Day 1|11 November 2025
Building Resilient Leadership For A Sustainable & Inclusive South Africa
08:00 - 09:00 REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS
09:00 – 09:05 MODERATOR’S WELCOME | Elma Akob, Founder, Elevate Africa Academy
09:05 - 09:10 ORGANISERS INTRO| Emlyn Dunn, Project Manager, Topco Media
09:10 - 09:30 KEYNOTE ADDRESS |The South Africa We Want to Live In
What does a just, prosperous and sustainable South Africa look like and what will it take to get there? This keynote explores the collective vision of a nation built on integrity, inclusion and opportunity. It will challenge leaders in both the public and private sectors to move beyond rhetoric and focus on tangible action that drives economic growth, social cohesion and accountable governance.
Speaker: Dr Mathews Phosa, Celebrated SA Leader, Prominent Business Man and Attorney
09:30 - 09:50 MINISTERS ADDRESS | Modernising the State: Building a Digital, Ethical and Citizen-Centred Public Service
Mordenising South Africa’s public service is about more than digitising processes but about transforming how government serves its people South Africa is taking bold steps to streamline e-services, strengthen accountability and improve access to essential services for all citizens This address will also explore how ethics and anti-corruption programmes can restore public trust and ensure that innovation is matched with integrity
Speaker: Hon Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of Public Service & Administration
Building the Future: Growth, Infrastructure & Global Integration
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09:50 - 10:30 PANEL DISCUSSION |The Future of State-Owned Enterprises: Governance, Accountability and Partnership Models
State-owned enterprises (SOEs) remain at the heart of South Africa’s economy Yet many have become synonymous with inefficiency, corruption and financial strain, draining public resources instead of driving development This session will tackle the hard questions: What is the future role of SOEs in a modern economy? How can governance and accountability be restored? And what role should the private sector play in bringing expertise, innovation and financial discipline into the reform process?
Panelists:
● Zukiswa Mqolomba, Deputy Chairperson and National Commissioner, Public Service Commission of South Africa
● Wayne Duvenage, CEO, OUTA - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
● Chrissy Dube, Chief Stakeholders, Projects & Advocacy Officer, Good Governance Africa
10:30 - 10:45 Hosted by NHFC POWER TALK|Unlocking Capital and Catalysing Growth in Affordable Housing
South Africa's affordable housing backlog represents one of our nation's most pressing challenges and its most significant investment opportunity This session will move beyond identifying the problem to presenting a clear, actionable strategy for mobilising finance at scale Discover how the NHFC is designing innovative financial instruments and de-risking projects to attract private capital, transforming the affordable housing sector from a social obligation into a viable, bankable asset class.
Speaker: Azola Mayekiso, CEO, National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC)
10:45 - 11:05 Fast-Track Networking
11:05 - 11:35 RISE & GRIND | Coffee Break
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11:35 - 11:55
Hosted by Broll Property Group POWER TALK|Partnerships that Work for Private Players
How private-sector capability unlocks public-sector innovation, value and national outcomes A real perspective on participation principles from a Pan-African smart operator; illuminating what buildings, precincts, and state infrastructure can look like when a partnership works
Speaker: Mantsi Moiloa, Group Head: Public Sector, Broll Property Group
11:55 - 12:25 PANEL DISCUSSION |Collaboration over Competition: Building a Unified Healthcare System
South Africa’s healthcare system faces the dual challenge of expanding access while ensuring quality and efficiency The public sector alone cannot carry this burden, yet questions remain about how best to integrate private providers, insurers and innovators into the national system without creating duplication or conflict. This panel will explore the role of public–private partnerships in strengthening healthcare delivery, from hospital management and supply chains to digital health solutions and insurance models.
Panelists:
● Neo Khauoe, CEO, POLMED
● Dr. Lungi Nyathi, CEO, Alignd
● Charlton Murove, Head Of Research, Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF)
12:25 - 13:20
Building Safer, More Resilient Communities
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13:20 - 13:40 POWER TALK | Skills and Competencies to Professionalise the Public Service
In a world defined by rapid change, rising citizen expectations, and technological disruption, South Africa’s public service stands before a new imperative: professionalisation. The question is no longer just about filling posts, it's about shaping public servants equipped with the skills, ethics, and agility to serve with excellence and integrity.
Professionalising the public service is not simply a reform project; it is a national mission to build a capable and developmental state. It demands leaders who can think systemically, act ethically, and adapt strategically leaders who view governance not as administration, but as the art of serving citizens with competence, compassion, and creativity
This conversation invites a bold reimagining of what it means to be a professional public servant in 21st-century South Africa; one who is accountable, future-ready, and driven by impact.
Speaker: Bontle Lerumo, CEO, PSETA
13:40 - 14:00 FIRESIDE CHAT|Financing and De-risking the Future of Food
Securing Africa’s food future requires more than innovation on the farm, it demands innovation in finance, partnerships and communication. This session will explore how public–private collaboration, blended finance and strategic communication can unlock investment and de-risk agriculture for smallholder farmers and agri-SMEs
Panelists:
● Leanne Kiezer, Head of Public Affairs (South Africa) & Head of Nutrition and Regulatory Affairs (Sub-Saharan Africa), Danone Southern Africa
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14:00 - 14:40 PANEL DISCUSSION |Smart Rules for Smart Tech: Balancing Disruption and Consumer Trust
Innovation is reshaping industries at a rapid pace, from digital banking and e-hailing to digital health solutions and AI-driven platforms. But when innovation outpaces regulation, risks emerge where consumers can be left vulnerable, markets destabilised and trust eroded. This session will examine how South Africa can strike the right balance between encouraging innovation and safeguarding citizens.
Panelists:
● Julius Segole, Chief Technology Officer, Boxfusion
● Amb. Lavina Ramkisoon, Ambassador & Co-Chair for Science, Technology, Research and Innovation Council, African Union
● Sam Mokoena, CEO, Hosi Technologies
14:40 - 14:50 Moderators Closing Remarks & Refreshments
*=Invitedspeaker/notconfirmedorcommittedasyet NB:Notethatthis Programmeissubjecttochangewithoutnotice
Day 2|12 November 2025
Building Resilient Leadership For A Sustainable & Inclusive South Africa
08:00 - 09:00 REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS
09:00 – 09:05 MODERATOR’S WELCOME |Elma Akob, Founder, Elevate Africa Academy
09:05 - 09:25 KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Building a Capable, Ethical and Developmental State: The Road to Professionalisation
This keynote unpacks the professionalisation of the public service as a cornerstone reform for rebuilding integrity and performance within the state It will explore how merit-based recruitment, compulsory integrity assessments, continuous professional development through the National School of Government (NSG) and stronger partnerships with universities and professional bodies can transform the public sector into a truly citizen-centered institution
Speaker: Prof. Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson, Public Service Commission of South Africa
Investing in People and the Systems that Serve Them
09:25 - 10:10 PANEL DISCUSSION |The Just Energy Transition: Ensuring Climate Action Doesn't Leave People Behind
A vital discussion on the intersection of climate justice and social justice. How do we ensure that the shift to a green economy creates jobs in coal-dependent communities, involves marginalised groups in planning and ensures that the benefits of renewable energy are accessible to all, not just the wealthy?
Panelists:
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● Simphiwe Ngwenya, Programme Manager - Mitigation, South African Presidential Climate Commission
● Mitesh Bhawan, Energy and Sustainability Specialist, Broll Energy, Water and Sustainability
● Edmond Shoko-Lekhuleni, Technical Advisor, AFROSAI-E
10:10 - 10:50 Hosted by PSiRA
PANEL DISCUSSION |Building Safer Communities Through Partnership: Rethinking Public Safety in South Africa
Effective public safety requires more than policing, it demands collaboration between law enforcement, private security, communities, and technology partners This discussion explores how shared responsibility and trust-building can improve safety outcomes, restore confidence, and create sustainable security ecosystems
Panelists:
● Manabela Chauke, CEO, PSiRA
● Thulani Sibuyi, Secretary for Police Service, The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service
● Talent Zwane, Deputy Director: Law Enforcement, PSiRA
● Thokozani Masilela, Chairperson, Gauteng Community Policing Forum*
10:50 - 11:10 POWER TALK | After 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa: Defining the Public Servant of the Future
Thirty years into democracy, South Africa’s public service stands at a crossroads; shaped by both progress and persistent challenges. As citizens demand greater accountability, transparency and innovation, the question becomes: what does it mean to be a public servant in the next era of governance? This session reimagines the role of the public servant of the future; one who is ethical, digitally empowered, citizen-focused and driven by impact rather than compliance. It’s a call to redefine public service not just as administration, but as active nation-building.
Speaker: Phelokazi Ntanjana, Deputy Director-General, Gauteng Provincial Government
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11:10 - 11:30 Fast-Track Networking
11:30- 12:00 RISE & GRIND | Coffee Break
12:00 - 12:40 PANEL DISCUSSION |The Employment Equation: Aligning Public Investment with Job Creation
Public investment is a powerful tool available to governments to stimulate economic activity However, the link between spending and sustainable job creation is weak or poorly understood. This session moves beyond theoretical models to tackle the practical design, implementation and measurement of public investments that directly and intentionally generate employment. We will explore how to embed "employment multipliers" into infrastructure projects, how targeted procurement can support SMME growth and how skills development can be aligned with public sector investments The discussion will also cover how to move beyond temporary construction jobs to foster long-term employment in operations, maintenance and adjacent sectors
Panelists:
● Ravi Naidoo, CEO, Yes4Youth
● Dr Rajas Pillay, CEO, HR & Transformation Executive, HRSENSE
● Dr Marion De Wet, Head of Sustainability, South African National Petroleum Company
12:40 - 13:40
13:40
14:00
When disaster strikes, speed and coordination save lives, yet fragmented systems and siloed responses remain a persistent challenge in South Africa This session will unpack how to build integrated systems that bring all actors together before, during and after crises. Focusing on practical ways to streamline efforts and ensure resources reach those in need faster
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Speaker:
● Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder, Gift of the Givers
14:00 - 14:40 PANEL DISCUSSION | Building an Inclusive Financial System for Shared Prosperity
Financial inclusion is more than access to banking; it’s the foundation for economic participation, entrepreneurship, and resilience This session explores how the public sector, financial institutions, and technology innovators can collaborate to expand access to affordable financial services for underserved communities, empower SMMEs, and close the finance gap.
Panelists:
● Mpho Makwane, Chairperson, Epitome Investments
14:40 - 14:50 Moderators Closing Remarks & Refreshments
*=Invitedspeaker/notconfirmedorcommittedasyet
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