Our Team

Our diverse team is driven by a shared vision and passion to unlock the transformative potential of African sciences and create a future where thriving African societies lead the way.

Prof Wanda Markotter

Interim Director and Research Chair: People, Health, and Place (One Health)

Dr Neeraj Mistry

Deputy Director

Prof Maano Ramutsindela

Research Chair: Sustainability Transformations

Prof Frans Swanepoel

Research Chair: Sustainable Food Systems

Dr Farai Kapfudzaruwa

Research and Strategic Partnerships Manager

Ms Amelia Cilliers

Project Manager

Lerato Mpetshwa

Communications Manager

Mrs Lakshana Arnachellan

Conference and Events Coordinator

Dr Clarietta Chagwiza

Senior Post Doctoral Fellow

Mr Mfezeko Damane

Finance Officer

Dr Hester du Plessis

Senior Faculty Fellow

Ms Angel Ekata

Conference and Events Coordinator

Dr Colleta Gandidzanwa

Project and Research Manager: Sustainable Food Systems Chair

Ms Sharon Mpho Khalo

ASLP Project Coordinator

Ms Dikeledi Margaret Lebea

Housekeeping Supervisor

Mr Thami Mlambo

Receptionist

Ms Itumeleng Mokwana

Receptionist (Intern)

Ms Rebecca Mothoa

Front Of House Receptionist

Dr Tinashe Ndoro

Head of Residence

Mary-anne Phasha

Mr Thabo Shongwe

Finance (Intern)

Irene Nyakagere Thomas

Post-doctoral fellow: Global Equity in Africa

Ms Esley Van Der Berg

Dr Tedson Nkoana

Community Engagement Officer for People, Health, and Place (One Health)

Dr Sussy Munialo

Post-doctoral fellow: Sustainable Food Systems

Mr Johan Smith

Conference and Events Manager

Mr Tshepo Mabitsi

Conference and Events Coordinator

Ms Irene Malaila

Facilities Coordinator

Ms Rahab Ohanson

Accommodation Coordinator

Mr Thabo Mathebula

AV and Desktop Support Technician

Mr Mukhetwa Samphinyana

Head of Security Services

Ms Goodness Moremi

Coordinator/Housekeeping Supervisor

Ms Christie Bokaba

Front Desk Receptionist

Future Africa provides a gateway to Africa’s rich and diverse scientific community, building equitable global partnerships, and projecting the voice of African sciences on the global stage.

Future Africa is committed to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship, developing leadership skills, and transforming the African continent by bringing together a diverse group of scholars to address its grand challenges.

Future Africa functions as a platform within the University of Pretoria. The University’s Executive evaluates Future Africa’s overall performance based on the Future Africa Director’s reporting against annual Institutional Action and Financial Plans.

Our diverse team is driven by a shared vision and passion to unlock the transformative potential of African sciences and create a future where thriving African societies lead the way.

At Future Africa, we’re proud to work with a diverse range of collaborators who share our commitment to excellence and innovation. Our partners come from a variety of sectors, but they all share a passion for harnessing the potential of African science to improve the world around us.

As a collaborative platform, Future Africa’s mode of operating is guided by principles of common purpose and shared value. Future Africa has a wide network of collaborators from the University of Pretoria, other universities in South Africa and the continent, as well as the global academy.

Future Africa is a platform that acts as an incubator for transdisciplinary research projects; as a connector for scholars and teams working on similar problems; and as a physical and intellectual space for catalysing needed change in African and global science systems.