which such illustrious speakers as Former President of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Thabo Mbeki; ANC Chairperson, Ms. Baleka Mbete and the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Mr Mondli Gungubele delivered the key note address.

Ms Likotsi has been honoured by the international business community; she was presented with the 2013/2014 ‘Women Leadership Award’ at the 3rd Africa – India Partnership Summit in Mauritius in November 2013. The Women Leadership Award is conferred to the
“Outstanding Women Professionals who have the vision, flair, acumen and professionalism to demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills in an organization, making changes and achieving results.” The awards merit recognition to contributions made by an individual who has made a difference to the society – people, industry and the community and played a role of responsible citizen. Ms Likotsi participated in a three-week International Visitors Leadership Programme – Women and Entrepreneurship hosted by the Department of State in the United States of America in 2014 and the Women in Business seminar in Kusnatcht ZH, Switzerland.

She has enjoyed media attraction, being featured on Motswako Talk show, SABC 2, Shift SABC 1, True Love Magazine, Drum Magazine, KAYA FM and METRO FM. A motivational speaker of note, she has travelled the world motivating aspiring young women
entrepreneurs, women professionals and business women in America, Madagascar and Switzerland to name a few.

Ms. Likotsi serves on boards of several companies as an Independent Non-Executive Director on companies such as Cobra, Vaal, Libra, WHS, Apex Valves and Ubuntu Plastics and is the youngest woman Independent Executive director on JSE Listed companies through Bonatla Ltd.

Bridget Mokwena-Halala is the Chief Executive Officer of Assupol Life. She serves in a number of Boards including Association for Savings & Investment SA( ASISA) where she chairs the Transformation, Skills Development and Education Board Committee.

She is a member of the Financial Sector Charter Council, a transformation charter established in terms of the Broad Based Black Economic Act. Bridget has extensive knowledge of the financial sector and is passionate about increasing gender equality, transformation in the industry , especially financial inclusion of the previously marginalized communities. She is also passionate about developing and supporting emerging businesses.

Bridget obtained a masters degree in Business Leadership through the University of South Africa.

Nargis is the founding member of FACT, she has a BA Honours degree in Psychology from the University of the Western Cape and has successfully completed her PBL from UNISA SBL. Her career spans 20 years, 13 of which have been at the helm of FACT. She has a passion for business transformation and has actively participated in numerous projects to improve and maximise deliverables from process re-engineering to skills development in both public and private sector.

With a Higher Diploma in Education behind her name she has mastered the art of blending her Industrial Psychology and Training knowledge into practical courses for people and management development with 10+ years in training and course development: delivering training, designing and writing courses and directing enterprise initiatives.

As a Business Owner she has a proven track record of significant improvements to processes, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction while reducing costs, increasing turnover, and maintaining a positive work environment. She is heralded by her multinational clients as a Dynamic leader, strategic thinker and decision-maker.

Her passion for success has resulted in her growing a business from green field inception into a brand that is recognised by the telecommunications and engineering sectors as a supplier of choice. FACT employs in approximately 250 staff and delivers projects in South Africa; Angola; Mozambique; Ghana &Tanzania with an annual revenue in access of 100 Million Rand.

Though her leadership, Nargis has implemented socio and Economic development programmes which focus on Gender Equality; Female empowerment; Youth Development; Disability awareness; and Transformation at a whole. Besides FACT directly employing in access of 250 people throughout the organisation, through the talent acquisition division have directly placed more than 1500 people into the job market in both permanent and temporary employment with its clients.

Hennie Heymans
CEO, DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa

Hennie Heymans is the Managing Director for DHL Express, Sub Saharan Africa.

Hennie joined DHL Express seventeen years ago as MD for Central Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands (CENIO). He then moved on to become MD for DHL Express South Africa where he was instrumental in driving change and implementing new innovative processes and strategies for the ZA business division.

Hennie, a supply chain and international shipping specialist, became CEO for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa in September 2015. In his current role, he is responsible for Finance, Information Technology, Operations, Customer Service, Human Resources and Commercial activities in the Sub-Saharan region. He has 51 countries and territories, over 4000 employees, over 250 facilities, five regional hubs, and 15 dedicated DHL aircraft under his guidance.

Prior to joining DHL Express, he served as Managing Director for Olivetti Lexikon and as the FM and GM for Multichoice Africa in South Africa.

Heymans is highly passionate about his employees and regards employee satisfaction and engagement as a key component to cultivating business commercial success. He is married with two children.

Colin Leshou
Seda Gauteng

Colin is an impeccable leader at the helm of Seda Gauteng. His has the following academic qualifications:

• MBA (2017) – GIBS
• PG Dip General Management (2016) – GIBS
• MCom in Development Finance (2015) – UCT (Incomplete)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and Management (PDBA 2013) – UCT
• Associate in Management (AIM 2012)
• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), Financial Information Systems (2004)

Mr Leshou is currently enrolled for a Doctorate in Business Leadership (DBL). He is also knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Financial Modelling, Accounting and Supply Chain Management;
• Entrepreneurship, Enterprise and Supplier Development as well as Funding of Small Enterprises;
• Mentorship and Coaching, Public Speaking as well as Researching aspects of Development Finance;
• Strategy and Organizational Development;
• Operations as well as Applied Decision Making;
• Marketing and Risk Management.

Colin is an enthusiastic and professional leader with a proven track record in the field of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development. Colin is passionate about Africa and the emerging markets and would like to see Africa growing to reach its full potential.

Phillip Tshikotshi
Associate Vice President & Head HR: Aegis Outsourcing South Africa

Phillip is a highly motivated Human Resources executive with more than 14 years’ experience in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). Before joining the Human Resources space, Phillip occupied various management roles in the Contact Centre division both in the public & private sector.

His current role as an HR Executive is to champion the people and culture strategy for all the Aegis sites in South Africa while also serving as one of the Executive Committee (EXCO) members for the organization.

Phillip is passionate about talent development and invests most of his time in mentoring young leaders as well as driving the succession planning strategy. During his spare time, his calendar is usually booked for motivational speaking to aspire young entrepreneurs.

Phillip has won several global awards including “Model BPO Centre HR” and “Inclusions of Persons with Disabilities” for Aegis Outsourcing South Africa.