Her Excellency Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim served as the sixth President of Mauritius from 2015 to 2018, becoming the nation's first female head of state. A renowned biodiversity scientist, she holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Exeter and has published extensively on the medicinal properties of indigenous plants. Dr Gurib-Fakim has held academic leadership roles at the University of Mauritius and has been recognised globally for her scientific contributions, including receiving the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. She has also served on the Science Advisory Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and was listed among Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women in the World.

The Honourable Mr Nhlanhla Nene

Nhlanhla Musa Nene is a seasoned South African economist and policymaker who served as Minister of Finance under Presidents Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. His tenure was marked by a commitment to fiscal discipline and macroeconomic stability. Dr Nene began his parliamentary career in 1999 and has held various leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Finance Portfolio Committee and Deputy Minister of Finance. He holds a degree from the University of the Western Cape and has been instrumental in shaping South Africa's economic policies.

Professor Bonang Mohale

Professor Bonang Mohale is the Chancellor of the University of the Free State and Chairman of the Bidvest Group and several prominent companies in South Africa.  He was the former chair of Business Unity South Africa. An accomplished business leader and advocate for ethical governance, he has held executive positions in major corporations and is known for his thought leadership on transformation and leadership in South Africa. Professor Mohale is also the author of "Lift As You Rise," a book that encapsulates his philosophy on leadership and mentorship

Ms Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Ms Yvonne Chaka Chaka, affectionately known as the "Princess of Africa," is an internationally acclaimed South African singer, songwriter, and humanitarian. With a career spanning over three decades, she has used her platform to advocate for health and education initiatives across Africa. Ms Chaka Chaka has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and was the first African woman to receive the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award. She holds an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Rhodes University and continues to impact lives through her Princess of Africa Foundation

Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi

Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg. A distinguished legal scholar, he holds a Doctor of Laws degree and has been recognised for his contributions to social security law and policy. Professor Mpedi has held various academic leadership positions and is a member of the board of governors of the International Association of Law Schools. His work focuses on advancing legal education and promoting social justice in South Africa.

Brigadier-General Professor (Dr) Dan Kuwali

Brigadier General Dan Kuwali serves in the Malawi Defence Force as Commandant of the National Defence College. After reading for his Bachelor of Laws degree with honours at the University of Malawi, he studied for a Master’s degree in International Law with distinction at the University of Lund in Sweden where he also earned his doctoral degree in the same field.

 

As an academic, he is a Visiting Professor at Lund University. He is also an Extraordinary Professor of International Law at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

 

Prof Kuwali’s work and research interests span a spectrum of issues ranging from governance, global security, policy, and strategy to International Law and International Relations including International Criminal Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

 

Prof Kuwali’s military honours include two United Nations peacekeeping medals, command medal, efficient service medal, among other accolades.

Ms Anne Pratt

Ms Anne Pratt is a Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow and a multi-award-winning businesswoman known for her work in ethical leadership and governance. She has led various initiatives aimed at promoting integrity and accountability in both the public and private sectors. Ms Pratt's contributions to leadership development have been recognised globally, and she continues to mentor emerging leaders through her involvement in international programmes and organisations.