The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has appointed Humbulani Mudau as CEO, effective 1 April 2023.
This is the organisation’s third CEO in 12 years, following the resignation of Dr Val Munsami in February 2022.
Mudau will take the reins from Andiswa Mlisa, who served as acting CEO, and arrives at a critical juncture for SANSA amid progress with the Space Infrastructure Hub and Matjiesfontein Deep Space Network node development, among others.
According to a statement released by SANSA, Mudau brings with him the ability to lead diverse teams, build long-term stakeholder relations and develop policies, strategies and implement programmes that will be an asset for the young agency.
He has over 20 years of technical and management experience in space science and technology, particularly in Earth observation systems, space technology development, as well as remote sensing and geospatial applications.
“Mudau has vast experience in intergovernmental, interagency, regional, global and international space diplomacy while lobbying on policy issues and resource mobilisation for national and international projects. Over the years, he has led at executive level, showcasing his robust and concrete capabilities in project designing, implementing and evaluating international projects with diverse stakeholders,” reads an excerpt from the statement.
Mudau joins SANSA from his previous role as chief director of space science and technology at the Department of Science and Innovation, where he served for many years in various roles.
“He has played an instrumental role in engaging the southern, eastern and western Africa regions as well as being on various African Union technical working groups, and promises to contribute meaningfully to achieving SANSA’s mandate on the continent and globally,” the agency added.
In his capacity as the senior scientific representative at GEO Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, he conceptualised the African Group on Earth Observations (AfriGEO) initiative. In his role at the department (prior to the CEO appointment), he was responsible for the implementation of its 10-year Innovation Plan – which included the National Space Strategy and South African Earth Observation Strategy (SAEOS) – as well as the establishment of the SANSA and the National Earth Observation and Space Secretariat.
Mudau holds a master's degree in satellite remote sensing from the University of Paris VI; a BSc honour's degree in environmental management and geospatial sciences from the University of Johannesburg; a certificate in remote sensing from the University of Johannesburg; and a BSc biological sciences degree from the University of Venda.
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