Carlos Fernández Alvarez is a Mining Engineer and graduated from Madrid Polytechnic University. He is a specialist in energy and fuels. Carlos joined the International Energy Agency in 2010 as a Senior Energy Analyst. In this capacity, he has contributed to numerous IEA publications and Commentaries, including the World Energy Outlook, World Energy Investment and Global Energy Review. He is directly responsible for the annual Coal report (formerly the Medium-Term Coal Market Report and Market Report Series: Coal publication) and he is the IEA’s main contact with the Coal Industry Advisory Board (CIAB). Since February 2022, he has been the Acting Head of the Gas, Coal and Power Markets Division. Prior to joining the IEA, Carlos already had 20 years of experience in the energy sector, beginning his career as an energy consultant for electricity producer plans. He was mainly involved in system modelling and safety assessments for nuclear power plants but also worked on control-room design, radiological protection, licensing activities, research and development projects and bid assessments. In 2001, after 10 years in the private sector, he joined the Spanish Government as an Energy Advisor and in 2003, was nominated as Deputy Director for Mining in the Directorate of Energy and Mining. In 2007, he became Director of the Spanish Coal Agency, the body responsible for the coal sector and the alternative development of coal mining areas in Spain.

Vuslat Bayoglu is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of mining investment company Menar, which has controlling stakes in Canyon Coal, Zululand Anthracite Colliery, Kangra and East Manganese. He holds an honors degree in Mechanical Engineering and has almost 20 years’ experience in the mining industry. During that period, he has led the group’s subsidiaries from junior to mid-tier status through organic growth and acquisitions. Bayoglu is a hands-on investor with a keen interest in bettering the South African economy. He is actively involved in seeking solutions to key issues faced by South Africa. Bayoglu also serves on the board of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT).

Cosmas holds a Doctorate in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from the University of the Witwatersrand and has more than 15 years' experience in the field of materials fabrication and characterisation.  In his current post as Director: Power, at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Cosmas is responsible for the Hydrogen Infrastructure Centre of Competence, the CoalCO2 to X and Energy Storage Programmes.  His main role is to interact with public and private sectors in South Africa in order to develop and strengthen partnerships that are essential in promoting the uptake of emerging low carbon energy technologies, particularly those that beneficiate mineral resources found in South Africa and neighbouring countries. Cosmas’ current interests are in technology roadmap development, innovation management and technology commercialisation in collaboration with both national and international partners

Brian Dames is currently the Chief Executive of African Rainbow Energy & Power Pty Ltd (“AREP”), and the Former Chief Executive of Eskom Holdings SOC Limited, the national electricity utility in South Africa. AREP is a recently formed entity, established by its Founder and Chairman, Mr. Patrice Motsepe. AREP’s vision is to become a leading energy and power enterprise on the African continent. Brian started his career with Eskom in 1987 as the first black Graduate-in-Training at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant. The complexity and diversity of Eskom’s overall activities provided the opportunity for Brian to gain experience in the operations and management of a large national company. During his tenure at Eskom, Brian has held various positions in power stations and in the Eskom head office, including nuclear physicist at Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, Divisional Information Manager, Engineering Manager and later Power Station Manager at coal-fired power plants, General Manager of the Nuclear Division, Managing Director of the Enterprises Division, Chief Executive Officer of one of Eskom’s subsidiaries, Eskom Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, and Chief Officer of Eskom’s Generation Business. Brian was appointed Chief Executive of Eskom on 1 July 2010 and held this position until March 2014. Brian plays a leading role in international and local business, is a member of the UN Secretary General’s and President of the World Bank’s High Level EXCO on Sustainable Energy For All initiative, as well as Non-Executive Director of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Nedbank Group. Brian is a committed family man. He is married to Stephney and the couple has two children, Christian and Nicole. Brian and Stephney love camping and the outdoors and are both keen golfers. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) [BSc (Hons)] from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa and a Master of Business Administration [MBA] from of Samford University in the USA. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Programme of the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and holds a Graduate Diploma in Utility Management from Samford University in the USA.

Mark has over 18 years’ experience in management consulting, specialising in operations improvement and strategy implementation. Mark leads the energy transition practice in Africa where he is helping clients navigate the energy transition journey, reduce their emissions and secure their ongoing financial and environmental viability. Renewables form a large portion of this work.

Christo Fourie qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1993. He joined the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa in 1994. He previously headed up the IDC’s Workout and Restructuring Department (2001-2004), Corporate & Structured Finance Department (2006-2007), Venture Capital SBU (2008-2015) and New Industries SBU (2015-2020). Christo was appointed as the Head of the newly established Energy SBU in April 2020. This SBU provides funding (debt through to equity) to energy generation and efficiency projects that help to improve the country’s security of energy supply, contribute towards South Africa’s Just Energy Transition and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through its funding, the SBU seeks to facilitate transformation and stimulate increased localisation of renewables components.

Thomas Garner holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Pretoria and an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.  He has 28 years of experience in the mining and energy industries.  In 2012, Tommy was the founding CEO of Cennergi, a 50/50 joint venture between Exxaro Resources and Tata Power, focusing on clean energy.  Cennergi commissioned two large wind farms in the Eastern Cape during 2016.  Tommy is currently Business Development Executive of Earth and Wire, a privately-owned energy company with the vision of supplying affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to private customers and consumers.  He is a registered professional engineer, a Fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the South African Independent Power Producers Association.  He is a regular media commentator on the electricity supply industry.

Chief Executive Officer at the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), Niveshen advocates for a thriving wind energy sector in South Africa with local participation and beneficiation at the heart of its development. Enhancing SAWEA’s focus on policy advocacy and lobbying, Niveshen represents the united voice of the wind energy sector and is working towards policy and regulatory certainty while achieving social, environmental and economic impact on behalf of the SAWEA membership. With twelve years in the green economy environment, Niveshen has a diverse knowledge base and depth of experience, which ranges from carbon management and climate change to flagship energy project implementation as well as formulating and applying energy policy. Furthermore, his most recent position as COO at SAPVIA represents his passion for renewable energy and showcases his tireless dedication to advocating on behalf of members through engagement with government on various levels. Niveshen has successfully championed the development and implementation of a voluntary quality mechanism, the PV GreenCard, a programme based on skills development, standardization and documentation for small-scale embedded generation. He continues to spearhead the development of industry-led programmes to support the just energy transition. Niveshen contributes on a global level having served as a board member on the Global Solar Council and now supports the Global Wind Energy Council. He is actively involved in the African Task Force, sharing learning across the region. He further provides a mentorship role on various platforms to new businesses and entrants into the RE space.

Leon Groenewald has 25 years of experience in coal operations, business development, strategic investments and corporate finance, being involved in joint ventures, large commercial contracts, divestments and unbundling, including the raising of financing.  Leon has further represented Exxaro on several boards, audit committees and joint ventures in SA and internationally. He has been involved in Exxaro’s renewable energy business since 2012.

David Kawesha is the current Head of the Just Transition Office for Sasol.  His role is focused on formulating and implementing a just transition for Sasol as well as determining the most appropriate green financing options to support Sasol’s decarbonisation pathway.  David is a Chemical Engineer by training and has extensive research and development and demonstration experience of over 15 years, specialising in separation technologies and environmental engineering including carbon mitigation.  Between 2010 to 2017, David was Sasol’s lead technical advisor to the Norwegian state-led Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) which conducted the world largest demonstration-scale carbon capture technology trials. In 2019, David joined the sustainability function within Sasol which was formed in the same year.  David has been instrumental in the development of the emission reduction roadmap and target sets for Sasol, culminating in the increased target to 30% by 2030 and setting a net zero ambition by 2050.  David has been integral in the development and editing of Sasol’s 2021Climate Change report and leading the work focused on developing a Just Transition roadmap for Sasol.  Furthermore, David is working together with Sasol’s technical and business development teams to secure green financing for the shortlisted green hydrogen opportunities.      

Lucky Kgatle began his journey in the mining industry after obtaining his BSc in engineering in 2001. He went on to obtain his MBA in 2009. During his career in the industry, now spanning beyond two decades, he has thrived in leadership roles encompassing both operational and strategic elements and responsibilities which, most recently, positioned him as the Senior Vice President of Sasol Mining, a coal mining company with six mines producing approximately 40 million tons of thermal coal per annum, supplied to JSE-listed petrochemicals company Sasol Limited as well as the export market.  Lucky served on the boards of five Sasol-related companies and he has represented Sasol Mining in industry forums such as the Minerals Council of South Africa. Lucky’s commitment to positive and substantive transformation led to his roles in managing large transformational projects involving significant organisational complexity. His experience and leadership abilities also contributed to the successful navigation of Sasol Mining through periods of extreme volatility, uncertainty and extensive changes in the industrial environment including the commitment and transition to the pursuit of zero-harm and the zero-tolerance approach to occupational health and safety, prolonged unprotected labour disputes and most recently, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout his career, Lucky has been driven by a passion for innovation and business improvement and he has succeeded in building strong, sustainable partnerships. Lucky’s journey has now led him to the private sector where his experience, networks and practical know-how have culminated in the incorporation of Tlou Commodities Proprietary Limited (“Tlou”) and a partnership with the mining powerhouse Q Global Commodities Proprietary Limited (“QGC”), aimed at thriving in the local and international coal and other mineral supply chains. With the technical and financial support of QGC and its affiliates, coupled with Lucky’s extensive experience, Tlou is poised to become the true example of a black-owned mining start-up growing into an independent, proudly South African behemoth.

Nikisi Lesufi is a Senior Executive: Environment, Health and Legacies at the Minerals Council South Africa, responsible for the coordination for the Coal Leadership Forum, member of the Presidential Commission on Climate Change and Council member of the South African Colliery Managers Association (SACMA). He studied for a BPharm degree at the then University of the North (now University of Limpopo), his BSc (Hons) from the University of Leicester, and his MSc from the University College London, University of London. He lectured in Medical Microbiology to Pharmacy and Optometry students at the then University of the North.  He served the National Department of Health as Deputy Director: Environmental Health, Food and Chemical Safety. He also served the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in various capacities (Deputy Director: Water Quality, Director: Water Resources Management and Head of the regional office of the then DWAF in the Free State). He is a former non-executive director on the board of the National Nuclear Regulator, a former member of the management committee of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (Mine Water Division), a former member of the Environmental Advisory Board of Limpopo. He is the Premier of Limpopo’s Employment Growth and Development Advisory Council and Patron and Trustee of the Tembisa Child and Family Welfare Society.

Annelise is the Head of the Environmental Portfolio Management Office (PMO) for Sasol Energy.  She is an industrial engineer and a seasoned professional with over 20 years of broad based experience, 16 of those as an engineer in the energy industry and of which the last five years have been focused on environmental sustainability – first by leading the environmental compliance programme for the South African operations and then moving into a portfolio integration role for all environmental sustainability initiatives.  Her role as Head of the PMO enables a complete picture of all environmental sustainability initiatives in Sasol Energy towards ensuring an optimal environmental sustainability roadmap for the business.  She spearheaded the development of the South African operations greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction roadmap, resulting in the pathways that will see Sasol Energy achieve a 30% GHG emission reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.   

Kolobe Nala Investment Company (Pty) Ltd (KNI) is a family-owned business focused on investments in mining, energy and aviation and is headed by Billy Mawasha, who has extensive mining experience with Anglo American, Rio Tinto, De Beers and AngloGold Ashanti to name but a few. Until recently, Billy was the Country Head in South Africa for Rio Tinto and the MD of Richards Bay Minerals. In addition, Billy serves on the Board of Metair Investments Ltd (MTA:SJ – Automotive Components and Battery Manufacturer) and is the Chairman of their Investment Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk and Nomination Committees. Billy is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Billy’s experience, a strong network of relationships in the mining industry and his understanding of doing business across the continent, enables KNI to bring long-term value-adding perspectives, hands-on and pragmatic expertise and solid operational and technical know-how to projects they invest in. This is realised through strategic guidance and active participation in the board of directors and associated committees, in particular the investment, technical and risk committees and through working collaboratively with relevant parties and management teams. 

Matthew Mflathelwa is the General Manager of Strategy and Planning in Eskom Holdings and is responsible for developing Eskom’s long-term strategy, negotiating Eskom’s compact with the shareholder, developing the corporate plan and the associated capital allocation for Eskom’s line businesses. Over the past 12 years, Matthew has held multiple roles within Eskom, ranging from operating and maintenance engineering at coal power stations to providing strategic advisory support to executives, across multiple business areas within the Eskom group. He has worked on a number of nuanced projects including several organisational turnaround initiatives and, most recently, developing the business case for Eskom’s transition towards cleaner energy

TFR Chief Executive, Sizakele Mzimela, joined the Transnet Executive Team in April 2020 and is tasked with overseeing the division that provides rail infrastructure and operates rail services over major corridors to transport commodities for export, regional and domestic markets. Sizakele is a seasoned business executive with 30 years’ global experience across diverse industries in the public and private sectors. Sizakele began her career at Standard bank and later worked for Total SA before moving into aviation. She is the former Group CEO of South African Airways, which at the time was the continent’s largest airline with presence in more than 40 international locations. Her experience in logistics also includes the chairing of a listed logistics company over and above her executive management of other regional and domestic airline carriers. Sizakele’s extensive experience in running complex logistical entities have held her in good stead as she leads the turnaround, growth and development of Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet’s largest operation division. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Economics and Statistics degree from the University of Swaziland, a certificate in Management from Henley College and  is a graduate of the Transnet Executive Development Programme (GIBS). She has completed a number of other programmes at GIBS, the London School of Economics and Cambridge University, to mention a few. Sizakele is the current Vice President of the Southern African Rail Association (SARA).

Ntokozo Ngcwabe started her career as an Environmental Officer at the Department of Minerals and Energy and became a Regional Manager: Mineral Regulation in KwaZulu Natal. She was promoted to the role of Chief Director: Mineral Policy Development and later left the employ of government to pursue other professional interests in the energy sector. She became a Director of Valozone Energy from 2011 – 2018 and re-joined the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in 2018 as a Deputy Director-General. She leads a dynamic team that strives for excellence in the public sector and is currently championing the oil and gas industry work, global relations and investment promotion. She participated in the drafting and publishing of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (MPRDA) and its amendment in 2008. She represented South Africa at the United Nations environmental initiatives and in intergovernmental  initiatives such as the Benguela Current Commission and African diamond producing countries. She was instrumental in the development of the Mining Charter, 2010 and Mining Charter, 2018 and oversaw the establishment of the Mining Growth and Development Task Team with industry social partners. She serves on the board of Mintek and participates in various minerals and energy committees. Ntokozo completed her Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the former Vista University and obtained an Honours Degree in Geography and Environmental Management from Wits University, She then went to study law and obtained her LLB degree from the University of South Africa in 2021. Ntokozo is currently studying towards a Master of Management in the field of Energy Leadership with Wits Business School.

With over 15 years of international business experience in energy and finance, including as CEO and co-founder of Bushveld Energy since 2015, Mikhail also spent seven years with McKinsey & Company in Moscow and Johannesburg, advising national governments, utilities and manufacturers on growth strategies, policy and leading operational turnarounds in the energy sector. Mikhail spent three years as Portfolio Manager at Sovereign Bank, USA (now Santander Bank). He is Chairman of the Board for the South African Energy Storage Association, and Chair of the Energy Storage Committee for Vanitec, which is the global association of vanadium producers. He has a BA (History) and a BA (Economics) from the University of Massachusetts, a diploma in Economics from the London School of Economics and an MBA from INSEAD.

Chanda Nxumalo is an electrical engineer with 15 years of experience in the renewables, power and infrastructure sector, specifically the wind (on and offshore), solar, hydro and energy storage fields. Her areas of expertise include feasibility studies, project management, pre-construction, acquisition and operational technical due diligence as well as turbine supply, O&M, asset management, BOP and civil contract negotiations, construction and operational monitoring. She has worked with project sponsors, investors, lenders and manufacturers on energy projects in 13 countries. She has extensive experience working in a technical, business development and executive capacity in African, American and European markets. She currently serves on the South African PV Association Board. Chanda has a proven track record of success in identifying and successfully converting new business opportunities in both developed and emerging markets as well as with managing teams.

Paul is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He began his career at PwC in 1986 and served as an audit partner for 6 years. Since 2001, he has worked as both CFO and CEO in the listed company environment as well as public sector and in family-owned businesses. He has worked in South Africa across Africa as well as in the Middle East and the USA. From a South African perspective, Paul has served as the CFO of Group Five Limited as well as Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd and was CEO of ArcelorMittal (South Africa) Limited. Paul has diversified industry experience including mining, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, trading, steel manufacturing and financial services. Paul also has experience as a non-executive director for listed companies in South Africa. Paul has in depth experience within corporates in public offerings and debt raising locally and internationally. He has been involved in turnarounds, restructurings, M&A, programme and project management including recently the overall responsibility for the $1bn separation of ABSA Bank Limited from Barclays PLC. Paul also has regulatory experience in Africa in the energy and financial services industries.

Crispian is the Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission, responsible for running the Secretariat of the PCC and its various policy and research programmes. He has served in the South African government in various capacities, including as Director General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (1999 – 2005), in which position he crafted much of the climate policy and environmental legislation, as well as leading South Africa’s hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002). Crispian has a deep interest in local governance issues, starting with his work on community land, housing and development issues in the 1980s, his work as Deputy Director General in the Department of Constitutional Development and subsequently as an author exploring the mechanics by which regimes are governed and the way in which good governance can be eroded. His first book entitled ‘How to Steal a City’ (2017), documented patronage-based systems in Nelson Mandela Bay and how the metro was captured by factional interests. His subsequent book, ‘A House Divided’, published in October 2019, documented the nature of the relationship between the City of Cape Town and landed property interests and how this fuelled a factional split in the DA. Crispian is a medical doctor by training and holds BSc (Med) (1983), Psychology Honours (1984) and MBChB (1988) degrees from UCT. He is completing a PhD at WITS Politics Department and is a research fellow at the Public Affairs Research Institute.

Grant Pattison is currently the Managing Director at Heliogen Africa, a renewable energy technology company based in California, USA, having been appointed in April, 2022. He was formerly the CEO of Edcon Ltd, a position he held from February 2017 to November 2020. Prior to joining Edcon, he managed his own private equity and venture capital business, Gpam (Pty) Limited, by providing global investors with advice on entering the African market based on his general business and retail expertise. In 2015, he was appointed CEO of NRG Renew Africa by NRG Energy Inc., a Fortune 500 integrated power supply company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Their strategic objective was to create a footprint in Southern Africa in the renewable energy space by providing energy solutions to retail customers. He was also involved with JSE-listed company Taste Holdings for 6 years and resigned as Chairman in 2020. Previously, he was with retailer Massmart Holdings Ltd for 17 years, the last 7 of which as CEO, during which time he led the sale of a 53% stake to U.S.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Grant graduated from University of Cape Town in 1992 with a first class BSc Honours degree in Heavy Current Electrical Engineering.

Bernard is the Chairman of the annual Junior Indaba and Joburg Indaba as well as an Executive Director of the SBI. He is a Partner at To-The-Point Growth Specialists as well as a Partner in THINKspiration. He served as Non-Executive Director on the boards of Impala, Zimplats, Eqstra and African Rainbow Minerals Limited. Previous roles include Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Village Main Reef Limited and CEO of Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited. He is Chairman and Managing Partner of MMC (Manganese Metal Company) as well as a non-executive director of African Rainbow Energy Producer (AREP).

From his beginnings in education to his career in Human Resources, Mike has gained extensive experience in people and business management in BHP and Impala, as well as CEO of Optimum Coal Holdings (prior to it being taken over by Glencore). Mike is the Chairperson and controlling shareholder of the Masimong Group and serves as Chair/Non-Executive Director at the Anchor Group, Rofles Holdings and the Richards Bay Coal Terminal. He is also a past president of the Chamber of Mines and serves on the Council of the Chamber. In keeping with his passion to leave a legacy for the next generation, Mike serves on the board of the University of Johannesburg.