Dr MAFU RAKOMETSI CEO OF UMALUSI
Keynote Speaker
Dr Rakometsi has served in multiple roles in the education sector. He has served as Director and Chief Director for Educational Development and Professional Services at the Free State Department of Education, and Head of Department at the Free State Department of Education. These career opportunities have exposed him to leadership at provincial, national and international levels. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in History and History of Education. Dr Mafu S Rakometsi is an accomplished administrator whose career spans 40 years of service in the South African public sector with a special focus on basic education.
OVERVIEW
The Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training sets and monitors standards for general and further education and training in South Africa in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework Act 67 of 2008, as amended, and the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act 58 of 2001, as amended. The Council is tasked with the development and management of a sub-framework of qualifications for general and further education and training and for the attendant quality assurance. Umalusi is currently responsible for the certification of the following qualifications: Schools – Senior Certificate amended (SCa) (continues as a revised qualification for adults) and National Senior Certificate (NSC); TVET Colleges – National Technical Certificate (N3) and National Certificate Vocational (NCV); Adult Learning Centres – General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC). In order to issue learners with certificates that are credible, Umalusi develops and evaluates qualifications and curricula to ensure that they are of the expected standard; moderates assessment to ensure that it is fair, valid and reliable; accredits providers of education and training, and assessment; conducts research to ensure educational quality; and verifies the authenticity of certificates.
Norman Choane
MC/Moderator
Co-founded the God First in Peace Foundation Multipurpose Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to holistic community development. Through this center, he continues to extend his efforts in training, empowerment, and development for individuals of all genders, ages, and races. His unwavering commitment to gender equality has also led her to serve as an ambassador in the fight against gender-based violence, advocating for a safer and more equitable society. Furthermore, he is actively involved in supporting graduates in their quest for employment, understanding the vital role that economic stability plays in transforming lives and communities.
Adv Marguarite Froneman
Panelist
Adv Marguarite Froneman is a practising advocate with 19 years’ experience in Labour Law and a deep understanding of higher education, local government and respective private industries. Skilled in advising on all HR and LR matters, drafting of policies, governance issues, collective bargaining, CCMA representation, initiating and chairing disciplinary & grievance procedures, chairing appeal hearings, Labour Court Reviews and Rescission. Qualifications; University of the Free State -LLD in Labour Law Thesis: The mandatory vaccination conundrum in South African Higher Education Institutions: a legal perspective.
Dr Seipati Bernice Dichabe
Commissioner / Panelist
Dr Seipati Bernice Dichabe born in Kimberley a mother of three. Pharmacist, Engineer and Economist. Qualifications; BA Univ North, BAHon UFS, MA University of Ottawa Canada. Honorary PhD to be conferred by UN Women In Community Development on 16 March 2024 in New York USA. TIUA School of Business. Boards and Council serving. Chairperson of BramFisher Community Development Centre; Deputy Chairperson of PanSouth African Language Board (PANSALB) and Universitas Academic Hospital Board (UAHB) Member of South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) and Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA) Expertise in Linguistic Human Rights, Governance and Finances Skills development training. Multiple award recipient from DCS, SAPS and Community NGOs.
MR VIJAYEN NAIDOO
Commissioner / Panelist
Mr Vijayen Naidoo has been the CEO of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations since June 2017, having previously held the post of Chief Director for Occupational Quality Assurance since 2014. Since his appointment, Mr Naidoo has developed and implemented the Quality Assurance model for Occupational Qualifications. More recently, he has played a major role in re-conceptualising the Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework (OQSF) of the National Qualifications Framework, which was subsequently gazetted by the Minister (HESI) in October 2021. The OQSF now consists of Occupational Qualification types which elevate the status of occupational training and replace the programmes currently being offered by TVET and CET Colleges. Prior to this, Mr Naidoo worked for Umalusi (Council for General and Further Education and Training), as the Senior Manager for Quality Assurance of Assessment, where he was responsible for managing the development and implementation of the Umalusi quality assurance systems to support the introduction of the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) in 2007 and the National Senior Certificate (NSC) in 2008. Mr Naidoo has almost 35 years of experience in the education and training sector and has held various positions including teacher, technical college lecturer, Deputy Principal of an erstwhile technical college, and Deputy Chief Educational Specialist at the Gauteng Department of Education. His current work focuses on Skills Development and the provisioning thereof across the Post School Education and Training Sector (PSET). Mr Naidoo serves on the Board of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the National Skills Authority (NSA), the Council for Higher Education (CHE) and Umali. He also currently serves on various task teams and structures which contribute to the development of key policies in the education and training sectors. His latest appointment is as a member of the Committee for Integrated Post Schooling Education and Training (PSET) Planning. His areas of expertise are in Systems Planning, Quality Assurance, Assessment, and TVET.
MR KEPI MADUMO
Commissioner / Panelist
Mr Kepi Madumo is currently the National Librarian and CEO of the National Library of South Africa. With over two decades of experience, he has held numerous senior leadership positions, including Director of the Provincial Library, Information and Archives Services in the North West Province, and Director of Information Management in the National Department of Social Development. Kepi has also served as a Strategic Executive Director for the City of Tshwane (Pretoria) and Executive Director for the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Community Development. He holds a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Cape Town and has completed prestigious executive leadership programmes at the Wits Business School and Gordon Institute of Business Science University of Pretoria. Kepi has actively contributed to professional associations, including the South African Library and Information Association (LIASA) and the African Library & Information Institutions & Associations (AFLIA). He is recognised for his expertise and currently serves as the Chairperson of the AFLIA National Libraries Section. and also the current Chairperson of the Standing Conference for African National and University Librarians for Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (SCANULE-ECS).
MR JOHAN VOLSTEEDT
Commissioner / Panelist
Mr Johan Volsteedt better known as ‘Mr Vollies’ is the former headmaster of Grey College. As the headmaster he managed to steer the institution through challenging waters and continued with dedicated commitment to produce exceptional scholars year after year. His management and organizational skills are reflected in his ability to guide the staff and scholars to consistently perform above expectations.” For more than 50 years he has served as a mentor, teacher, friend and leader for thousands of young men and women. Mr Vollies is known as one of the most influential people in the country.