Steve Mackay is one of the founding team for the Engineering Institute of Technology. He firmly believes in Nelson Mandela’s mantra that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.” His passion for extraordinarily high-quality learning has driven EIT’s unique and distinctive approach to engineering education.

• For the past three decades three core objectives have defined the essence of the institute:

• Collaborating comprehensively with the industry to ensure learning resources and graduates are job ready.
• Employing platforms of learning to facilitate ease of student accessibility and engagement.
• Ensuring that the learner is always sovereign in everything we do.

Dr. Mackay has enjoyed a varied career in engineering, having worked in automation, data acquisition, instrumentation, data communications, and process control throughout Australia, Europe, Africa, and North America over the past 35 years.

He has successfully pioneered the application of new technologies in Australia, Africa, Europe and the USA, installing industrial automation systems, and industrial data communication systems and implementing live online education, (including remote laboratories), for engineering students worldwide.

Steve has been involved in a range of industries, including power stations, mining, mineral processing, airports, oil/gas/petrochemical plants, and offshore platforms. He has presented courses on industrial data communications, data acquisition, instrumentation, and process control to over 30,000 engineers and technicians worldwide for clients such as NASA, Rolls Royce, and BP.

He has also co-authored and edited 25 engineering books that have been published across the world. Steve is a Fellow of Engineers Australia with a licence to practice as a Chemical, Mechanical, and Electrical Chartered Professional Engineer. As Dean of the Engineering Institute of Technology, Dr. Mackay leads the institute in providing micro-credentials and engineering qualifications to over 4000 students per year from 160 countries.

He has an unwavering commitment to high-quality student outcomes, excellence in affordable engineering education, and new technologies and is always keenly interested in students and their experiences.

Liza Rootman is an experienced leader in higher education, with a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and student success. She has played a pivotal role in shaping academic institutions, driving growth, and fostering environments where both students and staff can thrive.

Her career spans over 20 years at a number of respected higher education institutions, where she has devoted much of her career to advancing different fields of study on various levels – from general programmes to more career-focused areas such as hospitality management, and most recently, creative media. This diverse experience has given her a unique perspective on education and the evolving needs of students across disciplines.

She is committed to balancing a strategic vision with a student-centred approach. Believing deeply in the transformative power of education, Liza works to create opportunities that allow students to reach their full potential. By placing students at the heart of every decision she ensures her work contributes to meaningful, life-changing outcomes.

Eldridge Mapfumo is an accomplished academic leader and engineering professional with over a decade of experience across higher education, engineering consulting, and project leadership. He brings a strong track record in driving academic excellence and institutional performance. He possesses deep expertise in academic programme development, curriculum design, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance within the South African higher education framework.

He has led academic teams, supervised students, coordinated national examinations, and developed high-quality learning materials that enhance student success and graduate employability. In senior academic and leadership roles, he has contributed to strategic planning, academic operations management, staff development, and stakeholder engagement with regulatory and industry bodies.

Complementing his academic leadership, he has extensive engineering industry experience, having led multidisciplinary teams of up to 37 professionals and delivered complex projects valued between R500,000 and R50 million across the energy, infrastructure, and consulting sectors.
He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Russia), a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (cum laude), and is completing a PhD in Industrial Engineering. He has also been invited to contribute to the Russia–Africa Advisory Panel, supporting strategic collaboration between governments.

Busisiwe Matewu is a higher education professional with extensive experience in academic planning, quality assurance, programme accreditation, and institutional research. She has worked across both public universities and private higher education institutions, where she has led and supported initiatives in programme development, accreditation processes, compliance with regulatory frameworks, and quality enhancement systems.

Her expertise includes engaging with regulatory and professional bodies, managing institutional and programme reviews, and driving continuous improvement to align academic offerings with national standards. She also holds qualifications in Public Management and Administration, supported by research contributions in governance and higher education.

Sonia is a dedicated and passionate Programme Advisor with over five years of experience supporting students in higher education. Her career has been built on a deep commitment to guiding learners toward academic success, personal growth, and meaningful career pathways.

She began her academic journey by obtaining Marketing Management qualification, where she developed a strong foundation in communication, strategic thinking, and relationship management — skills that have become central to her work as an advisor. Currently, Sonia is in her final year of pursuing a degree in Information Science, further expanding her expertise in information management, digital literacy, and data-driven student support strategies.

Throughout her experience in the education sector, Sonia has worked closely with diverse groups of students — helping them navigate program choices, academic challenges, and personal development. Her approach is characterized by empathy, structure, and a strong belief that every student deserves the right guidance to unlock their full potential.

Sonia’s vision as a Programme Advisor is to create an environment where students feel empowered, informed, and inspired to take charge of their academic and professional journeys. She strives to bridge the gap between institutional expectations and student experiences, ensuring that every learner receives the individualized attention they need to succeed.

Driven by her passion for education and lifelong learning, Sonia continues to grow both personally and professionally embracing innovation, collaboration, and compassion as the cornerstones of her practice in higher education.

Carol Mamabolo is an experienced higher education professional with a strong background in student services, academic administration, and programme support.

With over 6 years of experience in academic administration, Carol has developed expertise in admissions, programme coordination, student support, and operational processes within tertiary education environments. She currently serves as a Learning Support Officer at Engineering Institute of Science & Technology, a focused private college, where she provides academic and administrative support to students and lecturers, contributing to an effective and structured learning environment.

Her previous roles include working as a Programme Co-ordinator, Admissions Officer, Engineering Planner, across higher education and corporate settings. These positions have strengthened her organisational, communication, and client-service skills while giving her a broad understanding of both administrative operations and student-facing functions.

Carol is passionate about student development, efficient academic systems, and supporting environments that enable learners to succeed.

Thobile Hlatshwayo is a seasoned Financial Administrator with more than six years of experience supporting financial operations within the private tertiary education sector. She is responsible for managing both student and campus accounts, ensuring accurate record-keeping, timely transactions, and full compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Thobile is dedicated to providing exceptional service to students and staff, contributing to a positive and efficient administrative environment. Her strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and commitment to operational excellence reflect her passion for education and her desire to support institutions in achieving their academic and organisational goals.

Frikkie has over 20 years of experience in the field of EMC, PE and EO subsystems in both testing and design. Starting his career on the Power System Protection side, he migrated to EMC, PE and EO subsystems. Frikkie’s portfolio of achievements includes design of Power Systems, Switch Mode Power Supplies, UPS, high precision Servo Amplifiers, video systems for UAV’s and IR cameras for high reliability military applications.

An enthusiastic instructor with a wealth of knowledge under his belt, you will gain much from his practical approach and entertaining style, as thousands of others have benefited from his knowledge. Don’t miss this excellent workshop presented by a leading engineer in EMC/EMI, PE and EO.

Samkelo Nene is a Candidate Engineering Technologist registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and holds a BEng Tech (Honours) in Electrical Power Engineering. In recognition of his academic excellence and leadership, he was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society, a distinction awarded to the top-performing students worldwide. His academic foundation spans power systems, rotating machines, transformers and switchgear, power electronics, and energy policy.

He has served as a formal undergraduate tutor and lab facilitator, integrating practical experiments with theoretical learning to support diverse student needs. His teaching philosophy emphasizes adaptability, mentorship, and authentic engagement, ensuring that students not only grasp complex concepts but also connect them to real-world applications.

Beyond academia, Samkelo has contributed to South Africa’s G20 Presidency through Energy Transitions Working Group, supporting policy dialogues and collaborative frameworks for sustainable energy. His involvement strengthened his perspective on the intersection of engineering, policy, and international cooperation, reinforcing his commitment to advancing energy transitions locally and globally

Terry is an electrical engineer with over four decades of experience across numerous industries, including mining, steel, oil and gas, power utilities, and rail. Terry is a director of several companies and has extensive experience in quality systems, risk management, compliance and corporate governance. Terry is a fellow of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers and an academic board member of the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT).

Engineering consultant, Lecturer, Trainer with 42 years of experience in the Hvac&R and Electrical fields, Earthing (commercial and industrial).

Highlights: Invention in the Hvac&R field. Designed the Hvac&R curriculum for Btech degree, University of Johannesburg (UJ) and lectured the course for 12 years.

Did consulting work in Malaysia – DCS (District cooling systems).

Mining a/c – chillers for York (Miac).

Sasol Secunda and Sasolburg – Electrical.

Currently active in a mentorship programme and skills (Hvac&R) transfer for Airconditioning manufacturing company.

Sally is a leader in technology-enabled learning and skills development, with over 11 years of experience designing and delivering large-scale learning strategies across Africa. As CEO of Rekindle Learning, an award-winning EdTech company, she has helped organisations modernise their learning ecosystems through micro-learning, adaptive training, and technology-driven upskilling.

She also leads the CovCyber Institute, a specialised training initiative focused on drone technology, cybersecurity awareness, and emerging digital skills. Her work equips young people and professionals with the future-ready skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

Sally has partnered with universities, corporates, and public sector institutions to introduce innovative learning modalities and strengthen the link between education and employability. She has served on multiple advisory committees and boards in the education and development sectors, driven by a commitment to youth empowerment, equitable access to skills, and impactful learning.

She is honoured to serve on the ECST Board.