ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

Adv. Lufuno T Tshikalange, a distinguished cyberlaw specialist, has over 20 years of experience in ICT regulation. She founded Orizur Consulting in 2017, focusing on cyberlaw, data privacy, cybersecurity governance, and ICT procurement. Her mission is to promote STEAM education, advocate for cybersecurity culture, and ensure effective digital policy implementation in Africa, emphasizing digital human rights and security. She holds an LLM in Information Technology Law and several ICT-related postgraduate qualifications.

Dr. Chihi, with a PhD in Telecommunication, is a Senior Researcher at Innov'COM Laboratory, Sup'COM, Tunisia, and a Senior Engineer at Tunisie Telecom. Recognized as a 2019 Techwomen Fellow, her expertise encompasses wireless and mobile communication, signal processing, and AI, with a focus on vehicular and green communication. She is an active contributor to cybersecurity as part of the African Union Expert Cybersecurity Group, NCSG ICANN and reviews for IEEE conferences. Additionally, she has taught at Tunisia's leading engineering schools, including Sup'COM and ESPRIT.

Kiru has over 35 years of experience in the ICT sector including 23 years as an ICT practitioner and over ten years as an academic and researcher. He is currently in the Public Sector at the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT,) and has a national cybersecurity responsibility including managing the national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT). He obtained his PhD in Information Systems in 2012 and is a visiting academic at Wits and Stellenbosch universities, conducting post-graduate supervision curriculum development and some lecturing responsibilities.

Dr Jabu Mtsweni, Head of Information and Cyber Security at CSIR, is a distinguished researcher and cybersecurity expert. With a PhD in Computer Science and a C2 NRF rating, he's a certified Cybersecurity Manager and Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University. Dr Mtsweni's 90+ peer-reviewed articles and global speaking engagements highlight his expertise in ICT4development and cybersecurity. As Technical Leader of the National Policy Data Observatory, he influences both public and private sectors, shaping technological landscapes and security standards.

Ms. Sithembile Songo, holding a Master of Science in Information Security, leads as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at a state-owned energy entity powering 95% of South Africa's electricity. With over 20 years in cybersecurity, she safeguards critical infrastructure spanning finance, telecom, and energy sectors. Committed to cybersecurity advocacy, she mentors, speaks globally, and advises. Sithembile specializes in crafting and implementing resilient security strategies crucial for digital transformation and hybrid work environments, leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Developed and implemented E-Governance, COBIT, ITIL, ISO, and BSM policies with an integrated management framework. Spearheaded public sector governance management, supported strategic ICT procurement, and managed complex bids. Over 38 years of ICT experience, including public sector strategy, business transformation, and change management. Facilitated ICT skills development and served as an ICT advisor. Drove government transformation and integration initiatives, achieving significant milestones. Awarded the first Chartered CIO Certification in the country and served as Interim Chairperson for the ICT Steering Committee at the Department of Justice.

Vanessa Maresch is a highly accomplished Empowerment Specialist at Salt Essential Information Technology (Pty) Ltd with almost two decades of experience in ICT, with an active interest in the emerging Artificial Intelligence space. With a wealth of experience in the field, Vanessa has been instrumental in driving commercial growth and empowering businesses through innovative technology solutions. Her expertise in cybersecurity and her passion for fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing make her a valuable asset to the industry. Vanessa's dedication to cybersecurity is evident in her role in the execution Cybersecurity Awareness as part of the Namibian National Cybersecurity Awareness Raising Strategy and Plan. Her insights and leadership will guide the conversation as experts explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. Join Vanessa Maresch and other distinguished panellists as they navigate the future of cybersecurity, offering actionable insights and strategies to enhance security practices and protect against emerging threats.

Johann van Rooyen, with 25 years of experience in the IT industry, is a seasoned expert who has significantly influenced the Namibian IT landscape. Beginning his career in the early 2000s, Johann worked extensively with Microsoft's Active Directory and Exchange clustering environments, gaining valuable experience in Microsoft cluster solution projects in Gauteng. He then expanded his expertise to VMware and SAN-based virtualization, and later transitioned into TCP Networking. In 2018, Johann became one of Namibia's first Ethical Hackers, marking a pivotal shift in his career towards cybersecurity. Known for his hands-on, no-nonsense approach, Johann has been instrumental in helping both public and private sector, developing and implementing robust security strategies and solutions. His extensive background and practical experience make him a perfect fit for the event's theme, "Securing the Future: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Cybersecurity in Development." Johann's contributions align with the conference objectives, as he brings a deep understanding of cybersecurity's critical role in development, fosters collaboration, and provides actionable insights for integrating cybersecurity into various initiatives. His commitment to increasing awareness, contributing to policy formulation, and facilitating knowledge exchange will undoubtedly enrich the discussions and outcomes of the conference.

Lionel Dartnall is a distinguished professional with extensive experience in the IT industry especially in Networking and Cyber Security. With a career spanning over 27 years, he has led technical teams at Vendors, Solution Integrators and Global distribution. Lionel holds a BA Degree in Psychology from UNISA, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, National Diploma in Marketing Management and is a Certified Technical Trainer with CompTIA. A long list of vendor-specific technical certifications, coupled with the above credentials, has shaped his analytical and leadership skills, making him a respected voice and innovator in his field. He frequently speaks at industry conferences and actively evangelists for cybersecurity posture improvement. Lionel is passionate about sports, especially rugby and likes to ride his motorcycle to unwind from a week's work.

Wallace Chigona is a Professor in Information Systems at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is currently the Director of the Centre for ICT4D at the university of Cape Town and a co-Director of the Cybersecurity Capacity Centre for Southern Africa (C3SA). His research focuses on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) policies and on the use of ICTs for human development. He has researched on how disadvantaged communities in different African countries use and are affected by ICTs. Prof Chigona has served on the editorial boards of Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (EJISDC) as well as on the African Journal of Information Systems and is currently a member of UNESCO/Netexplo Advisory Board.

Mr. Paulinus Sheehama is a distinguished executive at the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia, with a remarkable career spanning over two decades. His professional journey began in the military, where he honed his leadership skills, before transitioning into the aviation industry. Currently, he is a key regulator in the extractive industry, where his expertise continues to drive significant advancements. A lawyer by profession and an ISO 31000 Lead Risk Manager, Mr. Sheehama is widely regarded as one of the top talents in the industry. His extensive knowledge and strategic vision have been instrumental in leading numerous initiatives that have brought substantial benefits to Namibia. In addition to his regulatory role, Mr. Sheehama is a thought leader committed to addressing complex challenges with innovative solutions. He serves as the Chairperson of the Namibia International Cybersecurity Conference, demonstrating his forward-thinking approach in a critical and evolving field. He is also the Technical Coordinator of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML & CFT) initiatives in the extractive industries, showcasing his dedication to safeguarding national and global financial integrity. Mr. Sheehama’ s leadership extends to various other significant roles, including Chairperson of the Technical Working Joint Committee (Ministry of Mines and Energy, Namibia Revenue Agency, Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) Sub-Committee, Uranium) and a member of the National Technical Working Group (TWG) for the UNECA/UNCTAD/UNODC project in Africa. Additionally, he is a member of the National Task Force for the implementation of Namibia's strategy on Preventing and Combating Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) and serves as the Focal Person for the Harambee Prosperity Plan II (HPP2) Effective Governance Pillar at the Ministry of Mines and Energy and a focal person EU/UNDP good governance in the extractive sector, in accordance with the National Anti-Corruption strategy and Action plan (NACSP).

With over two decades of experience in the ICT industry, Nicole is Associate Director – Sales MEA at KHIPU Networks a leading Cyber Security MSSP. She has worked within all elements of the supply chain from Corporate IT Management to Vendor Channel Management. Her experience has allowed her gain an in-depth knowledge of the needs and requirements of all parties within the ICT eco-system. Most of her career has been focused on the networking environment and cyber security. This has allowed her to be part of their ongoing evolution gaining valuable insights plus expertise as they have expanded and grown.

Dr. Ayanda Madyibi is a distinguished expert in the ICT sector with over 25 years of experience. He holds a PhD in Information Systems, specializing in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Dr. Madyibi is a thought leader in AI governance, ethics, and best practices, recently authoring a widely acclaimed four-part series on these topics in a local newspaper. His deep understanding of the intersection between AI and cybersecurity positions him as a key voice in shaping the future of technology and its ethical implications.

Tunde Dada is the Executive Group CIO at inq.Digital Corp. responsible for all information security controls and IT implementation in the company. An astute and visionary technology executive, he is a thought leader in the Information Technology and Security with global affiliations with memberships of the Business Continuity Institute, the Information Systems and Security Association, the AI Association and others across the globe. Tunde is a certified CCISO who has about 26 years of information technology experience out of which close to 20 years has been used focusing on Cybersecurity and risk management.

As a strong advocate for impact and the power of education, Noa has over a decade of experience in leading educational programs, communities, and business-leadership initiatives. Her background in program managemnt has strengthened Noa’s belief in the importance of deep, meaningful partnerships, and so she has joined the Check Point Infinity Global Services team to lead the SecureAcademy program. SecureAcademy provides top-quality cybersecurity courses and professional certifications to leading educational institutions and NGOs, making an impact on students all around the world.

Andrew Fordred a Namibian, previously an intelligence officer for the Crime Intelligence Service with the South African Police. Currently, he provides intelligence and investigation services to clients with emphasis on cyber intelligence, investigation and security, social engineering and the dark web. Andrew is also the founder of the Cyber Institute providing training to the private sector and government, a member of Board of Advisors for the OSMOSIS Institute (USA). He is also a public speaker at events such as the Journey of the Hacker Windhoek Namibia, OSMOSIS 2018 Las Vegas USA, Cyber Threats against Children UNICEF and the Munich Cyber Crime Conference by Maltego.

Multi-disciplinary executive and a thought leader with 15 years’ experience in cybersecurity, governance, management, design, development, implementation, board advisory, strategic management in leading of solutions & services for corporates. Founder Charistech Consulting a technology & cyber security advisory firm focused on supporting organisation in building secured systems. He is a Certified Information Security Manager, Certified Senior Lead Cyber Security Manager, Certified Associate Business Continuity Professional & Certified Chief Information Security Officer He is currently the Chief Information Security Officer & Data Protection Officer NPF Microfinance Bank Plc.

Nametso Manyepedza is a passionate cybersecurity professional with a degree in cybersecurity and a deep commitment to community development. As a young woman in her late 20s, Nametso is a trailblazer in the tech industry, leveraging her expertise to create meaningful change in her community. Currently, she is spearheading Marula Bytes, a digital literacy project aimed at empowering marginalized communities in her village. Through this initiative, Nametso is not only bridging the digital divide but also ensuring that these communities are equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves in an increasingly digital world. In addition to her work with Marula Bytes, Nametso is actively involved in a groundbreaking project with a local museum, where she is helping to digitize cultural artifacts. Her role in this project goes beyond preservation; she is integrating cybersecurity measures to protect these digital assets from unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity of the cultural heritage. Nametso's vision for the future is clear: to harness the power of cybersecurity to protect and uplift her community. She is determined to create a safer digital environment, particularly for marginalized groups, and to inspire other young women to pursue careers in cybersecurity. As a cybersecurity expert and community advocate, Nametso is committed to using her skills to make a lasting impact on her community, demonstrating that cybersecurity is not just a profession but a tool for empowerment and chang.

Experienced sales leader with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and fostering strategic partnerships in the dynamic realm of Cloud and Security technology. Passionate about learning, understanding and creating value for Customers with a demonstrated history of working in the Cloud industry, specializing in Partner and Security ecosystems. Skilled in Business Model Creation, Value Proposition Creation, Negotiation, Sales, Management, Solution Selling and Strategy development. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) focused in Business & Marketing from IMM Graduate School of Marketing.

Steve Jump, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and an entrepreneur, is a seasoned expert in Information Security Risk and Governance. With over 25 years of experience, he translates complex technologies into business value, emphasizing that cyber risk is a critical business issue, not just an IT concern. Steve consults, coaches, and advises at executive levels, ensuring that both technical and non-technical leaders understand the strategic importance of information security. His career spans diverse technological advancements, and he is adept at transforming new opportunities into improved governance, profitability, and risk mitigation. Steve is also a passionate mentor, known for his ability to quickly identify and solve complex security challenges, and for his commitment to building and leading effective teams.