The board of applied energy research organisation the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has appointed of Dr Zwanani Titus Mathe as CEO, with effect from October 1.

Mathe has 18 years of experience to back a decorated academic record and his appointment will set the organisation in good stead to continue fulfilling its vital mandate, the organisation states.

He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering, Howard University, USA (1995); a PhD in Chemical Engineering, UCT (2001); a Masters In Business Leadership, UNISA (2007) as well as a National Higher Diploma in Chemical Engineering and a Certificate in Corporate Governance, SANEDI says.

“The SANEDI board congratulates Dr Mathe on his appointment. He brings a wealth of experience to the institution and its staff. The board pledges its support behind Dr Mathe and calls for the Executives and SANEDI staff to do the same,” SANEDI chairperson Sicelo Xulu comments.

“On behalf of the board and SANEDI, we would like to thank interim CEO Lethabo Manamela for holding the fort and for leading the organisation to achieve significant milestones.

“Dr Mathe holds an excellent background and understanding of public finance management, procurement and will no doubt assist SANEDI in maintaining good governance,” Xulu adds.

Prior to leading critical portfolios at State-owned power utility Eskom, Mathe served as a programme manager for the then SANERI, now SANEDI, from 2007 until 2010. During this time, he established the Hydrogen Economy Awareness Programme & Green Transport Programme. This included the establishment of the Alternative Transport Energy Centre. He is credited for securing industry support for use of Compressed Natural Gas in transport, the institute notes.

At Eskom, Mathe served in numerous GM roles, including for generation engineering; research, testing & development; asset management; group technology and project engineering.

Further, during his tenure at the utility, he established a common vision for Power Plant Engineering, in support of the overall Engineering strategy at Eskom and has ensured broad adoption both internally and externally in strategic areas of his work.

In addition, Mathe championed approval of a business case for the Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute as a programme director and set up a clear strategy for the resourcing of the programme with local and international academic and industry experts.

Mathe’s broad and extensive leadership experience saw him appointed to serve as board member in a number of institutions such as Engineering Council of South Africa, and various academic institutions, SANEDI adds.