Meet our Speakers

Prof. Tankiso Moloi is the Executive Dean of the College of Business and Economics and a former Research Chair in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. An accomplished scholar with over a decade in higher education leadership, he is recognized for his research on digital transformation, the strategic application of artificial intelligence, risk management, and financial reporting.

As a prolific author, he has published widely with leading international publishers including Springer and Palgrave. Prof. Moloi has successfully supervised more than 90 master's and doctoral students, securing over ZAR22 million in external research and skills development grants. His industry experience spans finance, mining, and academia, including roles such as Academic Director, Chief Accountant, and Chief Economist.

He holds multiple advanced degrees—a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a PhD, an MA, MCom, MSc, and a BCom (Hons)—as well as postgraduate qualifications in Data Science, Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. Prof. Moloi is a Chartered Accountant [CA(SA)] and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), making him a leading expert in connecting AI strategy, 4IR innovation, and sustainable economic development.

Dr. Kim, born in Korea, is a globally respected expert on African development, with academic credentials from Oxford University (Ph.D.) and Columbia University (MA, African Specialist Certificate). Fluent in Swahili and deeply engaged in African affairs, he has served in government, academia, and business—authoring landmark publications such as State Elites and Development in Africa and Doing Business in South Africa. His work with the Korea National Assembly and the University of Nairobi reflects a lifelong commitment to shaping policy and empowering emerging economies.

As Chairman of Korean Solar Power Consortium Ltd., Dr. Kim leads multiple ventures in solar panel manufacturing, electronics, and smart grid infrastructure. His expertise spans green energy, EPC, and IT, with a focus on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and foreign investment facilitation. He has played a pivotal role in bilateral development programs, including the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) between South Korea and South Africa, supporting rural development and integrated infrastructure planning.

At the KZN AI Summit 2025, Dr. Kim brings his vast knowledge on AI for Renewable Energy: Smart Systems for Scalable Solar Solutions.

Prof Job Dubihlela is a Head of Masters and Postgraduate with deep industry experience, research leadership, and a strong commitment to sustainability and community development. He holds a PhD (2012) in Business Management and has built a robust research portfolio focused on emerging markets, risk management, internal auditing, corporate governance, and digital transformation.

As an academic leader, he chairs postgraduate and ethics committees, serves on UKZN’s Senate, and sits on research panels and editorial boards for international universities. He has earned multiple research awards and successfully led projects across the SADC region.

Prof Dubihlela has travelled extensively through Eswatini (Swaziland), Botswana, and other SADC countries, delivering training on Government AI Ethics, and advising on how to integrate government policies with AI adoption. His work bridges the gap between policy and practice, helping governments and organisations understand responsible AI use.

He also maintains strong collaborative networks with major banks and institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa—including Barclays Africa, Investec, Nedbank Africa, ABSA, Merchant Bank of Central Africa, Bank of Uganda, Swazi Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Bank of Africa Tanzania, CABS Africa, Emfuleni Municipality, and the City of Cape Town—delivering tailored training, strategic interventions, and advisory services.

Ms. Katie Brown is a seasoned technology executive with over 15 years of experience in fraud prevention, enterprise systems development, and intelligent technology integration within the banking sector. As the Director of Communications and Intelligence at ABASA, she leads strategic initiatives that combine data intelligence, AI, and digital communication systems to enhance customer trust and operational efficiency.

Prof Pfano Mashau, Director of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Business School since July 2024, is a distinguished academic with a PhD in Management Science and over 11 years of leadership in higher education. His expertise spans economics, entrepreneurship, and business models, complemented by extensive experience with institutions such as Bioregional Africa, JET Education Services, eThekwini Municipality, and UKZN. With more than 70 published articles, two edited books, and supervision of 12 PhD students, Prof Mashau is recognised as a seasoned researcher and mentor. His memberships include the Centre for Business and Economic Research in London, and he is also a certified business advisor with the Institute of Business Advisory Southern Africa.

At DUT Business School, Prof Mashau is steering strategic initiatives that integrate business education with technology, sustainability, and innovation—critical elements for South Africa’s readiness in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). His vision directly complements the South African National AI Policy Framework by promoting interdisciplinary programmes that prepare students to harness AI, digital technologies, and entrepreneurship for inclusive growth. Through his leadership, he is committed to advancing policy-aligned education, strengthening industry partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of professionals who will drive digital transformation and shape Africa’s AI-powered future.

Mr. Mlindi Mashologu is the Deputy Director-General for the Digital Society & Economy at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). He leads the design and implementation of South Africa’s digital government strategies, including the National e-Government Roadmap, Digital Identity, Digital Payments, and the Government Data Lake. His work ensures that digital public infrastructure is citizen-centric, secure, and aligned with both national development priorities and global standards.

He is a key driver of South Africa’s National AI Policy Framework, ensuring that artificial intelligence and emerging technologies such as cloud computing, blockchain, and IoT are deployed responsibly and inclusively. Through his leadership, Mr. Mashologu champions digital inclusion, fosters innovation in collaboration with academia and startups, and supports the growth of local digital industries and SMMEs. His vision focuses on using AI and digital tools to transform service delivery, strengthen the digital economy, and empower citizens for a future-ready society

Mr Deneshin Pillay is currently pursuing his Doctorate (PhD) in Digital Transformation, Mr Pillay brings a unique blend of academic insight and operational excellence to the evolving intersection of AI and business. His passion for artificial intelligence, critical thinking, and team development has positioned him as a thought leader in leveraging AI to elevate human potential and streamline complex workflows.

As a seasoned technology executive and Head of Operations at BET Software, where he leads high-impact teams and drives enterprise-wide innovation. With over a decade of experience in IT infrastructure, strategic planning, and performance optimization, he is known for transforming technical vision into actionable results.

A top-rated speaker at AI and Data conferences, Mr Pillay has drawn large audiences with his engaging sessions on AI strategy, leadership, and innovation. His holistic, business-centric approach ensures that technology solutions are not only robust—but also aligned with long-term organizational goals.

Prof Gabriel Kabanda is a distinguished academic and Head of Doctoral Programmes at the Graduate School of Business & Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). With over 38 years of experience in higher education and research, he is recognized globally as a leading scholar in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Information Systems. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and supervised over 20 doctoral and 200 master’s dissertations, shaping the next generation of experts in AI and digital innovation.

Beyond academia, Professor Kabanda serves as Vice President of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences and has held key roles including Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Development) at the Zimbabwe Open University. His influence spans globally as Adjunct Professor in AI, Cybersecurity, and Big Data at institutions across India, the USA, and Zimbabwe. A Fellow of the African Scientific Institute (USA) and member of the African Union’s ASRIC, he continues to advance Africa’s digital transformation agenda by combining academic excellence with practical innovation in AI and emerging technologies.

Zamokwakhe Dlamini serves as Deputy Director: Digital Economy Capabilities Research at the Department of Science and Innovation. With a background that spans establishing and managing a technology startup, ICT policy development, and international representation, he has played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s digital innovation landscape. His work has included fostering collaboration programmes with global ICT multinationals, advancing human capital development at post-school level, and driving the establishment of R&D-enabling laboratories in the country.

Currently, Mr. Dlamini oversees planning, funding, and implementation of South Africa’s ICT research, development, and innovation initiatives, with a particular focus on foundational digital capabilities. He leads programmes that support the growth of emerging digital industries, emphasizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) funding strategies that unlock new opportunities for national competitiveness. Through his leadership, the Department continues to drive policy interventions that expand digital innovation, strengthen AI ecosystems, and position South Africa as a hub for inclusive and sustainable digital growth.

Prof Ray Maharaj is the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of the Free State and Academic Head at Universitas Academic Hospital. A leading voice in medical education reform, Prof Maharaj was recently invited by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa to contribute to the development of a continent-wide competency-based curriculum—a transformative initiative aimed at aligning health professions education with the realities of African healthcare systems.
Prof Maharaj is passionate about integrating Artificial Intelligence into the health sector, with a focus on improving clinical outcomes, enhancing medical training, and expanding access to high-quality care. His research and leadership are shaping the future of AI-powered health innovation, particularly in maternal and reproductive health.
A nominee for the prestigious NSTF-South32 Awards—South Africa’s “Science Oscars”—Prof Maharaj brings deep expertise, visionary thinking, and a commitment to empowering the next generation of health professionals. 

With over 15 years at Microsoft and more than two decades of experience in the technology sector, Sandile Mahlaba is a seasoned leader in digital transformation for public sector innovation. He currently leads strategic initiatives that harness cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, Hyper Cloud, and Big Data to enhance government service delivery and citizen engagement.

Sandile serves as a Digital Transformation Coach to senior government executives, helping shape smarter, more transparent public systems. His work bridges the gap between governance and emerging technologies across South Africa.

Throughout his career, Sandile has coached and collaborated with numerous CxOs across government and aligned industries, bringing deep expertise in transformational selling, innovation leadership, disruption design thinking, and emerging market development.

Beyond the boardroom, Sandile is passionate about community development. He is the founder of a non-profit organization focused on Community Digital Transformation, empowering underserved communities with knowledge and tools to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.