Mere Kgampe - Director

Since joining the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in 2012, Mere Kgampe has played a crucial role in the implementation of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Act, which protects the country's declared Astronomy Advantage Areas for radio, optical astronomy and related scientific endeavours.

An expert in regulatory issues, he assists in developing astronomy regulations, and supports the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in consultation and promulgation processes. He is also an active participant in World Radiocommunication Conferences at national, regional, continental and international level.

Kgampe started his career at the Competition Commission of South Africa, where he developed his passion for regulatory issues. Before joining the DSI, he was a Radio Frequency Specialist at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) for over 10 years. While serving at ICASA, he was among the few individuals nominated to serve on the ICASA 2010 World Cup team that was responsible for assessing applications for spectrum licences from all over the world. He also participated in the development of the National Analogue Broadcasting and National Digital Terrestrial Television frequency plans.

Kgampe holds a Master's in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa (UNISA), and a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering and National Diploma in Computer Engineering Systems, both from Tshwane University of Technology. He also holds a Diploma in New Technologies in Broadcasting from the United States Telecommunications Training Institute.

Email:  mere.kgampe@dst.gov.za

Tel:  +27 (0)12 843 6644

Musa Baloye - Project Coordinator

A SKA South Africa Project Coordinator, Musa Baloye was seconded to the DSI to coordinate the co‑management activities undertaken by the Astronomy Management Authority (AMA) and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) for the implementation of regulations for the protection of the country's Astronomy Advantage Areas. He also manages project stakeholder engagement.

Baloye was previously a Project Coordinator at the Auditor-General of South Africa, where he also handled IT project coordination and stakeholder liaison, and conducted audit trend analyses in respect of the Public Finance Management Act and Municipal Finance Management Act. He has also held Project Coordinator positions at Sanlam, Telkom and Broadband Infraco.

Baloye holds an Honours in Business Administration from MANCOSA, and an Advanced Diploma in Business Management and Diploma in Business Management from the South African Institute of Management. He is currently pursuing an MCom in Project Management through Cranefield College.

Email: mbaloye@ska.ac.za

Tel:  +27 (0)11 442 2434

Veronica Sebueng - Admin Officer

An Administrative Officer at the DSI, Veronica Sebueng manages administration, events, unit finances and logistics to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the Astronomy Management Authority (AMA), thus contributing to the achievement of the AMA's objectives of protecting the country's Astronomy Advantage Areas for radio astronomy and related scientific activities and effectively managing the public participation processes required by the AGA Act. 

In her previous work as a Senior Secretary, she provided administrative support, analysed information for the preparation of departmental budgets and assisted with their monitoring, liaised with other departments and entities, coordinated activities, and exchanged information.

Sebueng holds a Bachelor's Degree in Administration and certificates in Project Management and Events Management.

Email:  veronica.sebueng@dst.gov.za

Tel: +27 (0)12 843 6407

Khomotso Kumalo

Intern: Astronomy Management Authority

Selaelo Matlhane - Manager: Spectrum and Telecommunications

The Spectrum and Telecommunications Manager for Square Kilometre Array (SKA) South Africa, Selaelo Matlhane helps the DSI to implement the AGA Act, which protects the country's Astronomy Advantage Areas for radio astronomy and related scientific activities.

Matlhane manages the radio frequency spectrum in accordance with national and international regulations, and facilitates the coexistence of radio astronomy facilities in the Karoo with the operation of broadcasting, broadband, aeronautical, cellular, satellite, mining, defence, solar and wind energy technologies.

He is also responsible for the specification, establishment and operation of radio astronomy-friendly information and communications technology for broadband services and future communication technologies in the Astronomy Advantage Areas.

Matlhane is a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa, a Fellow of the American Academy of Project Management, and a Master Project Manager and Certified International Project Manager with the American Academy of Project Management.

He previously served as a Senior Systems Engineer at Air Traffic and Navigation Services, where he was responsible for the planning and deploying of communication and navigation infrastructure. He also worked as a consultant at Ergonomics Technologies, and as a scientist at the Institute for Maritime Technology, where he conducted defence research for techno-military support products and services.

Matlhane holds an MSc in Technology Management from the University of Pretoria, and an MSc in Project Management and BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. He is currently studying for a PhD in Management of Technology and Innovation at the Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management.

Email:  smatlhane@ska.ac.za

Tel:  +27 (0)11 442 2434

Brandon Mazibuko - Senior Engineer: Spectrum Licensing

An experienced engineer with over 20 years in designing, planning and implementing radio communication networks, Brandon Mazibuko is responsible for preparing compliance assessment reports and permit conditions in accordance with the regulations for the protection of the country's Astronomy Advantage Areas.

He previously worked as a Senior Specialist at Vodacom South Africa, where he was responsible for the planning and engineering of point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave networks, and as a Senior Radio Frequency Engineer at Neotel, where he was responsible for the planning and engineering of CDMA2000, WiMAX and microwave radio networks.

Mazibuko holds an MPhil in Engineering Management from the University of Johannesburg, a BTech in Business Administration from UNISA, a Certificate in Telecommunications Policy, Regulation and Management from the University of the Witwatersrand, a BTech in Electrical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology, and a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Pretoria Technikon. He is currently completing a BCom through UNISA.

Email:  bmazibuko@ska.ac.za

Tel:  +27 (0)11 442 2434

Thato Nape - Permit Coordinator

Thato Nape is employed by SARAO as Permit Coordinator for the Spectrum and Telecommunications team. A seasoned administrator, she is responsible for the implementation of standard operating procedures for co-management agreements, as determined by the AGA Act, through the operationalising of agreements with government and non-government sectors.

Nape also maintains an up-to-date, secure case management system for all documents received through the application process for permits under the AGA Act and regulations, and ensures that all communication that takes place through the public participation component of the integrated environmental application process is traceable. She is also responsible for office administration in support of the Spectrum Management team.

Nape holds a BCom Economics and Econometrics from the University of Johannesburg and a Pastel Accounting Certificate from Brooklyn City College. She is currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management through MANCOSA.

Email:  tnape@ska.ac.za

Tel:  +27 (0)11 442 2434

Suretha Jansen - Legal Advisor

Adv. Suretha Jansen was appointed as Legal Advisor to the Astronomy Management Authority (AMA) in 2018 under the auspices of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the DSI.

An experienced legal advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the national system of innovation, Adv. Jansen has a keen interest in astronomy, and has been a key member of the team that provides legal, human resources and industrial relations advice and services to SKA South Africa since 2012.

She obtained an LLB and an advanced qualification in Labour Law from the University of Pretoria, and is also a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch Business School. In 2017, the NRF's legal department was nominated and shortlisted for an African Legal Award.

Email:  suretha.jansen@nrf.ac.za

Tel:  +27 (0)12 481 4196