Speakers
Chief Director for Planning and Implementation Support at the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE).
With extensive experience in education management, governance, and policy development, he plays a leading role in supporting the implementation of national education priorities and strengthening school leadership across South Africa. He previously served as Director of Education Management and Governance Development and is a regular contributor to public discussions on education policy and legislation.
Ndlebe holds qualifications in education and education management from Soweto College of Education and the University of South Africa (UNISA). An active advocate for leadership development and quality education, he has contributed to education publications, serves as an executive member of the Education Management Association of South Africa (EMASA), and regularly speaks on the importance of education, leadership, and active citizenship.
A renowned academic-turned-businesswoman and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT).
With over two decades of higher education leadership, she has served on the governance councils of top South African and international institutions, currently sitting on advisory boards in India and Germany.
Holding a PhD in Mathematics Education from Wits University and honorary doctorates from the Universities of Bristol and Ottawa, Prof. Phakeng is a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. Her impact has earned her South Africa’s Order of the Baobab (Silver), the inaugural Africa Education Medal, Forbes’ 50 Most Powerful Women in Africa, and the Global Lifetime Achievement in STEM Award.
Affectionately known as “Deputy Mother,” she is a committed philanthropist who founded the Adopt-a-Learner Foundation and personally funds scholarships to clear student debt. Appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Presidential Advisory Council on National Orders, she now leads business ventures in media, agriculture, and consulting, speaks on global stages, and continues her adventurous pursuits, including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
Founder and CEO of Centennial Schools, one of South Africa’s fastest-growing independent school groups.
Established in 2022, Centennial was born from his vision to reimagine education for a rapidly changing world. Bringing nearly four decades of executive leadership from top independent institutions, Shaun aims to bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and real-world success.
A recognized innovator, Shaun is passionate about preparing young people for life, leadership, and an uncertain future. His work focuses on educational innovation, technology integration, entrepreneurship, and cultivating future-ready leaders.
He is also the author of two books: FUSH: A Story of Pride, Respect and Leadership and The School That Didn’t Exist: A Founder’s Story of Courage, Disruption and Reinventing Education. As a sought-after keynote speaker and writer, Shaun shares practical lessons on building courageous, purpose-driven organizations, inspiring leaders to intentionally shape the future of education rather than simply inherit it.
Professor of Economics at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, and holds the National Research Foundation’s South African National Research Chair in the Economics of Social Policy.
His research covers economic development, poverty and income distribution, the economics of education, health and welfare, and fiscal incidence. He has served on the Scientific Advisory Committee of SACMEQ (Southern and Eastern African Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality) and is a fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Education. He acts as consultant to international, regional and other institutions and often provides policy advice to government departments.
Young agripreneur from Limpopo and founder of Wozilex, a 100% youth- and women-owned green pepper farming business.
She began working on neighbouring farms at age 15 to support her family and later chose to pursue farming over a Law degree after matriculating, starting on a small plot before expanding into an 8-hectare commercial operation in the Blouberg Municipality. Today, she supplies major wholesalers including the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, Boxer Wholesalers, and Goseame Wholesalers, while creating employment opportunities in her local community. Her achievements include being named Limpopo’s Best Female Farmer, recognition as a finalist in the Anzisha Prize, participation in the De Beers Zimele incubation programme, and support through initiatives such as the Soutpan Solar Power project.
An accomplished educator, special needs specialist, and advocate for inclusive education.
He has extensive experience in teaching, learning support, and educational development across various local and international school settings. He specialises in scholastic assessment, curriculum support, and the design of individualised learning interventions for students with diverse needs. Sizi is dedicated to advancing inclusive practices that promote equity, dignity, and meaningful participation for all learners. His work reflects a strong commitment to using education as a tool for social transformation and fostering a more inclusive future.
Leadership and Mind Coach, Crisis Strategist, and motivational speaker known for his dynamic and transformative approach to peak performance.
Drawing on extensive experience in leadership development, he equips individuals and organisations with the tools to harness the power of the mind, strengthen mental wellness, and achieve sustained success. His work focuses on inspiring high performance, ethical leadership, and resilience, particularly in times of crisis—helping leaders turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Through his engaging presentations and thought leadership, Samuel continues to empower professionals, educators, and organisations to perform at their best and lead with purpose.
Coach at the Principals Academy – a non-profit organisation focusing on mentoring school principals in marginalised school communities to achieve excellence despite socio-economic challenges.
This role draws on 26 years of experience, serving at Pretoria High School for Girls, St Stithians Girls Prep and College, Stanford Lake College, Bridge House School, and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. While there, she hosted an international conference on gender equality. She has spoken extensively on bridging the gap between third and first world realities for girls coming out of communities of poverty and trauma and changing their life trajectory through education. Anne has embraced change, built relationships across cultural, racial, and economic divides, modelled transformative leadership, and championed the importance of empowering young women facing the challenge of an increasingly unequal world. Building relationships, earning trust, and encouraging others has underpinned everything she does, both in schools and through her work on local and international boards and professional bodies.
South African executive coach, entrepreneur, global speaker, and advocate for African leadership. She is the Founder and CEO of Hesed Consulting, a Pan-African human capital firm operating across six countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and the United States.
She also founded the Hesed Africa Foundation and established the Africa Career Summit, driving youth empowerment and economic inclusion across the continent.
An internationally educated leader, Dr. Msweli holds degrees in Accounting Sciences and Financial Planning, an MBA, postgraduate credentials from NYU and Harvard, and a Doctorate in Education Management. Her work with global organizations like Google and Barclays has made her a trusted authority on leadership, career strategy, and the future of work.
A TEDx speaker who has addressed the African Union and Women’s Economic Forum, her accolades include the UN’s 50 Under 50 Female Founders (MEA), Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans, and Africa’s Forty Under 40. Through her philanthropic work, she remains dedicated to sustainable social impact, education, and women’s empowerment throughout Africa.
Full Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Fort Hare, as well as a Visiting Fellow at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia.
With a distinguished career spanning over 33 years in secondary and higher education, his leadership experience ranges from high school principalships in South Africa to key executive roles abroad, including serving as Vice Dean for Research and Director of Doctoral Studies at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. A recipient of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Scholarship, Prof. Makoelle holds three doctorates: a PhD in Inclusive Education from the University of Manchester, a Doctor of Education from UNISA, and a Doctor of Business Administration in Executive Leadership.
An internationally recognized scholar, he has published extensively on inclusive education, educational leadership, management, and pedagogy. In addition to supervising numerous master’s and doctoral candidates, Prof. Makoelle regularly reviews grants for the South African National Research Foundation, evaluates postgraduate programs globally, and serves on editorial boards for top international journals. His research centers on school effectiveness, transformative epistemologies, and inclusive pedagogy across the Global South and beyond.