| Mozee Khan | |
| Fezile Nqiwa | |
| Boitumelo Lekalakala | |
| Moleboheng Mokhele - Ramulumo | |
| Ayanda Junior Ntombela | |
| Vinolia Direro | |
| Ondela Mlandu | |
| David Jenkins | |
| ibtishaam | |
| Thobile Dlamini | |
| Nomathemba Precious Sigudla | |
| Gerald Mariemuthoo | |
| Lauren Dixon-Paver | |
| Zimkhita Sokanyile | |
| ANTONIO LUCIANO | |
| Emily Ntuli | |
| Mashudu Nemutamvuni | |
| Mei Lee | |
| Vinolia Direro | |
| Botlhale Mokone | |
| Millicent Marule | |
| Mathews Motswi | |
| Kelebone Mofokeng | |
| Darren Meltz | |
| Thandokuhle Msibi | |
| Nqobile Mnisi | |
| Nqobile Gumbi | |
| Yolin Naidoo | |
| Noxolo Msiya | |
| Nozipho Ngcobo |
| Mozee Khan | |
| Fezile Nqiwa | |
| Boitumelo Lekalakala | |
| Moleboheng Mokhele - Ramulumo | |
| Thobile Dlamini | |
| Ayanda Junior Ntombela | |
| Vinolia Direro | |
| Ondela Mlandu | |
| David Jenkins | |
| ibtishaam | |
| Nomathemba Precious Sigudla | |
| Gerald Mariemuthoo | |
| Lauren Dixon-Paver | |
| Zimkhita Sokanyile | |
| ANTONIO LUCIANO | |
| Emily Ntuli | |
| Mashudu Nemutamvuni | |
| Mei Lee | |
| Vinolia Direro | |
| Millicent Marule | |
| Botlhale Mokone | |
| Mathews Motswi | |
| Ketsitseng Kebile | |
| Kelebone Mofokeng | |
| Nothando Mdletshe | |
| Darren Meltz | |
| Thandokuhle Msibi | |
| Nqobile Gumbi | |
| Nqobile Mnisi | |
| Yolin Naidoo |
| Mozee Khan | |
| Fezile Nqiwa | |
| Boitumelo Lekalakala | |
| Moleboheng Mokhele - Ramulumo | |
| Ayanda Junior Ntombela | |
| Vinolia Direro | |
| Thobile Dlamini | |
| Ondela Mlandu | |
| Ondela Mlandu | |
| David Jenkins | |
| ibtishaam | |
| Nomathemba Precious Sigudla | |
| Gerald Mariemuthoo | |
| Lauren Dixon-Paver | |
| Zimkhita Sokanyile | |
| ANTONIO LUCIANO | |
| Emily Ntuli | |
| Mashudu Nemutamvuni | |
| Mei Lee | |
| Vinolia Direro | |
| Botlhale Mokone | |
| Millicent Marule | |
| Mathews Motswi | |
| Kelebone Mofokeng | |
| Ketsitseng Kebile | |
| Darren Meltz | |
| Thandokuhle Msibi | |
| Nqobile Gumbi | |
| Nqobile Mnisi | |
| Yolin Naidoo |
| Amanda Gebra Nkoe | |
| I consider the future of the business when making decisions | Consistently |
| I have ideas for improving the business or our solutions | Consistently |
| I respectfully question how we do things to make improvements | Often |
| I speak to colleagues to obtain their expertise and perspectives | Consistently |
| I use my initiative and am not afraid to get involved in solving issues | Consistently |
| I am a pioneer and encourage others to find new and better ways of working | Consistently |
| I invite people with different views to co-develop solutions to problems | Consistently |
| I recognise and reward creativity | Consistently |
| I work with others to turn my best ideas into reality | Consistently |
| I look for ways to use technology to improve the business | Often |
Please provide examples of how you have shown vision and the ability to innovate in your career (Approx 100-300 words) | |
| Strategic Vision: From Reactive to Predictive Maintenance My vision for South Africa’s rail infrastructure is centred on transitioning from traditional, labour-intensive maintenance to a data-driven, predictive asset management model. Recognising the limitations of manual tracking, I pioneered the integration of SAP System RR3 and Microsoft Project to create a centralised planning hub. This shift allowed me to critically analyse maintenance backlogs and implement joint, multidisciplinary shutdowns as a catch-up strategy months before potential asset failure. This proactive foresight resulted in a 38.2% reduction in unplanned maintenance-related delays during the 2024/25 financial year. Technical Innovation: Resilience in High-Risk Environments I have consistently applied innovative engineering solutions to restore and protect critical infrastructure. During a R40 million washaway recovery project, I did not merely restore the track to its previous state. I led a complex restoration that integrated enhanced technical resilience to prevent future failures. My ability to manage a R192 million track rehabilitation program while concurrently overseeing multidisciplinary teams of 400 employees demonstrates my capacity to innovate within large-scale, high-stakes operational environments. Innovation in Leadership and Sustainability Innovation also extends to how we manage human and financial capital during austerity. I developed long-term maintenance strategies that optimized resources despite significant budget cuts, maintaining 72.3% of planned interventions through meticulous joint execution plans with partners like PRASA. Furthermore, I have innovated the "social architecture" of the depot by establishing safety symposiums and level crossing awareness walkabouts, ensuring that technical compliance is integrated with community safety and stakeholder engagement. Awards and Continuous learning Recognised as Best Employee of the Year (2024) for leadership and contributions. Two-time finalist in the Standard Bank Top Women Awards 2025 as a Top Women Leader in STEM and a Top Women Young Achiever. Pursuing an MEng in Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Maintenance & Management, with strong technical knowledge in civil infrastructure development and maintenance. Holds rail engineering and management short courses in Infrastructure Maintenance & Asset Management, project & Contract Management (NEC3, Lean Six Sigma), Risk & Compliance, Continuous Improvement & Financial Management, Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement, and High-Risk Maintenance Strategy from the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria. |
About Rising Star
The Rising Star Programme, operated by BlackBark Productions, has been established for the purposes of recognising, celebrating and connecting young talented people who have a capacity for achievement and success and who contribute in an inspirational manner to the future of our nation. The qualities that elevate Rising Stars to the top go beyond performance and technical excellence. Rising Stars are polished, brilliant individuals with tremendous promise and great talent who excel for reasons that go far beyond their technical abilities alone.
Talented people make things happen, are highly committed to achieving goals, innovate very rapidly, and create a great deal of value (for companies and/or themselves) when their talent is spotted and harnessed.
The Programme aims to be a significant and sustainable vehicle through which organisations, our country and our continent can identify and nurture these “organisational and national assets” who are set to play a key role in shaping the future of our country and our continent.
The Rising Star Programme is establishing a living community of young African talent that will be developed, mentored and provided with platforms for development and communication, therefore enabling them to become role models, opinion leaders and the inspiration for other future African Talent.