TIA - Key Persons
Dr Revel Iyer has a long career in the technology transfer (technology commercialisation) environment in a wide range of roles. As a researcher he was involved in various fields of biotechnology research culminating in him leading a transgenic maize research program at the University of Cape Town.
As an inventor he was involved in the development of a basket of technologies directed at genetically engineering drought tolerance in plants. Patents for one of the technologies has been granted in USA and China. Other patents are in prosecution.
In addition to his scientific qualifications, he also obtained an LLB degree with electives including intellectual property law, forensic medicine and environmental law, an LLM in Intellectual Property Law and an MBA. His thesis here was directed at royalty rate calculation for biotechnology products.
During 2016, he was awarded a Fellowship in the Leaders in Innovation programme, which is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering and funded by the UK Government Department of Business, Innovation and Skills' Newton Fund programme. Here he was placed first at the pitching event amongst the South African cohort. In 2020, he was placed first at the Ocean Innovation Africa start-up pitching competition, whilst representing Aequorea, in his capacity as interim CEO.
In October 2016, he joined Cape Peninsula University of Technology as Director of the Technology Transfer Office. Here he played a central role in the creation of the holding company of CPUT, Aonyx Holdings. He has served as the CEO of the company from inception. He has also been active in the development of university spin-offs. These include four companies at CPUT, three of which he serves in the capacity of interim CEO.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive: Bio - Economy
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive: Commercialisation
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Board Member at Inqaba Biotechnical Industries
Butana has over 22 years working in the National System of Innovation (NSI) in South Africa, having worked as a Scientist at the African Explosives and Chemicals Industries (AECI) and as a Technology Manager Biosciences at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
He was the CEO of BioPAD, one of the predecessor organizations that formed TIA, from 2003-2007. He later provided consulting services to TIA in 2010, where he oversaw the development of TIA's investment framework at the time.
He is currently the Director at Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd, a private genomics company based in Tshwane, with subsidiaries in Kenya and Nigeria, and offices in Tanzania and Ghana.
He started a technology advisory company called Sereko Technology and Innovation Advisors cc, in 2007, focusing on advisory services to provincial and national government departments. He has participated in projects such as the National Bio-economy Strategy; the Gauteng Agricultural Biotechnology Strategy and the Feasibility Study for a Bio-Park in Gauteng, amongst others.
Butana is a board member at Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd, board member at The Innovation Hub Science Park, former Chairperson of Black Science, Technology and Engineering Professionals (BSTEP) and currently a board member, former board member of EgoliBio Life Sciences Incubator, former board member of iThemba Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd and former board member of several SME companies, former member and Chairperson of NRF grant funding review panels, Business Sector Panel Member of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards, Originator and former member of the Gauteng BioFundi Awards review panel.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Board Secretariat & Acting Executive Manager: Legal Services
Job Titles:
- Acting CEO
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Executive Committee
Comes out of a strong management background, having held senior positions in government institutions specializing in economic policy and negotiations. An Honors (Economics) graduate, with vast international working experience in England and Switzerland. In these roles, he served as a diplomat for 8 years representing South Africa as a negotiator in the World Trade Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and the United Nation Conference for Trade and Development. In addition, he served in the OECD Development assistance committees where South Africa is an associate member. He then joined the Presidential Task Team serving as Deputy envoy in the negotiation for the establishment of the BRICS, the latter's participation and association with the G8 and the ultimate establishment of G20.
His last venture involved the establishment of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in 2009, facilitating the merger of seven pre-existing business entities of the Department of Science and Technology. Since then he has served in various senior management and executive roles and currently serves as Acting CEO of TIA.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Acting Executive: Innovation Enabling
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Group Chief Executive of Gerald Group
Mr. Thabiso G. Ramasike is the Group Chief Executive of Gerald Group. He previously held positions as Head of Franchising for Standard Bank, Head-Private Banking for Rand Merchant Bank Private Bank, Regional Director, First National Bank Corporate Banking, Deputy Head for the Black Economic Empowerment at Nedbank Corporate - Business Banking, Client Portfolio Executive at First National Bank Corporate Banking, Relationship Manager at AGSA Corporate and Merchant Bank (ACMB) and was also a Business Coordinator for First National Bank Corporate Banking.
He has qualifications in the following programmes:
International Executive Development Programme (BANKSETA), York Business School, (University of York - Canada)
Senior Executive Leadership Development Programme, Gordon Institute of Business Science, (University of Pretoria) - 2005
Certified Associate (CAIB (SA)), Institute of Bankers in Southern Africa - 2003. BCom, University of Johannesburg (formerly Vista University) - 1994
Mr Ramasike currently serves as a Board member of several companies:
Chairman of the Transformation Committee - CURRO Holdings Ltd
Chairman of the Audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee - UNISA
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee - South African Revenue Service
Non-Executive Chairman - EIC Wealth Investors (Pty) Ltd
Non-Executive Council Member - UNISA
Chairman - Platistone Aggregates Mogalakwena (Pty) Ltd
Non-Executive Director - African Unity Insurance Ltd (AUI)
Non-Executive Chairman - Kwena Franchise Fund (Pty) Ltd
He previously served on the following company Boards:
Executive Chairman - Footlogics South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Executive Chairman Phakamo Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Chairman Temp-U-Air Developments (Pty) Ltd
Board Member Oasis Southern Africa
Council Member - Franchise Association of South Africa
Chairman, AIESEC South Africa
Board Deputy Chairman - UNISA SBL (School of Business Leadership
Chairman, UNISA SBL (Audit & Enterprise Risk Committee)
Non-Executive Director, Tidy Files (Pty) Ltd
Board Member - Nelson Mandela Bay Chamber of Commerce
Board Member, Theodor Herzl School
Task Team Member, Business Unity South Africa
Founder and Chairman - Ramasike Family Trust
Former Chairman, Tygerberg Body Corporate
He is a member of the Institute of Bankers of South Africa and ABSIP, BMF.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Eisenhower Fellow
- Founder and Managing Director of Malangana Innovation Advisory
Anati Canca is the Founder and Managing Director of Malangana Innovation Advisory (Pty) Ltd, an international consultancy firm that provides a suite of services in innovation policy and execution strategy, including corporate social investment strategies for sustainable socio-economic outcomes, policy development and IP and Commercialisation strategy formulation. The company has successfully completed a range of assignments for local and international organisations/companies, including the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, Old Mutual (SA) and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). She is an Integral Coach® (UCT Graduate School of Business), delivering executive coaching services for academics, researchers, managers, policy makers, and leaders within research and technology environments, and to entrepreneurs.
She is an experienced Innovation Policy and strategy professional. Her experience spans over twenty years in various science councils and policy-making entities in the South African National System of Innovation, where she has conceptualised, formulated and executed a broad range of programmes in pursuit of S&T human capacity development and acceleration in SET, and the establishment of strategic science platforms in areas such as astronomy, palaeontology and others. She has led the establishment of the Technology Transfer Office at a major Agricultural science council, designed and executed policies and strategies aimed at the development and sustainability of the South African agribusiness sector through access to research outputs, intellectual property and training.
Anati holds an MSc in Technology Management from the University of Pretoria, a BSc (Hons) in Human Genetics from Wits University, and a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Cape Town. She completed various Senior Management and Executive Development programmes, targeted Policy Development short programmes at various international institutions, and is qualified in Integral Coaching from the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. She is currently an non-executive member on the boards of the Technology Innovation Agency and RULIV.
Anati Canca is an Eisenhower Fellow (2011) and holds a Tuks Alumni award (2008).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks
Lindiwe Matlali is the Founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks; Africa's largest computer science education nonprofit and Apodytes an award winning technology company. Her numerous accolades Schwab Foundation Social Innovator of the Year, Queen Elizabeth II Point of Light Award, Mail & Guardian Top young South Africans, Destiny Magazine Power of 40 a list of South Africa's powerful women under 40, Top 50 most inspiring women in tech, MTN Women in ICT Community Builder Recognition Award and Fairlady/Santam Social Entrepreneur. She serves on the boards of Technology Innovation Agency, National Financial aid scheme and was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as Commissioner on the Presidential Fourth Industrial Revolution. She is the member of the World Economic Forum Edison Alliance Executive Network, Racial Equity Group and Education 4.0.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Acting Executive: Corporate Services
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Vice Chairperson
- Founder and CEO of Furaha Afrika Holdings
Matsi is the Founder and CEO of Furaha Afrika Holdings, with subsidiaries including Furaha Solutions, Furaha Advisory, Furaha Green, and Furaha Digital. She is a shareholder and Chairperson of Finclusion, a leading Pan African fintech company offering credit-led products that drive financial inclusion through innovation in 5 African markets.
Matsi is the Vice Chairperson of SiMODiSA (PBO), an industry association made up of public and private sector leaders pursuing research, policy design and stakeholder engagement programmes to catalyze and amplify entrepreneurship and job creation in South Africa. She is also the Chairperson of the South African Startup Act Movement, and together with other members of the steering committee, made recommendations to the President on policy reforms that will enable the growth of high-impact and innovative startups.
Her areas of experience include entrepreneurship, technology (HR and Fintech), innovation, policy advocacy, governance, skills development, venture capital and Enterprise and Supplier Development. Matsi is strong in company governance and is an independent director, trustee, and advisor of local, continental and global organizations in various industries (global logistics, gaming, fintech, financial services, academia, venture capital and private equity).
Matsi's strengths also lie in business strategy, business development and an exceptionally high client service approach. Her experience within the advisory business environment has given her the ability to develop good analytical skills, attention to detail, together with the ability to work in a fast-paced work environment.
Matsi has travelled extensively around the world and has an extensive local, continental, and global network of people through being a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shapers community and Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Johannesburg Chapter.
She has written and been featured in numerous local and international publications, including British Vogue, Forbes Africa, Town & Country, Small Business Connect, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Boston Review, Mail & Guardian, Destiny Magazine, Business Day and City Press amongst others.
Matsi holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Marketing & Advanced Management) from the University of the Witwatersrand and several management courses from the Institute of Directors SA.
Ms. Joy Sebenzile P. Matsebula graduated with a BSc (Natural Sciences; Environmental Sciences & Biometrics) from the University of Botswana in 1981. She went on the complete her M.Sc (Biometrics) at Pennsylvania State University in the USA in 1984.
During her professional career, she held positions of Research Officer: Biometrician and as Director: Office on the Status of Disabled Persons in the Presidency. She currently holds the title Executive Director of Motswako Office Solutions (Pty) Ltd.
Her expertise includes Board governance; Disability mainstreaming; Ethics management; Human resources & Remuneration; Human rights & Social justice; Information Communications Technology; Monitoring and evaluation; Scientific Report writing; Scientific research; Statistical design and analysis among others. Some of her career recognition includes a nomination to serve on the Committee of the United Nations Convention for Persons with Disabilities in 2012. She was one of 12 women with disabilities who were selected for the 2012 NATIONAL TRIBUTES in South Africa; an award to recognise achievements of outstanding women with disabilities in SA. Ms. Matsebula won the category of Research and Development. In 2014, she was awarded recognition as an entrepreneur with a disability who displayed outstanding personal achievements in business.
She is currently chairperson of the TAQUANTA Investments Group; DEMPOWER Group; Disability Economic Empowerment Trust; South African Disability Development Trust and Divuseni Women with Disabilities. She also serves on the Board of the following companies:
• Centre for Alternative and Augmentative Communication University of Pretoria
• Kuzuko Legacy Group Lodge
• Lanseria International Airport Group
• Lindandanda Consulting Investments and Trading Company
• Presidential Working Group on Disability
• The Sebenzile Matsebula Foundation (SMF)