UMOYA - Key Persons
I am an enthusiast in operations and business strategy, driven by a deep love for problem-solving, people, innovation, and making a significant impact through my work. With a background in engineering, business administration, and business optimisation, I adopt a broad systems thinking approach to my endeavours.
Being a part of the Umoya team has presented me with an exhilarating opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a social enterprise that conducts business with a genuine purpose.
I eagerly anticipate leveraging my extensive experience in the mining industry while collaborating with this dedicated and like-minded group of individuals.
I am a medical doctor who completed my studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2009. Combining my passion for medicine with a love for travel, I spent five years practicing onboard cruise ships. However, my journey eventually led me to the Adult Intensive Care Unit of Frere Hospital in East London in April 2018.
Together we can. Dr Craig Parker puts out request for engineering, 3D printing, and hydraulics capability for the team.
I currently work as a Medical Officer in the Anaesthetic Department at the East London Public Hospital Complex. Prior to my career in medicine, I spent 20 years as a mechanical engineer in the mining industry. I reside in East London with my wife, who is an ICU nursing sister, along with our two teenage children and two labrador retrievers.
The reason I embarked on this project was due to the glaring gap I noticed in the ability to provide alternative respiratory solutions for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly those who were experiencing compromised respiratory function. Drawing on my engineering background, I had some ideas that I believed could help address this issue.
In the past, I have sometimes felt frustrated, wondering why it took me so long to discover my true calling. However, perhaps it was all leading me to be of possible use at a critical time like this.
I am a Mechanical Design Engineer with a profound passion for innovation. My expertise lies in computer-aided design, analysis, and testing, and I bring valuable experience in these areas.
Currently, I am employed at Mercedes-Benz, where I am actively involved in my role as a Mechanical Design Engineer.
Job Titles:
- SYSTEMS ENGINEERING and PROJECT MANAGEMENT
I am an entrepreneur driven by a passion for challenging conventional thinking and paradigms to bring about improvement and value addition.
As an engineer with a background in multiple start-ups within the mining industry, I have gained valuable experience in driving innovation and change. Currently, my focus lies in accelerating the development of Systems Thinking across various industries on a global scale.
I consider myself fortunate to have previously collaborated with Craig Parker during his time as a mechanical engineer, before he pursued his calling to become a medical doctor. Our past work together has been inspiring, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with him once again on this remarkable initiative aimed at saving lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Job Titles:
- SYSTEMS ENGINEERING and PROJECT MANAGEMENT
I am an Australian currently residing in South Africa with an international business portfolio.
My primary areas of expertise revolve around strategy, innovation, systems, and business optimization. With extensive experience spanning across various sectors, including mining, resources, energy, manufacturing, transport and logistics, banking, pharmaceuticals, and government, I have honed my skills in delivering impactful results.
I consider it a great privilege to be a part of the dedicated, capable, and innovative team working on the Umoya project. My leadership skills and collaborative experience, acquired through working with diverse cultures, industries, and large teams, are well-aligned with the project's goals and vision.
I am currently working on the second-stage regulator for our BiPAP system. Thanks to the brilliant ideas and experiments conducted by our esteemed doctor, Craig Parker, and his team, the regulator is based on a scuba regulator with specific design changes and modifications that allow it to deliver air at pressures higher than atmospheric.
I am eagerly anticipating the testing phase of the entire system and witnessing it function as intended.
As an engineer and project manager, I bring over 30 years of experience in engineering projects, logistics, property development, and organizing sporting events.
Being a member of a team comprising dedicated engineers and doctors engaged in the fast-paced project undertaken by Umoya is truly a privilege.