Dr Vuyile Mbatha is a globally experienced transformation catalyst and leadership expert, with over 20 years of strategic impact across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Renowned for her work in executive development, talent strategy, and organisational culture, she has led transformational programmes within multinational powerhouses such as Microsoft, Nokia, Vodacom, MultiChoice, and the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Her expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB), paired with a strong background in leadership development, positions her as a force for sustainable change in complex, multicultural organisations.
As a KSTR Group board member, Dr Mbatha brings a powerful blend of strategic foresight, people-centeredtransformation, and global best practice to drive inclusive growth and institutional excellence. Her academic pedigree, anchored by a PhD in Business Management & Leadership, an MBA (cum laude), and ongoing doctoral research at Hult International Business School, is complemented by executive training from top-tier institutions such as Stanford, INSEAD, and Wharton. She adds immense value to our board’s ability to foster high-performance cultures, embed ethical leadership, and lead transformative initiatives that deliver measurable social and economic impact.
Dr. Itumeleng Makae is a governance expert with over 14 years of experience in trade, public and economic policy affairs. In his current role, he is instrumental in aligning national economic frameworks with continental priorities. His extensive background in multilateral and bilateral negotiations, and stakeholder engagement, developed over a decade at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, positions him as a strategic thinker and trusted advisor on institutional integrity, development and economic policy reform.
On the KSTR Group board, Dr. Makae brings rigorous governance insight, risk management acumen, and a strong ethical compass to support responsible growth. His deep understanding of public-private sector dynamics enhances our ability to structure compliant, scalable partnerships, especially where impact funding, trade, and economic development intersect.
His academic grounding, including a PhD from the WITS Business School, and advanced multidisciplinary training in policy and management, further strengthens our board’s capacity to deliver on strategic oversight, regulatory alignment, and long-term sustainability.
Dr Mzwakhe Dlamini is a distinguished entrepreneurship expert and strategic advisor with over three decades of leadership experience across the logistics, petroleum, FMCG, and supply chain sectors. As Managing Member of JOSC Logistics and a former senior executive at Engen, Vector Logistics, and Nampak Tissue, he has consistently driven operational excellence and commercial growth. His track record in building scalable businesses and leading high-performing teams reflects a practical, results-oriented mindset grounded in deep entrepreneurial insight.
On the KSTR Group board, Dr Dlamini brings unmatched expertise in enterprise development, business innovation, and value creation. His academic foundation, including a PhD in Entrepreneurship from the University of Pretoria, an MPhil in Corporate Entrepreneurship, and a BTech in Business Administration, enables him to bridge theory and practice with ease. Passionate about supporting SMEs and inclusive economic growth, he plays a key role in shaping our incubation strategy, guiding entrepreneurial ecosystems, and fostering sustainable, opportunity-driven impact.
Dr Mzwakhe Dlamini is a distinguished entrepreneurship expert and strategic advisor with over three decades of leadership experience across the logistics, petroleum, FMCG, and supply chain sectors. As Managing Member of JOSC Logistics and a former senior executive at Engen, Vector Logistics, and Nampak Tissue, he has consistently driven operational excellence and commercial growth. His track record in building scalable businesses and leading high-performing teams reflects a practical, results-oriented mindset grounded in deep entrepreneurial insight.
On the KSTR Group board, Dr Dlamini brings unmatched expertise in enterprise development, business innovation, and value creation. His academic foundation, including a PhD in Entrepreneurship from the University of Pretoria, an MPhil in Corporate Entrepreneurship, and a BTech in Business Administration, enables him to bridge theory and practice with ease. Passionate about supporting SMEs and inclusive economic growth, he plays a key role in shaping our incubation strategy, guiding entrepreneurial ecosystems, and fostering sustainable, opportunity-driven impact.
Kagiso Rakobela is a visionary social impact catalyst and dynamic leader with over 15 years of experience in business management, enterprise support, and social entrepreneurship. As Group CEO of KSTR Group, he spearheads innovative strategies that drive job creation, SME acceleration, and community transformation. His foundation in military service brings operational discipline and resilience, while his academic journey, including an MBA and an ongoing Doctorate in Business Management, fuels his ability to lead with both rigour and empathy.
Kagiso’s impact extends beyond business into national advocacy, serving as an Office Bearer of the South African National Security Employers’ Association (SANSEA), where he champions workforce development and ethical governance. His leadership at KSTR Group reflects a bold commitment to reimagining enterprise as a tool for social justice, merging profitability with purpose. On the board, Kagiso provides future-focused vision, systems-level thinking, and a deep dedication to building inclusive, sustainable ecosystems that deliver measurable impact across South Africa.
Kagiso Rakobela is a visionary social impact catalyst and dynamic leader with over 15 years of experience in business management, enterprise support, and social entrepreneurship. As Group CEO of KSTR Group, he spearheads innovative strategies that drive job creation, SME acceleration, and community transformation. His foundation in military service brings operational discipline and resilience, while his academic journey, including an MBA and an ongoing Doctorate in Business Management, fuels his ability to lead with both rigour and empathy.
Kagiso’s impact extends beyond business into national advocacy, serving as an Office Bearer of the South African National Security Employers’ Association (SANSEA), where he champions workforce development and ethical governance. His leadership at KSTR Group reflects a bold commitment to reimagining enterprise as a tool for social justice, merging profitability with purpose. On the board, Kagiso provides future-focused vision, systems-level thinking, and a deep dedication to building inclusive, sustainable ecosystems that deliver measurable impact across South Africa.
Visionary leader and trusted board advisor. Vannie Pillay brings 20+ years of executive expertise in organizational strategy, stakeholder engagement, and social impact. As a seasoned CEO (Oaktree People Solutions) she has a proven track record of aligning business objectives with transformative community initiatives, from enterprise development programs to large-scale CSR campaigns that created hundreds of jobs and upskilled marginalized groups.
Vannie’s leadership ensures funder confidence through rigorous governance, measurable outcomes, and a passion for sustainable change. Her strengths in talent development, diversity & inclusion, and strategic partnerships directly support KSTR Group’s mission. With an MBA (Henley) and background in industrial psychology, she combines analytical rigor with deep empathy to drive the KSTR Group’s growth while amplifying its impact on people, SMEs, and ecosystems. Under her guidance, KSTR Group advances as a model of operational excellence and purpose-driven leadership.
Sean Zimunya is a visionary leadership and wellbeing strategist with over 15 years of experience driving organisational transformation through executive coaching, wellness innovation, and leadership development. With a foundation in clinical social work and a robust portfolio in corporate wellness, Sean has advised public and private institutions on building resilient, high-performance teams. His work spans leadership capacity building, organisational culture change, and strategic learning, all grounded in a people-first philosophy that aligns with KSTR Group’s approach to social impact.
As KSTR Group’s HCAP (Holistic Competence-Advancement Programme) Lead, Sean brings deep insight into human behaviour, team dynamics, and inclusive leadership. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work, he combines academic depth with hands-on facilitation expertise to drive real transformation across our SME and leadership programmes. His extensive background in psychotherapy, mental health advocacy, and executive development ensures that the human element remains central to our mission, empowering people to lead, grow, and thrive in both business and society.
Francinette is a strategic finance professional with deep expertise in financial management, compliance, and resource optimisation across the development and private sectors. With a strong foundation in both operational and strategic finance, she leads the financial stewardship of KSTR Group, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with both regulatory standards and social impact goals. Her proficiency in budgeting, reporting, and donor fund management helps drive confidence among stakeholders and supports long-term sustainability.
As Finance Lead, Francinette plays a pivotal role in embedding financial discipline into the heart of KSTR Group’s incubation, enterprise development, and philanthropic initiatives. Her analytical acumen, governance orientation, and hands-on approach contribute directly to effective impact measurement, resource deployment, and organisational resilience. She brings a calm, solutions-driven presence, helping bridge the gap between purpose and performance with a keen eye on risk, value, and mission-driven growth
Advocate Miliswa Mokoteli is a powerful legal mind and transformation strategist whose 20-year career bridges law, education, healthcare, and social entrepreneurship. As the founder of Her Voice International and Atamelang Training Academy, she has built a legacy of empowering women and youth through legal literacy, vocational training, and mentorship. Her strategic yet compassionate leadership directly aligns with KSTR Group’s mission to drive inclusive development and social justice from the ground up.
At KSTR Group, Adv. Mokoteli serves as our “legal eye,” ensuring robust governance, ethical compliance, and legally sound execution across programmes and partnerships. Her prior roles as Legal Advisor to the Department of Health and Head of Hospital Administration underscore her expertise in policy, operational systems, and risk management. Her signature “G-R-O-W” framework — Gather, Reimagine, Optimize, Work — informs her holistic approach to transformation. A certified project manager, speaker, and author, Miliswa helps amplify KSTR Group’s legal and social voice in the ecosystem of change.
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