Dr Anwar Vahed

Director: DIRISA

Dr Anwar Vahed is the Director for the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA). In his role, he oversees the establishment of the national research data infrastructure, coordinates the development of relevant expertise and the implementation of research data strategies. He is a computer scientist with background and interests in Artificial Intelligence and the data sciences. He has developed the National Strategic Framework for Big Data and led research in Big Data analytics for earth observation at the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Sthembiso Mkhwanazi

Senior Project Manager

Sthembiso Nhlakanipho Mkhwanazi a Senior Project Manager for DIRISA.

He is responsible for planning and overseeing the implementation of a project portfolio in fulfillment of DIRISA’s contractual commitments, including monitoring, evaluation and reporting in the execution of projects and delivery of outputs for the DIRISA team. Sthembiso holds a Masters Degree in Project and Programme Management from Cranefield College in Pretoria.

May Maile

Senior Software Developer

May Maile is a Senior Software Developer for DIRISA.

Claude Fortune

Systems Administrator

Claude Fortune is a Systems Administrator at DIRISA

Xolani Nkosi

Project Co-ordinator

Xolani Nkosi is the Project Coordinator for DIRISA. He holds a Masters degree in Development Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesbug. He has interest in Research, Strategic & Policy Development. Before joining DIRISA, he worked for Meraka Institute’s Strategic Research Innovation Management Unit, CSIR.

Ntswiki Rampyapedi

Senior System Administrator

Ntswiki Rampyapedi joined the CSIR on 1 October 2020 as a Senior System Administrator for DIRISA. He holds a Master of Computing from the Tshwane University of Technology. He has experience in the OpenStack environment, an open-source platform, Strategic planning, and execution. His interests include Data Science and Big Data ecosystems.

Dr Nobubele Angel Shozi

Data Stewardship Manager

Dr Nobubele Angel Shozi is a Data Stewardship Manager for DIRISA.
Prior to joining DIRISA, she worked for the CSIR’s Defense Peace Safety Security unit of the the CSIR. She holds a Masters Degree in Information Technology from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth and a doctorate with the University of South Africa.

In 2016, Nobubele was selected as Techwomen Emerging Leader and chosen to work at Twitter in San Francisco recently. She is passionate about community-driven initiatives, enjoys traveling and tasting culinary treats from from different parts of the world. She considers herself somewhat of an “amateur chef”

Millicent Bambo

Group Assistant

Millicent Bambo is a Group Assistant for DIRISA.

Hlawulani Sibisi

Senior Software Developer

Hlawulani Sibisi is a Senior Software Developer for DIRISA.

Kgwadi Matenche

Senior Cybersecurity Specialist

Kgwadi Matenche is a Senior Cybersecurity Specialist for DIRISA. He is a computer scientist with interests in DevSecOps, Information Security Event and Incident Management, Vulnerability Management, Threat Intelligence and Threat Modeling. He has experience working as Software Engineer, Cybersecurity Engineer, Security Operations Centre Analyst and Information Security Investigations Manager. Before joining DIRISA, he worked as a Team Leader: Cybersecurity Operations Center for a financial institution in South Africa. He is responsible for the security of research data management services and infrastructure, services deployed on OpenStack cloud computing platform. He is a member of the National Research and Education Network in South Africa (SANReN) – Computer Incident Response Team (CSIRT).

Ntlharhi Baloyi

Software Developer

Ntlharhi Baloyi is a Intermediate Software Developer for DIRISA.

Katlego Mogokonyane

Senior Software Developer

Katlego Mogokonyane is a Senior Software Developer for DIRISA.

Prior to joining DIRISA he worked for CSIR’s Future Production: Manufacturing cluster under Centre for Robotics and Future Production as a robotics software developer for more than five years.

Gundo Ligudu

Software Developer Intern

Gundo Ligudu Software Developer Intern for DIRISA.

Likhona Ngxolashe

Software Developer Intern

Likhona Ngxolashe is a Software Developer Intern for DIRISA.