Meet the voices shaping South Africa's space economy

A leading African technology investor and founder of Solcon Capital, Dr Ngcaba has shaped national ICT policy, built global technology platforms, and now champions Africa's role in the second space age.

As CEO of Solcon Capital, Pramod Venkatesh drives investment strategy across telecoms, technology infrastructure and emerging space opportunities on the African continent.

A Stellenbosch-trained mechatronic engineer, Ana-Mia began her career in optical design on large Earth observation payloads before helping found Simera Sense in 2018. She has since built relationships with more than 60 customers and supported the delivery of over 70 launched products, and is an IAF Emerging Space Leaders grant recipient named among Space in Africa's Top 10 Under 30.

James has worked in small satellite technology for more than 30 years. He founded, scaled and sold NewSpace Systems, currently the largest commercial space company on the African continent, and has been based in South Africa for the last 12 years. His focus now is building the space ecosystem in Africa through the Cape Constellation Venture Engine, a network of Cape-based companies supplying antennas, AI computers, composites, electronics manufacturing, spacecraft, solar panels and agritech products, alongside spacetech training and mentoring.

Avin Mansookram is Director of MFT Executive Advisory Services and Co-Chair of the NEOSS Earth Observation Data, Infrastructure and Governance Community of Practice. With more than 25 years across ICT consulting, cloud computing and technology governance, his work now focuses on the convergence of Earth observation, accelerated computing, AI/ML and geospatial intelligence. He holds qualifications in electrical engineering and commerce, and completed the International Space University's Master of Space Studies Program. His particular interest is building the infrastructure, governance and commercial models needed to turn satellite-derived data into scalable operational intelligence and economic value.

Keet co-founded Knife Capital in 2010 to propel African high-growth businesses onto the global stage, following roles at Procter & Gamble, Investec Bank and HBD Venture Capital. Knife Capital has built an impressive track record of venture capital exits to General Electric, Visa, Garmin, Uber Eats, SoftBank and Ticketmaster, and Keet remains deeply committed to empowering Africa's entrepreneurial potential and building a credible venture capital industry.

Vinod Shankar is the Founder and Managing Partner of Java Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on deep-tech startups. With a background spanning software engineering, entrepreneurship, marketing, angel investing and venture capital, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to backing ambitious founders. Through Java Capital he invests in sectors such as space, robotics, clean energy, photonics, aerospace and advanced engineering, championing India's transition toward innovation-led, IP-driven technology businesses.

Mike Brooks is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UKZN and Deputy Director of the Aerospace Systems Research Institute, ASRI. He has led multiple suborbital rocket test flight campaigns and has extensive experience developing R&D programmes in the energy and aerospace fields, along with the associated research infrastructure. He has taught undergraduate engineers for nearly 30 years and supervised 40 postgraduate students to completion at Masters and doctoral level. A registered Professional Engineer, he is a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Dr Phila Sibandze is a geospatial scientist, educator and technology leader with over 20 years of experience in GIS, remote sensing and geospatial system development, and is Co-Founder and CEO of Innocom Global Geospatial, a Pretoria-based company delivering Earth observation analytics and geospatial intelligence solutions across Africa. As Head of the GIS and Remote Sensing Department at the University of Fort Hare, he pioneered the integration of artificial intelligence into remote sensing teaching and research — popularly known as geospatial intelligence — and supervised postgraduate students in applied remote sensing. He holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Fort Hare, where his research combined deep learning with multisource remote sensing for flood modelling. At the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) he developed South Africa's first Remote Sensing Atlas and led SAR-based flood mapping across Southern Africa, has chaired the CEOS Working Group on Capacity Building and Data Democracy, and is a recipient of ISRO's CV Raman Scholarship for African Researchers.

Johann holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Stellenbosch University, where he specialised in advanced structural design, and is Co-Founder and CEO of Simera Group and Simera Sense. He began his career contributing to the optomechanical simulation of the Southern African Large Telescope in Sutherland, and over more than two decades has worked on the simulation and structural testing of precision-engineered systems ranging from dental implants and submarine sensors to space-borne Earth observation payloads. Under his leadership Simera Sense has grown into a globally recognised provider of optical payload solutions for the space industry, and his passion lies in building exceptional teams and translating breakthrough technologies into practical space solutions.

Over the past 25 years Lee has dedicated his time to helping South Africa move towards an innovation and knowledge economy. He led the formation of the South African National Space Agency in 2009, having worked on mission feasibility studies, the National Space Strategy and the Agency Business Case, and served on the inaugural SANSA Board as a non-executive director and chairperson of the Strategy and Investment committee. As Competence Area Manager of Earth Observation, IoT and Data Science Research at the CSIR, his team developed and commercialised data-analytics-driven space applications with global demand, including the first South African space application export used in 70 countries. He patented a geo-spatial system for autonomous vehicle speed limiting, served as Director for Space Data Management and EO at the Saudi Space Agency, and is currently the founder of TerraNexus, a space innovation and mission development consultancy, and the African Partner for GHGSat, the world's largest greenhouse-gas point-source monitoring constellation.

Lancelot Nyachoto is the Founder and CEO of Kombuta, a South African space-tech company building onboard processors that help Earth observation satellites filter and downlink only the data that matters. With a background in software, data engineering, FPGA design and machine learning, he focuses on energy-efficient edge computing for satellites and drones.

Kgabo Mathapo is the Co-founder, CEO and CTO of Motseni-Hi-TechSpace, where he draws the technology roadmap across MHTS products and is currently developing maritime and space communication systems. He holds an MSc Eng in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Stellenbosch University, specialising in software-defined radio, RF and maritime AIS. Spanning 19 years in the space and satellite industry, he designed, developed and tested VHF, UHF and S-Band transceivers for satellite TT&C at SunSpace and Denel Spaceteq, and has extensive experience in RF and microwave subsystem design, Altium schematics and PCB layout, SDR transmitter design, radar subsystems and AIS/VDES transceiver design. He has worked at SunSpace & Information Systems, Reutech Radar Systems, FSATI and Denel Spaceteq.

Kamal has over three decades of experience in the ICT sector and is a self-confessed life servant to technology. Starting his career as a software engineer, he moved into consulting, where his passion for problem solving and solution development was ignited, and went on to hold senior leadership roles in a large multinational management consulting business serving clients across Africa and multiple sectors. His passion for entrepreneurship led him to found and lead GeoInt, which has grown into a key participant in the downstream sector specialising in GNSS and location intelligence. He also played a pivotal role in founding and leading ZASPACE, the South African space industry organisation, until 2022. He leads the GeoInt group, overseeing its strategic management while playing a hands-on role in fostering relationships, conceptualising innovative solutions and delivering client value, and is passionate about developing people through active mentorship within GeoInt and of many young ICT leaders.

Dr Carla Mitchell is the founder and Mission Director of Africa2Moon, Africa's first lunar mission, and a pioneering leader in African space science and development. She has spent more than a decade helping to build transformative space science and technology initiatives across the continent in her role as Africa Programme Manager for the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory. She is also the founder of the Foundation for Space Development Africa and Women in Aerospace Africa. An economist, leader and passionate science communicator, she believes that space science and technology have the power to enable Africa to shape its future and not simply become part of a future shaped by others.

Bryan Dean is the CEO and Co-founder of Dragonfly Aerospace, a global leader in high-performance imaging satellites and payloads providing turnkey solutions that reduce risk and accelerate constellation deployment. With extensive engineering experience building complex space systems, he now applies that expertise to building a successful space business. Dragonfly launched its first Earth Observation satellite in 2023 and operates the satellite and data chain, delivering analytics-ready data to customers, and launched its first hyperspectral camera in 2021, since becoming a trusted partner for hyperspectral and short-wave infrared missions globally.

Dr Robert van Zyl is Managing Director of AAC Space Africa, part of the global AAC Clyde Space group. He holds a PhD in Electronic Engineering and was the founding director of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology's space programme, where he led the development of ZACube-1, Africa's first nanosatellite, launched in 2013, and subsequent ZACube missions. His career spans academia and skills development, research and innovation, and the commercialisation of space technologies at subsystem, payload and complete satellite platform level. At AAC Space Africa he leads a specialist engineering team contributing satellite subsystems and RF technologies to the group's global activities, with a focus on strengthening South Africa's space industrial base through skills, manufacturing and testing capacity, investment, and access to international space supply chains.

Mike-Alec (Mike) Kearney is Co-Founder and CEO of CubeSpace Satellite Systems, which he has spent the last decade transforming from a university spin-out into a globally recognised, multi-million-dollar company and a leader in satellite control systems. Under his leadership CubeSpace has become an industry disruptor, providing solutions to government agencies, high-tech R&D organisations and commercial leaders establishing reliable constellation-backed services. He holds dual master's degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from Stellenbosch University, has held several directorships including at a start-up incubator, and supports early-stage founders through mentorship and regular participation in entrepreneurship events.

Biko Managa is Head of Aerospace Systems within the CSIR's Defence and Security Cluster, where he leads the development and maintenance of strategic aerospace capabilities in support of a ready and resilient national defence force. His work bridges civilian and military domains, spanning experimental aerodynamics, systems engineering and aerospace systems design, and he coordinates the CSIR's space efforts with the Department of Science and Innovation, the South African National Space Agency and the South African National Defence Force's Space Command. He holds master's degrees in electronic engineering from ESIEE Paris, engineering management from the University of Pretoria and electrical engineering from Tshwane University of Technology, with a postgraduate diploma in management practice from Henley Business School, and is a Principal Member of the International Forum for Aviation Research and a member of the Space Committee of the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industry Association.

Malese Ndhlovu is Head of Space Innovations at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), where she leads the National Space Economy Strategic Investment Fund — a joint initiative of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Space Infrastructure Hub — investing in space innovations to advance sovereign space science and technology capabilities, new ventures and transformation in the South African space economy. A seasoned innovation management, technology commercialisation and innovation policy advisory professional, she holds a Master's degree in Information and Communication Technologies with more than 20 years' experience across the private and public sector, and niched expertise in full innovation lifecycle management and the commercialisation of intellectual property into new commercial ventures. She contributes to national innovation and entrepreneurship policy through advisory committee seats at the National Research Foundation, the National Policy Data Observatory, the South African National Space Agency and the National Earth Observations and Space Secretariat. Prior to joining TIA she held specialist roles in telecommunications, software development and research and development, and was awarded the prestigious Global SAP Hasso Plattner Founders' Award in Germany and SAP Africa Employee of the Year in 2017 for her contribution to the SAP Skills for Africa strategic innovation and job-creation programme.

Imraan Saloojee is a senior executive in space, science, technology and innovation with over twenty years' experience advancing space innovation, shaping science and technology policy and delivering large-scale programmes across Africa. As Executive Director and Head of the Space Practice at RIIS he leads the organisation's space portfolio, provides strategic leadership across its wider work spanning Earth observation, GIS and technology-enabled development, and drives business growth and programme delivery in Southern and Eastern Africa. He contributed to the African Union Commission Space Working Group supporting the development of the African Space Policy and Strategy, led capacity-building and multi-stakeholder coordination at the Group on Earth Observations Secretariat in Geneva, held leadership roles at the South African National Space Agency and served as Director of Earth Observations at the Department of Science and Technology. He brings particular depth in designing space and innovation ecosystems that connect research institutions, government and industry, and now applies these capabilities to space ecosystem development, Earth observation, digital infrastructure and evidence-based policy across the continent.

Ilana leads Telecoms, Media, Technology and Digital Infrastructure sector coverage at Nedbank. She holds a BCom in Marketing and Business Management and a Certificate in Digital Leadership from Duke University, and has more than 23 years of banking experience across credit, sales and product, covering multiple business segments. Prior to joining Nedbank she held various roles at Citi Group, Barclays and HSBC within the CIB environment.

Royi Nyameko holds National Diploma, BTech and MTech degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and has more than 20 years' experience in radio frequency and microwave engineering, the last decade focused on developing communication subsystems for CubeSats, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. From 2015 to 2017 he was a member of the African VLBI Network team at SKA South Africa, where he contributed to converting the former Ghana Satellite Earth Station into a Very Long Baseline Interferometry observatory and radio astronomy telescope, designing its DC power distribution network and the RF front-end subsystems for VHF, UHF and S-band transceivers. Since 2017 he has been Chief Engineer at CPUT's African Space Innovation Centre within the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, actively involved in the design, development, integration, launch and commissioning of CubeSat missions including ZACube-2, launched on 27 December 2018, and the MDASat-1 constellation, launched on 13 January 2022. He is responsible for the concept design, development, operation and maintenance of CPUT's satellite ground station, and his current research focuses on the hardware implementation of distributed multifunction RF sensor systems for nanosatellite applications, advanced satellite communication technologies, RF payloads and maritime communication systems.

Col. (Ret) Alan James Nelson is a retired South African Air Force officer, technologist and military science advisor who spent 53 years as an avionics technologist and project manager in the SAAF and DOD Logistics Command — 20 years in the Regular Force and 33 in the Reserves. He holds a BSc, an MBA from INSEAD in France and a PhD in Management Science, and served as Managing Director of Raychem (Pty) Ltd for 21 years and as Executive Director Technology for the Altech Netstar vehicle tracking system. As Military Science Advisor to the Simera technology group he focused on UAV development and marketing, and for the past ten years he has assisted the Department of Basic Education with developing and structuring a Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement for Aviation Studies. Deeply involved with the SA Air Force Veterans Association and Rotary International, where he was made a Paul Harris Fellow, he received the Royal Aeronautical Society's Specialist Award for youth development in aviation initiatives in 2020.

Prof. Willem Jordaan is a Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University, where he heads the Electronic Systems Research Group. His research, which began with a PhD on the control of solar sailing satellites, centres on satellite attitude control, space robotics and autonomous systems, and he has developed flight hardware and software for numerous international satellite missions. His group's current work spans satellite docking and formation flying, adaptive satellite control and the development of space avionics, with results published in several international journals. He has taught undergraduate engineers in embedded systems and control for a decade and presents courses to industry in satellite mission design. He has supervised 24 postgraduate students to completion at Masters and doctoral level, with 13 more currently underway. He is a registered Professional Engineer and a Senior Member of the IEEE.

With more than 30 years of experience in spacecraft development and space enterprises, Dr Sias Mostert has pioneered enterprises in both the upstream and downstream space sectors. Formerly a professor at Stellenbosch University, where he was Development Manager in the SunSAT programme, he is currently focused on developing space infrastructure as founder and CEO of Space Commercial Services Holdings and its subsidiaries. He holds a PhD from Stellenbosch University and an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town.