The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has named Dr Thulani Dlamini as its new chief executive officer.
Dlamini has in the past served in different positions at the CSIR. He joined the organisation in 2005 as the head of the CSIR National Laser Centre and in 2008 he was appointed as the group executive for Research and Development, a position he held until 2011 when he left the CSIR to join Sasol. At Sasol he was the executive manager of Research and Development and later became vice-president for Strategic Research and Technology.
"I am excited about my return to the CSIR to take forward the excellent work of my predecessors. I look forward to working with our partners and the brilliant minds in the organisation. The CSIR is well positioned to have an impact beyond the South African borders, and it is my hope that together with our global partners we can deliver on the mandate of the CSIR to use science, engineering and technology to advance society and the industry," says Dlamini.
According to CSIR, Dlamini was instrumental in the establishment of the Photonics Initiative of SA and the development of a national strategy for photonics research, development and innovation. He is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Furthermore, he has served on numerous boards including the Sasol Pension Fund, Automotive Industry Development Centre, Sasol Technology UK and Netherlands.
CSIR board chairperson, professor Thokozani Majozi says by appointing such a thought leader in science, the CSIR is poised for greater success ahead.
"The board is excited about Dr Dlamini joining the CSIR and we have full confidence in his leadership and management skills. He is indeed the ideal incumbent to usher the CSIR into the new phase. He lands on solid ground, prepared by his predecessors. He can only succeed. We would like to thank Dr Molefi Motuku who has done a sterling job in leading the organisation as the acting CEO since October 2016. He will, henceforth, be resuming his duties as the group executive for Research and Development," says Majozi.
Dlamini holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand and a master's in Business Leadership from the University of SA. He has also completed advanced courses in several aspects of technology management and the chemical industry, offered by institutions such as the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne in Switzerland.
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