Our team
Our Team
Our team combines foresight, research, communication and business experience across the public and private sectors.
Mphathi Nyewe
Foresight Practitioner
Mphathi is a seasoned strategist, researcher and foresight practitioner with more than 25 years of experience as a strategy consultant. He began his career as a brand manager at Unilever, then held marketing positions at Warner Lambert, an American pharmaceutical and confectionery company, and later at South African Breweries.
He holds a Master of Philosophy in Futures Studies from Stellenbosch University, a BCom (Hons) from UNISA and a BCom from the University of Fort Hare, along with management education certificates from the Wharton School (USA) and Howard University (USA).
Mphathi has helped the Industrial Development Corporation plan and run Foreign Direct Investment programmes and serves on its panel for worker and community empowerment facilitation. His clients include Rand Water, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Water Research Commission, Sentech, Coega Development Corporation and the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa, as well as government departments including Agriculture and Forestry, Science and Innovation, Justice, and Human Settlements. He currently advises municipalities and traditional authorities in the Eastern Cape.
He is a member of the World Futures Society and a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists. Mphathi has served the BBC in various capacities and represents the organisation in a number of enterprise development initiatives.
Dr Thembinkosi Semwayo
Co-facilitator
Thembinkosi holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Geography, a Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems and a PhD from Wits University, with research focused on knowledge and innovation engineering. That background lets him work comfortably across interdisciplinary projects and innovation programmes.
A trained foresight and innovation facilitator, he helped facilitate South Africa’s provincial foresight exercises for the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. He has also helped develop 10 scenarios and long-range strategies for the human settlements, biotechnology, bulk water supply and ICT sectors. Thembinkosi is a keen researcher and author.
Jeffery Kleinsmith
Consultant
A trained engineer, Jeffery entered the communication field in 1983 as a publishing editor. As Chief Executive Officer of Sakaza, he leads a team of communication professionals and support staff.
He has more than 20 years of experience in communication and public engagement, and has facilitated and managed some of the most challenging events and programmes in the sector. These include the DWA Vision 2020 roll-out, Rand Water 2030 Scenario Planning, BBBEE launches and conferences, the Batse Le Meetse Competition, Sanitation Week, Water Week and the Youth Conference Programme.
Qualifications: HND Mechanical Engineering; MDP (US); DMA (UCT); Journalism (Jackson, USA); Project Management (UCT).
Dr Pino Mavengere
Consultant
Dr Pino Mavengere is a medical doctor (MBChB) who also holds an entrepreneurial MBA (cum laude) and a Doctorate in Business Administration in performance management research. He works as an individual and organisational performance management coach, business development specialist and technical consultant, with wide experience in programme design, monitoring and evaluation, and project management. He is a Certified Strengths Practitioner (CSP).
His passion is helping people understand and build a life around what they do better than anyone else. Using validated scientific tools and methods, he helps people connect their passion, talents and strengths, and turn those insights into personal success.