SONA Debate Remarks by National Human Settlements Minister

Pulane Thobejane

Pulane Thobejane, a social worker by profession, is committed to addressing the imbalances of the past, by providing decent/affordable housing and renting options that are sustainable for vulnerable communities. She boasts 20 years of experience in the public sector, including 17 years in the Gauteng Department of Social Development.

Pulane Thobejane holds an honours degree in Social Work, a postgraduate certificate in labour relation and Human Resource management and has served on various Boards. She is currently the Chair at the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA).

Busisiwe Nzo

Busisiwe Nzo is a practicing professional quantity surveyor (PrQs) registered with the South African Council of Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP). She is currently a partner (managing and active) at a private practice with offices in various regions of the country.

Her experience in the professional building industry spans more than 20 years. She also has vast experience in the human settlements space having been involved at different capacities for more than 15 years. This is where her knowledge and understanding of the human settlements development space originates.

Busisiwe has served as a council member of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC). She has also served in other boards of other state entities e.g. Gauteng Partnership Fund (an implementing agent of the Gauteng Human Settlements, responsible for other programmes such as strategic urban renewal projects and those designed to promote participation of previously disadvantaged owned companies in the affordable rental market). She is currently a council member at the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA).

Busisiwe is committed to helping create an impact and implement changes within the social housing development space to better the livelihoods of South African communities.

Lorato Sithole

Lorato Sithole is an experienced Chartered Accountant bringing a solid background in finance with a track record spanning various sectors, including financial services and environmental services. Holding degrees from the Universities of Cape Town and South Africa SBL.

With 9 years of service, she has demonstrated her financial expertise in the environmental services industry as CFO at SANBI, prior to SANBI, Lorato served as CFO for 2 years and 8 months at Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, contributing to financial leadership and management. Accumulated 5 years and 3 months of experience as a Financial Manager at FNB South Africa, showcasing proficiency in the financial services sector. Gained foundational experience in accounting during a 3-year tenure with PwC. Worked for 1 year as a Compliance Auditor, gaining insights into regulatory compliance at the South African Revenue Services.

Lorato’s educational background includes a Master’s in Business Leadership at the University of South Africa SBL from 2012 to 2014. SAICA (Chartered Accountant) completed in 2002. University of South Africa (Diploma of Accountancy) from 1999 to 2000. University of Cape Town (Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting) in 1997.

Offering her blend of extensive experience in finance, strong educational qualifications, and a background in environmental services, making them a valuable asset for roles in financial leadership and management.

Jacob Khawe

Jacob Khawe possesses over 25 years of experience, he has been engaged as a volunteer and consultant for numerous non-governmental organizations, including those operating within foreign political entities like Namibia and Mozambique.

During his tenure as a public servant, Khawe held significant roles such as Director for Heritage, Arts, and Culture at Sedibeng District Municipality, Student Officer at Eduserve College, and Director in the Office of the Speaker at Emfuleni Municipality. In his political capacity, Jacob Khawe served for a span of 9 years as a member of the Gauteng legislature. He assumed diverse roles, notably as Chairperson of the Community Safety Portfolio Committee, Chairperson of the Petitions Committee, and Chairperson of the Roads and Transport Committee. This engagement equipped him with substantial knowledge in oversight, legislative processes, public engagement, and effective governance.

His journey led him to his election as the Executive Mayor of Emfuleni Municipality. In this role, he took on the pivotal task of reviving the municipality from financial turmoil and fostering political stability. Furthermore, Khawe took on the mantle of Provincial Secretary for the ruling party in Gauteng, where he took charge of political management, strategic development, and organizational growth.

Presently, he serves as the Chairperson of Matlalehana Foundation, situated in the Vaal region, with a specific focus on Agricultural Development, Transport Logistics, and Elderly Support Programs. Khawe’s academic pursuits include studies in Transitional Justice through the University of Johannesburg, Executive Leadership centered on the African Economy at the Thabo Mbeki Institute of Leadership in UNISA, and an ongoing endeavor to complete studies in Project Management with UCT.

Queendy Gungubele

Queendy Gungubele is a seasoned professional with a multi-layered career that encompasses board leadership, human resources management, and legal expertise. With a strong commitment to ethics and governance. Her extensive experience as a Board Member, CCMA Commissioner, and owner of RMQ Investments cc reflects her passion for resolving complex workplace issues and fostering inclusive, productive environments.

In her current capacity as a council member of the SHRA, Queendy has served with distinction in a range of other organizations, including Kumaka, O R Tambo Memorial Hospital, Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GGDA), and Eskom Enterprise. Her commitment to these roles has been fortified by her certification in Board Development Program Training from the prestigious Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

Queendy Gungubele’s academic background includes a B. luris from the University of North, Pietersburg, SA, an Advanced Diploma in Labor Law from Rand Afrikaans Universiteit, and a Certificate in Management in Minerals and Mining Policy (Short Course) from the University of Witwatersrand. Furthermore, she earned her LLM in Labor Law (master’s degree) from Rand Afrikaans Universiteit between 2003 and 2005.

Her skillset encompasses a diverse range of competencies, including skills development facilitation, Black Economic Empowerment imperatives, performance management, negotiations, litigation, and stress management.

Mandla Radebe

Mandla J. Radebe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Strategic Communication and the Director of the Centre for Data and Digital Communications at the University of Johannesburg. He is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in industries such as Accounting & Auditing, Financial Services, Information and Communication Technology, Higher Education, Retail and Public Sector. Mandla serves in several boards.

Sandile Luthuli

Sandile Luthuli holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with Honours, a Masters Degree in Business Administration, a Higher Diploma in Company Law, and a Masters of Philosophy in Development Finance. He has occupied senior roles in organisations such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), CIDA Empowerment Fund, Alexander Forbes Financial Services as well as Khula Enterprise Finance, amongst others. The combination of strategy, development finance and economics experience that he brings to the role is a valuable contribution to realising the vision of the SHRA.

Confidence Tshilande

A civil engineer by profession, Confidence Tshilande is committed to fostering a more transformed, inclusive and sustainable housing sector by employing her technical expertise and leadership skills to ensure that quality and affordable housing is delivered efficiently.

Confidence Tshilande currently serves on various Boards.

Kevin Kiewitz

An attorney by profession with significant experience in his career; he aims to provide the executive and management of SHRA with oversight support by sharing and tapping into his extensive insights and knowledge of providing housing solutions for the poor and marginalised. He believes that this will be expedited by ensuring that SHRA partners with the private sector and industry partners and develops integrated housing solutions and developments which is close to required amenities and enables employment opportunities.

Ashley Latchu

Ashley Latchu is an IT specialist currently completing his doctorate focused on research within the public sector, and has served on several boards and board subcommittees. He is committed to enabling the SHRA to be able to use 4IR technologies and good corporate governance to augment and enable its mandate.

Ayanda Olifant

Ayanda Olifant’s career has been characterised by two roles – an economist and a strategist. She has a breadth of experience across industries, including banking; FMCG and telecommunications, and holds a Masters in Economics, Masters in Business Administration. Ayanda is committed to assisting the SHRA to play an integral role in addressing the income and spatial inequalities in South Africa.

Mashukudu James Maboa

Mashukudu James Maboa is a Chartered Accountant with corporate finance and governance experience. He has played an instrumental role in various boards over the past decade.

James is committed to supporting the SHRA to become a vehicle to provide affordable and quality social housing for qualifying South Africans.

Lahlane Malema

An attorney by profession with significant experience in her career and years of board experience at large, reputable institutions, Lahlane Malema remains committed to developing, growing, promoting, protecting and sustaining social housing.

Sanele Masiza

Sanele Masiza is a former Mvula Trust board member. She has held various leadership positions in financial institutions. She brings more than 15 years experience in risk management, spanning over various domains such as operational risk, credit risk, compliance and enterprise risk management. Ten years was spent in senior management roles in financial institutions and regulatory entities. With this expertise, the SHRA can effectively evaluate risks that can occur within the sector.

She holds an MSc Financial Economics (University of Leicester, UK), Institute of Risk Managers South Africa- Certified Risk Professional, Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Professional Risk Manager’s Certification (PRMIA), BCom Honours Statistics (University of Pretoria.

Zimbini Hill

A gifted entrepreneur with a finance and investor relations background, Zimbini Hill joined the SHRA as an interim Council member in 2018, and Chaired the Project Development and Funding Committee.

Zimbini Hill currently serves as a board member on various private, public sector and social enterprises; and is convinced that with the public sector operating as it was designed to, it will play a vital role in ensuring a better South Africa for all. Zimbini Hill hopes to wholeheartedly serve the SHRA to successfully meet its mandate.

Yvonne Mbane

Ms. Mbane has a wealth of experience in governance and administration. She has 30 years’ experience in the public sector of which 15 years is at a senior management level. She is the former CEO of the Health and Welfare SETA as well as an Interim CEO of the IDT. She has led various governance structures in various sectors.

As a senior official, she has served in the human settlements sector for 7 years and was instrumental in the formation of some of the entities of the department. Her experience as a specialist in the organisational developmental space, and being an international coach, will come handy an enable the SHRA to benefit from her knowledge and experience.

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