Dr Martin Kaggwa is the Executive Research Director at the Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI) since 2013 and plays diverse roles as a Researcher Academic and Development Consultant in the interdisciplinary area of Economics Technology and Science Policy. He has more than 15 years’ experience of Research, Consulting and Executive Management.
Amongst others, his research at SATRI focuses on understanding how the extractive and energy sectors are performing, Just Transition Movement, the 4IR and technology-related matters, Covid-19 and its effects in workplaces, and how all these can contribute to national and local development needs.
He has authored a number of policy-oriented technical reports, scholarly articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, books, book chapters, policy briefs and newspaper opinion pieces.
He holds a PhD in Technology Management, a Masters and Bachelor degree in Economics and has attended a number of specialized trainings on Extractives and Sustainable Development.
Ms Lerato Mathibedi holds a B-Tech in Human Resource Management from Tshwane University of Technology, certificates in Project Management and Public Relations from UNISA, and a Toastmaster’s certificate in Public Speaking. She is a member of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM). She has previously worked as a Research Assistant and Tutor at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), a Secretary to the Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Correctional Services, and a Human Resource Management (HRM) Intern at the Independent Development Trust (IDP). She is the Personal Assistant to the Executive Research Director of SATRI.
Pulane is a Senior Research Specialist at the SATRI since 2015 and holds over 13 years’ experience in project management, strategic planning and facilitation, organizational development and capacity building, budget management, policy development and analysis, advocacy work and constituency building.
She holds a Masters in Social Science (2007), Honours in Social Science (Industrial Organization and Labour Studies & Community Development) (2006), and Bachelor of Social Science- Community Development (2005), all of which are from the University of Kwa Zulu Natal. She also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Economic Development and Policy (2013) from Wits University and a Monitoring and Evaluation from University of Pretoria (UP- 2022).
She is professional registered with the ETDP SETA as a registered Facilitator and Assessor (Outcomes based learning).
Her professional areas of expertise are comprised of the following as stated above:
• Project management – developed and implemented numerous programs encompassing trainings, community intervention, and information resources and campaigns for trade unions and civil organisations.
• Strategic planning and facilitation- well-versed in translating missions and goals into operating plans with clear benchmarks and annual objectives.
• Organizational development and capacity building -designed and provided technical assistance to community-based and non-governmental organizations in the areas of program development, community assessment, and process/outcome evaluation.
• Budget management-extensive background in developing and monitoring program and organizational budgets.
• Policy development and analysis- well-versed in assisting trade unions and civil organisations to develop policy positions.
• Advocacy work and constituency building- extensive experience in articulating public issues as they relate to economic and social development.
Mr Zolisa Bavuyise Mpange is a Research Associate at Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI), responsible for undertaking empirical and desktop research based on but not limited to areas of labour, socio-economic, political and technology. Before joining SATRI, he was a Research Trainee at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, responsible for undertaking empirical and desktop research projects based on areas of transformation of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. He holds a Master’s Degree in Development Studies and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry and Microbiology from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Sinenhlanhla Sithole is a Research Associate at Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI) where she undertakes rigorous research pertaining to workers’ interests and their communities within the sectors of mining, energy, metals and construction sectors. Her main area of focus is on Climate and Energy Justice issues with the aim of advancing a Just Energy Transition for Workers. Other areas of research include Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as well as 4IR and trade unionism in general. She also represents organized labour at NEDLAC to advance workers interests. She is a Masters’ Degree holder in the field of Political Science, an honours degree in International Relations (cum laude) as well as an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Development Studies all from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN).
Dineo Thaele is a Research Associate at Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI). Her area of work includes leading and coordinating research projects, monitoring and evaluation, and research writing. Her research focus at SATRI is on occupational health and safety, gender equity and empowerment in the workplace and assessing socio-economic development of former mining communities. Before joining SATRI, she was a Demographer at a syndicate of Wits Health Consortium under the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit (WITS VIDA). The projects she conducted mainly encompassed health research focused on assessing the burden of diseases in communities, reducing child mortality and improving child health. She holds a Master’s Degree in Demography and Population Studies, Honours Degree in Demography and Population Studies, a Post-Graduate Diploma Monitoring and Evaluation and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Sociology, all obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Mpho Nchabeleng is currently a Research Assistant at Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI). Her role includes data collection, data capturing, data analysis, as well as providing support to senior researchers. Before joining SATRI in June 2017, she worked as a trainee for a year at the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Her career aspirations are mainly on community development and transformation. She holds a Bcom. Hons in Development Studies from the University of Limpopo. She aspires to continue with her studies by pursuing a Master’s Degree in Development Studies.
