New board for Water Research Commission | Infrastructure news

Dr Nozibele Mjoli, Chairperson of the WRC Board

Dr Nozibele Mjoli, was recently appointed as Chairperson the Water Research Commission

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, recently appointed the new Board of the Water Research Commission (WRC), which will be led by well-known water sector activists, Dr Nozibele Mjoli, who will serve as Chairperson, and Prof Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo as Deputy Chairperson.

Dhesigen Naidoo, CEO of the WRC, shared the exciting news with WRC staff earlier this year: “We applaud Minister Mokonyane for her excellent choice of WRC leadership, especially at a time when the organisation is making a quantum leap in its strategy to respond to South Africa’s critical water challenges.

“Of particular interest to the WRC is the appointment of Dr Nozibele Mjoli and Prof Vil-Nkomo, who are no strangers to the WRC at all.”

Dr Mjoli

Dr Mjoli was the first Black woman to be appointed in a managerial position at the WRC, and during her tenure played an active role in promoting the supply of water to unserved parts of South Africa.

Mjoli is the founder and Managing Director of Hlathi Development Services (established in 2003), and is a researcher, consultant and leadership coach. She holds a PhD in Microbiology (University of Notre Dame, USA).

Her work experience includes teaching, research (UCT and CSIR), academia (North West University – at the former Bophuthatswana University, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal – at the former University of Durban Westville), Research Manager and Research Director (WRC).

She has served on several national and international water advisory bodies, and is currently a member of the Board of the South African National Space Agency.

Mjoli has 30 years of research experience in the fields of biotechnology, water and sanitation, and is the author of a book entitled Embracing gender diverse leadership for innovation in the 21st century, published in 2013.

Prof Vil-Nkomo

Prof Vil-Nkomo currently serves as Research Professor in the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria. He is a former Executive Director and a member of the Executive of the University of Pretoria.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University, USA (Magna Cum Laude) and his Masters and PhD degrees at the University of Delaware, USA.

Prof Vil-Nkomo is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware, and serves as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University.

Members of the new WRC board

Dr Nozibele Mjoli (Chairperson)

Prof Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo (Deputy Chairperson)

Prof Aldo Stroebel

Ms Nompumelelo Msezane

Dr Mosidi Makgae

Ms Masaccha Khulekelwe Mbonambi

Mr Mxolisi Adolphius Cassius Ndhlovu

Dr Ntombifuthi Patience Nala and

Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology

According to Naidoo the new Board will be officially introduced to the WRC staff at a meeting to be held early in the year.

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