Category: News

Playing the long skills game

There are plenty of digital jobs for young South Africans, so why aren’t more of our youth filling them? The Collective X thinks it has the answer, writes Matthew Burbridge, Editor of Brainstorm Magazine…

Salesforce is committed to South Africa

Salesforce is already able to offer the most affordable training in the world – and it is committed to extending this value to South Africans by working with The Collective X, says Salesforce’s Senior Talent Programme Manager, Ursula Fear, in My Broadband

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Unleashing digital skills, together

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hello@thecollectivex.org
 

© 2025 The Collective X. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | POPIA

MELISSA ANDREWS

Melissa is the stakeholder manager at The Collective X, dedicated to fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change. She brings over a decade of expertise in strategic information, stakeholder relations and digital transformation. With extensive experience collaborating with government, donors, and local organisations, she has led impactful initiatives across public health and digital sectors. Melissa holds a PhD in Child and Family Studies from the University of the Western Cape and certifications in digital transformation and health management.

ROB URQUHART

Rob leads the impact and evaluation portfolio at The Collective X. With experience spanning research, impact, and evaluation roles at Click Learning and Harambee, Rob brings a deep understanding of social impact and workforce development. He also has a background in management consulting, supporting initiatives both in South Africa and internationally. Rob holds an MA and an MBA from the University of Witwatersrand.

Ziaad Suleman

Chief Commercial Officer, EOH

Ziaad is the Chief Commercial Officer and Member of Exco at EOH, one of the largest technology services companies in Africa, where he is responsible for the overall go-to-market proposition, which includes sales, consulting, channel and OEMs, commercial constructs, investments, solutioning and marketing, as well as the Software Technology Business.

Ziaad is a notable figure in the ICT space. He chairs the South African branch of 4IR on BRICS and leads the ICT 4IR Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) Business Advisory Group, advising the President. His passion for community upliftment is evident through his roles as the independent non-executive chair of Qode, chair of the Parktown Girls Governing Body, non-executive Director of Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa, and Executive Member of D1GIT NPO.

Ziaad holds a postgraduate honours degree in Law with distinction from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an MDP Business Management degree with distinction from the GIBS

Vukani Mngxati

CEO, Accenture Africa

Vukani is the CEO of Accenture Africa, a role that showcases his extensive consulting experience and deep understanding of local markets on the continent. He has dedicated over two decades to leveraging his technical expertise and business acumen to deliver impactful digital solutions for both public and private sector clients. 

In 2019, Vukani was appointed Commissioner for the Presidential Commission on the 4th Industrial Revolution. This role underscores his commitment to advancing digital technologies.

Vukani is deeply invested in assisting clients to achieve the agility needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment. He is a strong advocate for the adoption of emerging digital technologies, believing that these are not just tools for improving service delivery and financial performance but also pivotal in nation-building across the African continent. 

He holds a BCom degree in Business Information Systems and Accounting from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Pieter de Villiers

Co-founder and CEO, Clickatell

Pieter is the co-founder and CEO of Clickatell, a frontrunner in the chat commerce space and the first African company to receive backing from American venture capital firm Sequoia Capital. Under Pieter’s leadership, Clickatell has flourished into a global company with operations spanning multiple continents. 

Pieter has over 23 years of experience in global telecoms, mobile messaging, and mobile payments, 10 of which he spent in Silicon Valley. Apart from his corporate achievements, Pieter is deeply invested in fostering entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic and job growth. He is a business mentor for Endeavour and the founder and chairman of SiMODiSA, an organisation focused on accelerating start-up success for South African entrepreneurs. He is also committed to enhancing digital skills in Africa, which he views as a more significant opportunity than mining or agriculture. 

Pieter has been recognised for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the mobile industry by numerous industry organisations and publications, including Global Technology Business (GTB), which named him one of its “top 40 under 40” executives in 2011, and the San Jose Business Journal, which awarded him its Social Economic Impact Award in 2012. 

Nicola Galombik

Executive Director, Yellowwoods Holdings

Nicola is a business leader and social innovator, driving multi-sector partnerships for systems change and inclusive economic participation.

As Executive Director of Yellowwoods Holdings she leads the investment group’s efforts to drive inclusive and sustainable growth through, and with, its portfolio of businesses. She also leads Yellowwoods’ social innovation hub, impact financing and grant-making. 

Under her leadership, Yellowwoods has incubated a portfolio of African social enterprises, including the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. Other impact focus areas include Impact Sourcing, Inclusive Carbon initiatives and Early Childhood Development.

She is currently active on numerous private sector and social sector boards, a member of the South African Presidential and Ministerial advisory on youth employment and digital skills, and a member of the advisory board of the Africa Leadership Group, the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and a McNulty Prize laureate. She won the Skoll Award in 2019 and the World Economic Forum/Schwab Foundation award for Corporate Social Intrapreneurship in 2020.

Nicola was a Fulbright Scholar and holds a bachelor’s degree in Film, Politics and Psychology from Wits University and a master’s degree in Cinema and Media Studies from New York University. She has also completed the  Leadership for Systems Change programme at Harvard.

Evan Jones

CEO, The Collective X

Evan is the CEO of The Collective X, bringing together leaders of industry to address the critical shortage of digital skills in South Africa.

Evan is leading the charge as the initiative sets to double South Africa’s output of high-demand digital jobs in the next three years while simultaneously enhancing youth digital skills, boosting employment and injecting a substantial R300 billion into the economy.

Evan was previously the Strategy Director of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, where he managed portfolios ranging from digital strategy, new market development, and Harambee’s leadership in priority sectors like globally transacted services. 

He joined Harambee from Webhelp South Africa, a French/UK-based global operator, where he served as COO to rapidly scale the organisation’s South African operations to nearly 2,000 staff. Previously, Evan worked at Discovery Health to transition their North American operation, at TalkTalk (Carphone Warehouse) to manage their contact centre outsourced relationships covering 3,500 staff; and as Director of Operations for Merchants South Africa, managing large-scale outsourced operations across various verticals and geographies. 

Evan also served as chairman of BPESA from Nov 2018 to Oct 2021.

Mteto Nyati

Executive Chairman, BSG

Mteto is the Executive Chairman of BSG, a prominent consulting and technology company focused on strategy execution. He is the chairman of the board of The Collective X. His extensive leadership experience has included roles as Group Chief Executive of Altron, CEO of MTN South Africa, and Managing Director of Microsoft South Africa. He also served in various leadership positions at IBM over a 12-year tenure in South Africa and Europe. Mteto’s exceptional leadership has garnered recognition, winning the EY World Entrepreneur Award Southern Africa in 2021 and CNBC Africa’s All Africa Business Leaders Awards’ Business Leader of the Year in 2019.

Aside from corporate success, Mteto authored the best-selling autobiography “Betting on a Darkie,” recounting his journey from a shopkeeper’s son to a respected business leader. Committed to mentorship, he guides executives, CEOs, and emerging professionals. In 2021, the University of Johannesburg awarded him an honorary doctorate for his contributions to IT Management. Mteto, a World Fellow at Yale University in 2004, holds a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu Natal, reflecting the technical foundation underpinning his business achievements.

Samantha Chetty

Samantha is the Finance Executive for Funder Management at The Collective X. She brings 28 years of financial expertise, with 17 years dedicated to non-profit organisations. She has extensive experience in managing national and international fund/grants, engaging with stakeholders across government and the private sector, and developing financial systems for complex funder reporting. Samantha is skilled in building and empowering both internal teams and external partners to achieve strategic objectives. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Regenesys Business School of South Africa.

Pontso Ntseuoa

Pontso is responsible for University Engagements at The Collective X, bringing over 20 years of diverse experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. She has worked in a number of industries, including development funding, renewable energy, telecoms, and business consulting. Her previous roles include significant contributions at the Industrial Development Corporation and co-founding U-Network Telecoms (UNTEL). She holds a Masters in Digital Business and International Business and Entrepreneurship, amongst other qualifications.

Nkululeko Gama CA (SA)

As the Financial Accountant for The Collective X, Nkululeko plays a key role in maintaining the financial integrity and operational efficiency of the organisation. His responsibilities include assisting with the drafting of business cycle policies, handling various aspects of contracting, processing accounting transactions, reviewing accounting journals, and compiling management accounts. Nkululeko is a chartered accountant registered with SAICA.

Lebohang Mosikili

Lebo’s adept communication and problem-solving abilities are integral to the seamless coordination of the team. In the dynamic tech landscape, Lebo is the indispensable force behind the efficiency, and smooth-running, of The Collective X’s operations.

Jennifer Kann

As the Marketing and Communications Lead for The Collective X, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience from her 25-year career in the field. Beginning her journey as a journalist, she quickly transitioned into a corporate communications specialist. For the last 12 years, her focus has been dedicated to youth employment and related issues, highlighting her commitment to making a meaningful impact in this crucial area.

Hina Soni

Hina is the Programme Manager for The Collective X and plays a pivotal role in driving and enabling technology platforms for the mobilisation of organisation. Her focus extends to partnerships and solutions, which help bridge the digital skills gap and grow the talent pipeline in South Africa. With her qualifications and extensive experience in management consulting, she has worked across industries to deliver customer strategies and innovative technology platforms.

Fran Swart

As the head of Partnerships and Strategic Client Engagements at The Collective X, Fran is deeply invested in addressing unemployment in South Africa. Her role involves creating impactful solutions to bridge the digital skills gap in the country. Through her work, Fran has contributed to the establishment of a national digital skills initiative, coordinating efforts to deliver essential digital skills efficiently and effectively.

Dianne Woodward

With a Bachelor of Commerce degree and over 35 years of experience in human capital management and management consulting, Dianne plays a pivotal role as the System’s Architect leading the establishment and mobilisation of The Collective X. Her extensive background and expertise are instrumental in driving the organisation’s initiatives and growth.

Deidre Samson

Deidre is the Executive for Insights & Strategic Supply Side Partnerships for The Collective X. She brings a rich background in corporate marketing, strategy and innovation, fostered through her experiences in private banking and at a leading multinational alcoholic beverage company. She is a member of several expert panels, including the United Nations Development Programme and Interpol, and also contributes as a faculty member at the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Free State’s MBA Programme.

Evan Jones

Evan is the CEO and a board member of The Collective X. He is leading the initiative’s mission to double South Africa’s output of high-demand digital jobs over the next three years. Under his leadership, The Collective X aims to enhance youth digital skills, boost employment, and contribute a significant R300 billion to the economy.

Charity Phakathi

Charity serves as the Finance Executive for The Collective X. Her responsibilities include overseeing Opex and Sustainability, Governance policies, Financial Modeling, Legal and Contracting, as well as preparing Annual Financial Statements for the entity. She has 30 years of experience in finance, primarily in the corporate and banking sectors. Charity is a Wits Alumni with various qualifications in Financial Accounting and Tax.

Andy Searle

With a rich history in the Global Business Services (GBS) sector, Andy is the founder of Paladin Consulting and former CEO of industry body BPESA (2017-2022). He’s been a part of The Collective X team since 2022, focusing on government relations and fostering partnerships for digital skills development.

Tim Andrews

Tim focuses on Partner Enablement and Funding Innovation at The Collective X, leading initiatives to bridge the digital skills gaps in South Africa. He has worked in corporate finance and private equity and also founded a technology business, taking Google’s Enterprise and cloud solutions to market as a premier partner in South Africa. Tim holds an Honours degree in Investment Management from the University of Johannesburg.