Meet Our People
Julie is a Director of the Mandela Mining Precinct, representing the DSI in the Public-Private Partnership.
Expertise
Environmental Scientist, risk management, communication, ethics, governance, project management, leadership, and personal development.
jcourtnage@csir.co.za
Description
Julie is a seasoned environmental scientist, her journey in the minerals sector commenced in the late 1980s during her tenure as a geology student. Her hands-on operational experience, coupled with her advocacy work with the former Chamber of Mines of South Africa, has uniquely equipped her to lead the MMP toward new horizons. Notably, Julie’s most recent corporate role was as the Sustainable Development Operations Manager for Anglo American plc.
In 2018, Julie served as the MMP Successful Application of Technologies Centred Around People Programme Manager and was also more recently involved in the establishment of the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development and Innovation Research Centres at the Universities of Witwatersrand and Johannesburg.
In addition to engaging at regional and international levels within policy structures such as the Southern Africa Development Community and the United Nations, Julie has also served as an independent consultant, qualified coach, adult learning facilitator, and researcher for the past 16 years.
Johan is the Strategic Projects Lead at the Mandela Mining Precinct.
Expertise
Management, Strategic initiatives, Key account management
jlroux@csir.co.za
Description
Johan has established and contributed to many key South African industry support initiatives and advisory bodies, including the Automotive Industry Development Centre, the National Manufacturing Advisory Centre of South Africa, the National Cleaner Production Centre and the Small Enterprise Development Agency. He also represented the CSIR in the management and advisory structures of the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, the National Foundry Technology Network and the Technology Localisation Implementation Unit.
Academic qualifications
- Agricultural Sciences, University of Stellenbosch
- Management and Leadership development programmes, University of Cape Town Business School, Groman South Africa, and the Institute for Management Development in Switzerland
Dick is the Mandela Mining Precinct’s Strategic Technical Advisor, representing industry in the Public-Private Partnership.
Email
Expertise
Advocacy on policy, public and private sector liaison, key account management
dkruger@mandelaminingprecinct.org.za
Description
Dick holds a B. Eng (Mining Engineering) from the University of Pretoria. He has over 50 years’ experience within the mining industry where he held several positions aimed at, amongst others, strengthening mining R&D; streamlining electricity and water supply to the mining industry; and mentoring emerging miners.
Academic qualifications
B. Eng (Mining Engineering), University of Pretoria
Martin’s interests are in modernised mining systems, to optimise current mining practices in creating new innovation and supporting systems to enhance novel mining methods.
Email
Expertise
Mining engineering, business optimisation, strategic planning
mpretorius@mandelaminingprecinct.org.za
Description
As the programme manager responsible for the Longevity of Current Mines research programme, Martin is interested in modernised mining systems.
Academic qualifications
As the programme Manager for the Advanced Orebody Programme in the South African Mining, Extraction Research, Development and Innovation strategy, at the Mandela Mining Precinct, Michelle is interested in developing technologies to create the ultimate glass rock environment.
Email
Expertise
Geology, rock engineering, geochemistry
mpienaar@mandelaminingprecinct.org.za
Description
Michelle holds a BSc. Honours in Geology from the University of Johannesburg. She has over 17 years’ experience within the mining industry where she started her career as a mine geologist but later progressed to a Geoscience Manager on numerous deep level gold operations.
Academic qualifications
- BSc Hon (Geology), University of Johannesburg
As the Programme Manager for Real-Time Information Management Systems in the South African Mining, Extraction Research, Development and Innovation strategy, at the Mandela Mining Precinct, is responsible for research, development, and innovation for the Industrial Internet of Things and Smart Connected Systems, for the Mining Industry
Email
Expertise
ICT, Digitalisation, Business Sustainability, Project Management
jverhaeghe@mandelaminingprecinct.org.za
Description
As the Programme Manager for Real-Time Information Management Systems, JJ is responsible for research, development, and innovation for the Industrial Internet of Things and Smart Connected Systems, for the Mining Industry
Academic qualifications
As the Program Manager for the industry Test Mine, Jurgens is interested in the modernisation of the South African mining industry with a core focus on setting up an industry Test Mine which will ultimately prolong the life of the South African mining industry.
Email
Expertise
Mine operations, mineral resource management
jvisser@mandelaminingprecinct.org.za
Description
Jurgens holds a Master’s degree in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand. He has over 40 years of experience in the Mining Industry and is a specialist in the field of Mineral Resource Management. He is enjoying the challenges of the full Mining Value Chain and looking for innovative ways to address these challenges, improve operational efficiencies and the bottom line. Jurgens’ Mineral Resource Management experience covers both underground and surface mining, and he has had exposure to Gold, Platinum and Uranium. He uses this experience and understanding of the Mining Value Chain to drive value realisation and transformation in the mining space.
Academic qualifications
- MSc: Mining Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, 2006
- BSc: Mineral Resource Management, University of the Witwatersrand, 1991
- Mine Surveyors Certificate of Competency
- 6 Sigma Black Belt
As the Programme Manager: Successful Applications of Technology Centred Around People (SATCAP), Sherin is responsible for leading research on understanding the effects and impacts of mining modernisation on people.
Email
Expertise
Learning and Development
sramparsad@mandelaminingprecinct.org.za
Description
Sherin holds a Doctorate Degree in Education Management, with various other professional qualifications in her field, and is a registered Master Learning and Development specialist.
She is passionate about sustaining the mining sector through growing and developing leaders in mining, and in her own time, is a GIBS Associate – an MBA supervisor, coach and examiner for the Gordan Institute of Business Science, and is a visiting Adjunct Professor for the Wits Mining Institute, at the University of Witwatersrand.
Academic qualifications
As the Project and Contracts Manager at the Mandela Mining Precinct, Thato is responsible for developing project management processes, managing contracts, project co-ordination, tracking budgets and managing expenditure whilst ensuring compliance to the Public Finance Management Act.
Email
Expertise
Project Management
tradebe@csir.co.za
Description
Thato holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification among other qualifications. She has over 15 years of working experience in the Mining and Minerals sector. Her interests lie in Project Management and Business Process Improvement. Previously, she worked as a Metallurgical Technician managing minerals processing projects at a South African state owned metallurgical research and development organisation.
Academic qualifications
- Project Management Professional (PMP), Project management Institute (PMI), 2015
- BCom: Financial Management, University of South Africa (UNISA),2013
- NDip (Chemical Engineering), University of Johannesburg, 2005
Letlhogonolo has more than 20 years experience in office management and providing administrative support to Policy and Research management. She has worked with different professionals in the Research, Development and Innovation space while managing and promoting stakeholder relations and has broad knowledge in Finance, Legal and Procurement policies that govern institutions.
Email
Her role includes but is not limited to diary management, event planning and coordination, organising local and international travel for staff, procurement and a secretarial role for the SAMERDI Steering Committee.
Expertise
Public policy, administration
ldibe@csir.co.za
Academic qualifications
Letlhogonolo holds a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Psychology and certificates in Project Management, Corporate Governance, Policy Development and Administration.
As the Projects Administrator, Tshepo works closely with the Programme Managers to ensure all project deliverables including administrative requirements are met.
Expertise
Project Management, Administration, Research
tchabalala@csir.co.za
Description
Tshepo holds a Master of Urban Studies, Urban Politics and Governance degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is a registered Candidate Planner with SACPLAN. Tshepo is passionate about research, development and innovation. His interests are people in mining, mining technologies, governance, project management, public policy analysis, spatial planning, and policy formulation.
Academic qualifications
- Master of Urban Studies Urban Politics and Governance, Wits University (2020)
- BSc (Hons) Urban and Regional Planning, Wits University (2018)
- BSc Urban and Regional Planning, Wits University (2017)
As the Communications Manager, Ntombenkosi is responsible for overseeing all Mandela Mining Precinct internal and external Communications as well as promoting the organisation’s vision, mission, strategy and values.
Email
Expertise
Marketing and Communications
Description
Ntombenkosi has over ten years’ experience in strategic communications and specialises in science communication.
