Presenting our panel of experts that specialize in various sectors across multiple industries.
Meet the 2024 Panel
Nicky is Nedbank’s Chief Economist. A position she’s held since February 2020. She has been the Senior Economist since 2000. Nicky received her Masters in Economics from the University of Stellenbosch in 1994 and soon advised government on economic procedures and policies in her capacity as an economist in the Central Economic Advisory Service, which has since been integrated into the President's Office.
Her experience in the banking, securities and brokering industries has given her a broader knowledge of a wide range of fields within economics, including sector analysis, fixed investment trends, as well as the relationship between real economic trends and developments in the financial markets.
Her experience in the banking, securities and brokering industries has given her a broader knowledge of a wide range of fields within economics, including sector analysis, fixed investment trends, as well as the relationship between real economic trends and developments in the financial markets.
Godi represents the emergence of new business disruptors within the South African economic landscape who are pioneering a new frontier of entrepreneurial innovation. Founded in 2021, Delivery Ka Speed is a food delivery company with the sole purpose of bringing convenience to townships while alleviating unemployment.
Delivery Ka Speed operates in over 10 townships with plans to expand nationwide.
Godi has also had a dramatic impact on the tutoring industry with his business Goodie Tutors SA, which today prides itself in servicing South Africa's top tier organisations with over 300 tutors nationwide.
Delivery Ka Speed operates in over 10 townships with plans to expand nationwide.
Godi has also had a dramatic impact on the tutoring industry with his business Goodie Tutors SA, which today prides itself in servicing South Africa's top tier organisations with over 300 tutors nationwide.
Bongane is an admitted attorney and has over 15 years of wide and varied experience in legal, regulatory and compliance related roles.
Bongane holds a law degree from Wits University, a Senior Management Programme Certificate from GIBS Business School and an Advanced Banking Management Certificate from UNISA.
He started his career at the SA Human Rights Commission and also worked as a Nedbank Call Centre Service Agent before later joining Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENSAfrica) where he later became a Senior Associate.
Outside work, Bongane’ s passions are multifaceted and includes among other things, being a TV and Radio Analyst on political and legal matters and being a proponent of good governance. He is also extremely passionate about educating youth and devoting his time to the advancement of education and is a Trustee of the Umlambo Foundation which is founded by the former Deputy President.
Bongane holds a law degree from Wits University, a Senior Management Programme Certificate from GIBS Business School and an Advanced Banking Management Certificate from UNISA.
He started his career at the SA Human Rights Commission and also worked as a Nedbank Call Centre Service Agent before later joining Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENSAfrica) where he later became a Senior Associate.
Outside work, Bongane’ s passions are multifaceted and includes among other things, being a TV and Radio Analyst on political and legal matters and being a proponent of good governance. He is also extremely passionate about educating youth and devoting his time to the advancement of education and is a Trustee of the Umlambo Foundation which is founded by the former Deputy President.
Miles is the poster child for the audacity of hope. Having once been employed by a leading multinational, he went out on a limb and ingeniously created a restaurant with the same name and branding as a fictional restaurant portrayed in a famous 'beeg beeg dreamer' TV ad campaign. In doing so, he catapulted into media stardom, and soon translated his innovative thinking into entrepreneurial success.
Driven by tenacity, optimism and self-belief, Miles is uniquely capable of inspiring audiences to dream big but execute with practicality.
Driven by tenacity, optimism and self-belief, Miles is uniquely capable of inspiring audiences to dream big but execute with practicality.
Jason has over two decades of experience in the township and rural retail space.
Since joining the family-owned McCormick Property Development (MPD) in 2002, he has personally been responsible for over 30 retail developments, totalling more than half a million square meters of GLA in the niche market of rural and township retail.
Given the rapid expansion of MPD, the development and ownership arms of the company were separated in 2018. As part of the restructure, Exemplar REITail Ltd was listed on the JSE, with 20 retail centres and Jason as the CEO.
Exemplar’s portfolio has since grown to 23 centres with assets to the value of R1bn having been added.
Since joining the family-owned McCormick Property Development (MPD) in 2002, he has personally been responsible for over 30 retail developments, totalling more than half a million square meters of GLA in the niche market of rural and township retail.
Given the rapid expansion of MPD, the development and ownership arms of the company were separated in 2018. As part of the restructure, Exemplar REITail Ltd was listed on the JSE, with 20 retail centres and Jason as the CEO.
Exemplar’s portfolio has since grown to 23 centres with assets to the value of R1bn having been added.
Director of RPIH, Michael has been instrumental in the continued development of retail in the township and rural spaces. He has been integral in the development industry for almost two decades with projects including Makhado Nzhelele Shopping Centre, Tswelopele Convenience Centre, Theku Plaza, Keyarona Shopping Centre and Moratiwa Crossing amongst others.
Join Michael at TRIS 2022 as he joins our panel to discuss the township development model and how retail can be used as an agent to drive positive change in bridging the accessibility gap.
Maude Modise is the Executive: ESD and Government relations at the Shoprite Group and heads up Shoprite Next Capital, a business division dedicated to developing and growing commercially viable Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMME’s).
Modise, who grew up in Mabopane near Pretoria, obtained a BCom Accounting at North-West University, after which she joined the Group’s graduate programme as a trainee accountant in 2014. Her roles have included Financial Manager at Shoprite’s Distribution Centre in Johannesburg and Divisional Financial Manager for USave Gauteng.
Combining her education, skills and previous roles in finance with Modise’s extensive experience mentoring of young graduates, she now brings new impetus to the Group’s development of small and medium businesses to give them access to market, to increase local procurement and to create jobs.
Modise, who grew up in Mabopane near Pretoria, obtained a BCom Accounting at North-West University, after which she joined the Group’s graduate programme as a trainee accountant in 2014. Her roles have included Financial Manager at Shoprite’s Distribution Centre in Johannesburg and Divisional Financial Manager for USave Gauteng.
Combining her education, skills and previous roles in finance with Modise’s extensive experience mentoring of young graduates, she now brings new impetus to the Group’s development of small and medium businesses to give them access to market, to increase local procurement and to create jobs.
An entrepreneur at heart, Thabiso founded Greener Pastures Recycling Company in 2013. Founded as a youth-owned business, it won the 702 Nedbank Business Ignite competition in 2020 and now employs 60 full time staff members.
With a passion for business, youth employment and environmental awareness, Thabiso’s mission is to improve waste management and recycling while educating people about the positive impact this can have.
With a passion for business, youth employment and environmental awareness, Thabiso’s mission is to improve waste management and recycling while educating people about the positive impact this can have.
Bulelani is an awarded entrepreneur & business speaker. He has earned the name Township entrepreneur developer & youth ambassador. He is CEO of IAF brands a township-based branding & social media marketing company which has serviced numerous local and international brands. He is the founder of Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA), an initiative aimed at developing entrepreneurs in the township & rural areas. Through this platform TEA has directly impacted over 60 000 small businesses in the formal and informal sector. Bulelani is featured on multiple media platforms globally where he gives thought leadership and insights. He has shared platforms with business, industry and government leaders and lives by the simple motto #GetThingsDone.
Josephine Katumba is a dedicated leader in Food Systems Transformation. She holds a BCom degree in Accounting and Economics from the University of Johannesburg.
She focuses her talent, time, and efforts on addressing the critical challenges of food security and sustainability. As the lead of Gcwalisa, she is executing ideas into action to make a tangible difference in low-income communities by democratising access to nutritious food and tackling systemic issues.
Her journey has been marked by significant recognition, including being honoured as one of Africa's Brightest Young Minds by the World Food Programme and being named a Mercedes Benz BEVISIONEER.
She focuses her talent, time, and efforts on addressing the critical challenges of food security and sustainability. As the lead of Gcwalisa, she is executing ideas into action to make a tangible difference in low-income communities by democratising access to nutritious food and tackling systemic issues.
Her journey has been marked by significant recognition, including being honoured as one of Africa's Brightest Young Minds by the World Food Programme and being named a Mercedes Benz BEVISIONEER.
Stacy leads the commercial team for Kantar SA, the world’s largest consumer research agency. Stacy has over 20 years experience in research, across FMCG, banking, retail, financial services, sports and telco’s.
Stacy is passionate about bringing the human voice to brands and businesses in South Africa, to enable the type of change and innovation that serve the needs of people and our country, while driving the bottom line.
Stacy is passionate about bringing the human voice to brands and businesses in South Africa, to enable the type of change and innovation that serve the needs of people and our country, while driving the bottom line.
The epitome of the township experience, Ma’Zwane’s passion has always been empowerment and understanding the challenges and opportunities facing township communities. Through Imbizo Shisanyama, she has successfully pioneered, developed and commercialised the Shisanyama sector, radically changing the entire food, beverage and hospitality landscape in South Africa.
What Happened in 2023
The second edition of the Township Retail Investment Summit explored the vast opportunities and challenges of investing in the township space.
TRIS2023 featured keynote speakers and industry leaders that lead discussions around making the township retail space more connected.
