The South African School for Digital Policy, Community Networks edition, is being held from 12 to 16 April in Johannesburg.
Meet the bios of the fellows that are part of it here:
Claire Dehosse
Claire is an Associate at ALT Advisory. Claire holds B.A and LLB degrees from Stellenbosch University, an LLM in Environmental Law from the University of Cape Town, and a Certificate in Competition Law at the University of Witwatersrand. Claire is an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa and a member of the Legal Practice Council. Claire has worked across a wide range of public interest and policy areas, including advisory work on digital rights, climate justice, and children’s rights. Her experience spans policy development, multi-country research, developing capacity building strategies, conducting various trainings, and the development of judicial and thematic reports for domestic, regional and international bodies. Claire is also an Associate at Power Law Africa, where she has experience in strategic litigation in the advancement of human rights in the Constitutional Court, various High Courts, the Equality Court, and the Competition Tribunal of South Africa.
Dominic Cull
Dominic has extensive experience in advising on the commercial and regulatory aspects of new technology, broadcasting, and electronic communications ventures for local and international companies and policy and regulation in the ICT and telecommunications sectors, having spent 20 years advising the public and private sector on ICT legal issues.
Dominic is involved at all stages of the communications law and regulation-making process and liaises closely with, inter alia, the Independant Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the Department of Communications and Digital Technoligies (DCDT), the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, SAPS Cybercrime Division, National Gambling Board and the Film and Publications Board on an ongoing basis.
Clients include multinationals and industry associations with extensive contributions to the development of policy and laws at national and local government level in the area of electronic communications and infrastructure deployment.
Dominic holds a B.Bus.Sci, an LLB, and an LLM in Information Communication Technology.
Izak Minnaar
Izak Minnaar is a digital rights, journalism, media and elections consultant and trainer working as a free agent with a range of organisations in South Africa and globally.
Janine King
Born 08 feb1979, matriculated in 1996. She paid for a one-year Secretarial diploma by working after lessons at a TAB in Maraisburg, Johannesburg, this taught her to be responsible with her finances and not to be lazy to put in the work and to pay her own tuition instead of waiting for a handout. Janine started a full-time job at Nedbank Limited in switchboard department as a switchboard operator in 1998, this job is where she learned how nice, rude, polite and impolite people/customers can be, it also taught her how to deal with different types of people and how to problem solve. Janine did not stay in one department but explored admin divisions within the bank as well as in the Nedbank Marketing department where she was employed as a marketing secretary in the year 2000. Here she learned the etiquette of communication in the workplace via email etc. She also learned how to plan events and make sure that everything works out perfectly in the end, as well as crisis management. In the year 2001 the itch for more money started awaking her want for more. In 2001 Janine resigned from Nedbank and applied with a Temp Agency, this is when a position as a data capture clerk at NHLS (National Health Laboratory Service) opened and she was hired, learning data capturing, receipting and matching of orders to invoices and at the same time working weekends as a waitress at Turn n Tender on her off days. She applied for a permanent position in the Reconciliation department which she got and made sure paperwork was all in order, queries were sorted and reconciliations were done before submitting it for payments. In 2008 Janine was granted the position of Accounts Payable Supervisor overseeing data capturers as well as reconciliation clerks. The supervisor position was until 2011 when she resigned to re-allocate to the Eastern Cape. This is where JUS Technologies was started by her husband and herself. JUS was established using the first names of Janine, Uriel her first born and Sean (husband).
Kathleen Diga
Kathleen has worked for over 15 years in the information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) research and civil society space. She is currently programme manager for the Association for Progressive Communications’ local access programme. This programme hosts the Local Networks (LocNet) initiative which facilitates learning and exchange amongst community-centred connectivity projects and persons based in the global South. She provides administrative oversight, overall coordination, strategic direction and monitoring, evaluation and learning functions. In her previous work, she helped to coordinate global and regional research teams and individuals around conference participation and research outputs. Her main focus of PhD research was concluded in 2020, in understanding the changing ICT asset portfolio within households in South Africa and how these items are contributing to well-being and wealth changes, particularly among the marginalised.
Kgwarishi Malatji
Kgwarishi Malatji is a telecommunications and geospatial technology professional with a BSc in Geomatics and an MSc from the University of Cape Town. He has strong expertise in network engineering, wireless networking, MikroTik routing and configuration, RF hardware procurement and testing (2–5 GHz), network authentication systems, and solar backup power solution design and installation. Over the past six years, he has operated a large-scale community network focused on informal settlements and townships to help bridge the digital divide, managing infrastructure that supports more than 70,000 unique devices per month on a public Wi-Fi network and over 300 home internet clients. His work focuses on building resilient and accessible connectivity systems that expand digital access in underserved communities.
In addition to operating network infrastructure, Kgwarishi has contributed to technical training and capacity development in the community networking sector. He developed and facilitated the technical curriculum for the School of Community Networks South Africa, helping train emerging network operators and technicians. He also holds a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) certification from the Vaal University of Technology, strengthening his practical expertise in wireless broadband deployment and management. Combining his background in geomatics, telecommunications, and community network development, Kgwarishi works at the intersection of connectivity infrastructure, spatial technologies, and digital inclusion initiatives aimed at expanding reliable internet access to underserved areas.
Lungelo Mtwa
Lungelo Mtwa is co-founder of Amadiba Community Network (ACN), based in Amadiba, under Bizana town, in the rural Eastern Cape. He founded the ACN with his fellow team in 2021. As a passionate advocate for community connection and growth, Lungelo helps shape ACN's vision and strategy.
He also has a background in advocacy, sustainable development and film making.
Phenyo Sekati
Phenyo Sekati (they/them) is a Candidate Legal Practitioner at Power & Associates. Phenyo completed their BCom Law and LL.B at the University of Pretoria and also holds an LL.M degree in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa from the Centre for Human Rights (CHR), based in the University of Pretoria. Whilst pursuing their LL.M degree, Phenyo interned at the Kenyan Human Rights Commission and worked as a research assistant at the CHR’s Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit. Phenyo worked as a Tech Rights Fellow at ALT Advisory, a public interest advisory firm associated with Power & Associates. Thereafter, they clerked at the Constitutional Court of South Africa with Justice Steven Majiedt.
Phenyo’s interests lie in digital rights advocacy, equality, inclusion, and child law, and public international and regional law. They are particularly interested in the intersection of online harms, especially as it affects vulnerable communities. Phenyo is passionate about promoting the digital rights and inclusion of children, womxn, gender diverse, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Pinkie Ngcobelo-Malothana
My name is Pinkie Ngcobelo-Malothana, a woman in tech.I've excelled in achieving accredited certificate and qualifying fully, I've developed problem-solving skills, enabling me to work independently and lead installations lead teams, oversee daily operations, and provide comprehension reports. Collaboration with my colleagues including Mr Krwarishi Malatji, has been instrumental in my growth I'm proud to contribute to ZASDIP and look forward to continue success "
Rebecca Ryakitimbo
Rebecca Ryakitimbo is a feminist technologist, researcher and community
leader at the nexus of artificial intelligence, language data, gender justice and digital equity. She has held fellowships with Google, Mozilla and the Internet Society, and is a National Geographic Society Explorer. Rebecca was part of the Kondoa Community Network, where she designed governance models and trained women technicians to close gender gaps in connectivity. As a National Geographic Explorer, she founded the CommunityBased Wildlife Network to mitigate human-wildlife conflict through locally driven monitoring and coexistence strategies. Rebecca supports the African Women School of AI and curates the Gendering AI conference, creating spaces for feminist, decolonial and community rooted conversations on the future of technology. As part of LocNet, she facilitates emerging communities of practice, supports research on community-centred connectivity and local services, and documents best practices for equitable, locally led digital ecosystems."
Saba Zahara HoneyBush
Saba Zahara HoneyBush is a Social Impact Communications Specialist, Creative Director, Curator, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Founder of the HoneyBush Healing Arts Platform, working at the intersection of culture, technology, and community development. With an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship obtained from the Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) in Switzerland, and experience including certifications spanning Digital Marketing, Cloud Engineering, Education, Film, Batik Design, #1000WomenInDesign, the Practical Application of Statistics in the Cultural and Creative Industries, Global Press Reporting, Cyber Security Analysis and Public Arts Strategy, she supports initiatives across the Global South that centre cultural resilience, inclusive innovation, and environmental justice, including working with children to paint murals in public spaces.
She has led Communications Strategy for interesting work initiatives as a consultant with the Consortium to Promote Human Rights, Civic Freedoms and Media Development (CHARM), Rural Women’s Assembly | TCOE (Trust for Community Outreach and Education), Cape Town TV to mention a few. Awarded for: Best Overall Business Pitch and Presentation voted by the audience for the 2019 Future Cities Hackathon, an impact-oriented event utilising Cape Town as a laboratory to address pressing issues related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation, SDG 11: Life Below Water, and SDG 14: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
She currently serves on the board of the Artscape Theatre Centre, VACSA (Visual Arts Cluster of South Africa) and the Botanical Society of South Africa, she forms part of the ICT Network Managers in Indigenous and Rural Communities in the Africa Region 2025–2026, graduating from the fifth generation of the programme representing 19 countries across Africa. This programme is made possible through the joint efforts of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Rhizomatica, AFRALTI, TandaNet, and the Internet Society. A member of She Code Africa (SCA), a community dedicated to celebrating and empowering young girls and women in technology across the African continent. She is currently completing a second Masters in Integrative Eco Social Design, reflecting that at heart she is a committed environmentalist.
Samkelo Mkhwazeni
Samkelo Mkhwazeni is a dedicated professional with a strong passion for community networking and digital inclusion. With experience working with Zenzeleni, Samkelo has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at expanding connectivity and promoting digital literacy in rural and underserved communities.
Driven by a commitment to social impact, Samkelo’s interests lie in leveraging technology to support community development and foster collaborative partnerships. He is deeply committed to empowering communities through innovative solutions that enable inclusive and sustainable growth.
Sean King
Sean King is an IT and Network Engineer with 23 years of experience in ICT. Throughout his career, he has excelled in Building Systems, Process design, building networks and Problem Solving in multiple roles and positions, achieving being part of small team to build stockbroker IT infrastructure from ground up, Integrated Stockbroker into International bank, Built an ISP from Ground up with no external funding among many other accomplishments. With strong skills in Business Management, Disaster management and Client Relationships, Sean King continues to make a significant impact in their field.
Sean King earned his certificate from Eselin Park, an Internship at IBM and has completed specialized training in MCSC Microsoft, Mcafee security expert, Trading Platforms among a few others. He has worked with notable brands such as Comsol, Internet Solutions and Vox, helping them achieve Project Roll out and Maintenance.
Outside of work, Sean King enjoys Fishing, Beach Days and Music. He finds inspiration in Creating an equal ICT environment for the previously disadvantaged communities and creating ecosystems and communities where everybody is treated equally and fairly
Sophie Smit
Sophie is an Associate at ALT Advisory, currently awaiting admission as an attorney. She holds a B.A. and LL.B. degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as an LL.M. in Human Rights, Advocacy and Litigation. Before joining ALT Advisory, Sophie worked as a legal researcher at the Helen Suzman Foundation, where she spent four years conducting research and preparing submissions on a range of public law matters, with a particular focus on administrative and constitutional law. Sophie’s work spans human rights litigation, research, and advocacy, with a particular focus on information integrity, digital rights, and the protection of vulnerable and marginalised groups. Her practice engages with the legal and policy challenges arising at the intersection of technology, freedom of expression, and access to justice, including the safety of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in digital spaces. She has contributed to strategic litigation, research, and convening processes aimed at strengthening democratic accountability, advancing substantive equality, and promoting inclusive, rights-based approaches to social cohesion. Sophie has gained experience across a range of matters, including gender-based violence, media viability, migration, and constitutional and administrative law, and regularly engages in public-facing legal education and advocacy initiatives.
Tina Power
Tina is an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa and a Director at ALT Advisory. She specialises in human rights advocacy, research, and training, with a focus on public law, access to justice, and online safety. Her work spans research, policy reform, law reform, and litigation to advance the application of rights in the digital age. She has worked on issue pertaining to access, digital literacy, safety, and the responsibilities of both government and the private sector in advancing rights both on and offline. Her litigation and policy work have touched on the intersection of technology and elections, online safety, and the evolving understanding of privacy and participation. She also works with CSOs to develop strategies to strengthen empowerment and agency for individuals and communities navigating the online world.
Uyanda Siyotula
Uyanda is the National Coordinator at the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, a member-based civil society formation representing a broad constituency committed to the strengthening and advancement of public service media (PSM) and access to public service content, in the public interest.
She is a media professional with a background in journalism, media studies and public relations. She holds a post-graduate qualification from the University of Witwatersrand. She has experience in lecturing at a higher education institution and civil society.
Uyanda has participated in conferences, roundtable discussions locally and internationally, advancing discussions on the independence and sustainability of public service media as well as universal access to public service content.
Yumna Panday
Yumna Panday serves as General Manager at Zenzeleni Community Networks. Since joining Zenzeleni in 2019, she coordinates connectivity projects in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa’s most underserved province. Her work focuses on the practical aspects of bringing affordable and reliable connectivity and access to meaningful information through initiatives such as the Mankosi Solar Community Hub.
Since May 2025, Panday represents Zenzeleni Networks NPC as the Association for Progressive Local Networks (LocNet) National Coordinator for South Africa. In her role at Zenzeleni, she works with community members, traditional authorities, funders, and partner organizations to develop connectivity solutions that meet regulatory standards while addressing local needs.
Prior to joining Zenzeleni, Panday worked in operations and coordination across different sectors.
Beyond her core responsibilities, Panday pursues professional development through courses in monitoring and evaluation, social entrepreneurship, and AI for operations.