Category: DaVinci Alumni

The DaVinci Institute Alumni Association is dedicated to co-creating with, and fostering connections between, our alumni community, ensuring alumni stay connected and continue with life-long learning.

DaVinci Alumnus in the Spotlight: Dr Henk van Rensburg
Introducing Dr Henk van Rensburg, a recent graduate of DaVinci’s doctoral programme (class of 2023). In this interview, Dr van Rensburg shares insights into his academic journey and its profound impact on his perspective.
Da Vinci Alumnus in the Spotlight: Dr. Henk van Rensburg
Please give us a brief overview of your career to date.
My career spans 36 years in the fields of information systems delivery, project and programme management, and consulting in both public and private sector environments. The bulk of my career is in the public sector as a programme manager assigned to the delivery of several information technology-enabled enterprise transformation programmes. In addition to the practical delivery of programmes in the South African context, I also gained international exposure with a two-year assignment at a multinational space agency in Europe.
You are a recent Doctoral graduate of DaVinci Business School. Please provide us with a blurb on the purpose of your research and its contribution.
The research investigated the lived experiences of programme managers responsible for information technology-enabled enterprise transformation programmes in the public sector in South Africa. It highlights some of the factors that influence programme managers in their day-to-day engagement with their work, stakeholders, and work environment. The research proposes policy considerations and practical measures for public sector entities to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall lived experience of programme managers.
The research results are also valuable to public sector service providers who wish to understand some of the dynamics associated with, and complexities involved in, the programme management of enterprise transformation programmes in the public sector.

In a few words, kindly describe your journey to completing your Doctoral qualification.
The journey towards my Doctoral degree saw many detours and, at times, there were long stopovers whilst dealing with the realities of life. When the actual study commenced, the demands of balancing work, homelife and studying were challenging – but with the support of my family, colleagues, friends and supervisor, the journey was successfully completed.
The first two years of my actual Doctoral journey were spent in academic reintroduction, following which the research process commenced. The data gathering process was concluded prior to the COVID-19 lockdown period, with the balance of the data analysis, coding, literature study and actual write-up of the results being completed during the lockdown. The submission of the thesis for external examination coincided with the last constraints of the lockdown period being lifted – it “emerged” in the same timeframe when our society was opened following the pandemic.
The examination process was lengthy, culminating in a successful oral defence. All-in-all an eventful, sometimes frustrating, but fulfilling journey thus. The study itself nearly faltered due to externally induced and unanticipated events that had to be overcome – some of these challenges include changing the research methodology from Action Research to Grounded Theory, responding to the withdrawal of my original supervisor, experiencing blockages to access public sector organisations and their programme managers, as well as having to work within the confines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was that it took a little longer than originally anticipated.
What would you say your three greatest attributes or characteristics are as a person that aided you on your journey?
I credit my commitment, perseverance, and the fact that I pay immense attention to detail.
How did your journey impact your way of thinking and (or) life?
My thinking has been broadened with the exposure to new philosophical concepts and approaches, the beauty of Systems Thinking, and the personal journey with, and insight into, people’s lived experiences of a highly complex situation or circumstance. My life is greatly enriched with the achievement of having concluded this journey – it is a long-standing dream that was realised, it illuminated the strengths that I have hidden over time, it exposed a couple of developmental areas, and is an affirmation of the value of perseverance and hard work.
What is next for you on your path of thriving in remarkability?
After this long journey, the first stop is to take a breather… I would be privileged to share the results of my work with my employer – there’s much to be done to improve our organisation’s engagement with programme managers, thereby increasing the chances of even better delivery of our own enterprise transformation programmes. Furthermore, the opportunity must be developed to share the results of the research with interested stakeholders in the broader public and private sectors – government departments, public sector agencies, service providers, and programme management professional bodies.
If you could give advice to a student embarking on this journey, what would it be?
Engage your journey with commitment, be open to new experiences and embrace the process. Unforeseen challenges can be overcome with anticipation and perseverance. Sometimes you must take a step back to reframe, but then continue with renewed energy. Build a productive relationship with your supervisor, and leverage the resources availed by The DaVinci Institute.
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June 1, 2023
Alum David Sebiloane: Making A Difference
Meet The DaVinci Institute’s Master’s Alumnus, David Sebiloane who is engaging us about his path to remarkability.
David Sebiloane.
David Sebiloane exudes a sense of confidence, and the self-awareness about the direction towards which he is moving is palpable. He is a certified Project Management Practitioner. With his excellent business acumen, David likens himself to a delivery agent by experience. He has worked in the academic, energy, petrochemical and logistics sectors – industries in which he successfully led teams in the execution of strategic projects and programmes.
With a scholarly bent of mind, David is a Master’s degree graduate of The DaVinci Institute (class of 2022). His dissertation, entitled: Managing cross-border project teams: The case of Transnet SOC Ltd and Eswatini Railways, explores ways that cultural differences and communication influence project management of a cross-border project. The study attempted to make significant contributions to both academia and practice. In the main, this study found that cultural differences certainly have an impact on communication, which in turn may influence various project management functions such as negotiations, allocation of tasks, team building, conflict resolutions and other processes. Moreover, David’s study recommends that management should adopt a proactive and culturally sensitive approach to the management of a cross-border project in order to ensure its success.
Through focus and the knowledge of the end goal, David holds that his was a journey of tenacity, hard work and passion. “The journey to completing this qualification was exciting and challenging. The modules were designed in a way that challenged my view of the status quo and what I knew to be the norm. The interactions forced one to think out of the box and to be innovative. On the other hand, the research journey was challenging as the supervisor fostered a pioneering approach in dealing with the identified research problem”, says David.
Concurrently, David’s way of thinking was, as he asserts, “altered greatly as the modules introduced a systems’ thinking in my persona which was impactful to my personal life as well. Furthermore, my outlook and execution approach in the programme I am currently running was also positively impacted.” David’s advice to a student embarking on this journey is that they should keep an open mind, work hard and persevere even when the going gets tough.
March 16, 2023
From Social Work To Sports Coaching – Anneline Lewies’ Journey At DaVinci
At The DaVinci Institute, we pride ourselves on transforming leaders to think and contribute to the society we live in. Our Master of Management in Technology and Innovation alumna, Anneline Lewies’s career is a remarkable example of how skills from one profession can enrich another. Beginning her professional journey as a social worker, she developed the ability to grasp complex information, assess situations with empathy, and resolve conflicts through both logic and compassion. These qualities laid the foundation for her later success in sports coaching and leadership.
Lewies possesses good interpersonal skills, excellent team work, and is very willing to learn and develop new skills.
“My experience as a social worker contributed to my ability to communicate well with people from all occupations. These attributes became invaluable as I transitioned into sport, where I have thrived as both a coach and a coach developer,” stated Lewies.
Netball at the Core
Anneline Lewies.
Sport has always been central to Lewies’s life. Although she participated in many sporting codes, netball captured her heart. A former player and South African umpire, she began coaching in 1984 and went on to coach across all four coaching domains: children, adults, talent, and high performance. Along the way, she also developed her leadership skills within Netball South Africa, where she served as an administrator and district leader.
Her professional growth accelerated when she completed an intensive coach developer training programme through the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). By 2014, she had qualified as a facilitator, assessor, and moderator, becoming part of the South African Coaching Framework. This formal grounding, combined with her passion, cemented her influence in the world of coaching.
Her election as an executive director at Netball South Africa marked a turning point. That role introduced Lewies to the pathways of coaching development, and it struck a chord with her to train and develop coaches.
“I went on to serve as Director of Coaching at Netball South Africa from 2011 to 2021 and now contribute as Vice-Chairperson of the South African Sports Coaching Association (SASCA),” she recalls.
Beyond Netball
Anneline’s impact has extended far beyond netball. She has collaborated with Tennis SA, Lifesaving SA, Cricket SA, Wrestling SA, SAFA, Athletics South Africa, and Swim South Africa, providing expertise in training, strategy, and consultation. Internationally, she has supported coaching development in Namibia and Kenya, even helping Namibia establish a national coaching system.
Her coaching has also produced results at the highest level; with athletes she mentored going on to represent South Africa in global championships. In addition, she serves as an educator at the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, reinforcing her commitment to ethical and values-driven leadership in sport.
Service and Leadership
Anneline’s leadership is not confined to sport. She has been a servant leader on several boards and committees dealing with child protection and welfare. These include coordinating provincial action plans for children in difficult circumstances, serving on child abuse liaison committees, and contributing to Gauteng’s child protection and treatment protocols. Her ability to serve in such diverse spheres reflects her deep sense of responsibility and transdisciplinary influence.
A Scholar at DaVinci
True to her philosophy of lifelong learning, Lewies seized the opportunity to study at The DaVinci Institute. Over five years, she embarked on what she describes as “a journey of finding myself and of living my dreams, but also inspiring others to pursue theirs.”
Through the DaVinci TIPS™ Model, she identified her niche helping other coaches harness their talents and passions to benefit athletes and communities. Her dissertation, Transformation of Elite Women Coaches within the South African Netball Context, underscored her conviction that elite coaching is not accidental.
According to Lewies, to become an elite women’s coach does not happen by default.
“Elite status must be earned through a culture and environment of being truly elite. She highlights the importance of coaching education, experience, continuous learning, and a growth mindset in overcoming barriers and reaching coaching excellence,” she stated.
Leading Through Change
Lewies’s leadership was especially evaluated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than letting challenges derail her work, she embraced the opportunity to adapt. She and her community of coaches, from grassroots to high performance, remained focused on growth and innovation.
“In serving not only the netball community during this time, but I was also able to reach out to other sports codes, helping them to pursue their dreams,” she explains.
Her vision of leadership is grounded in collaboration and innovation. She believes we should co-create meaning and add value to our working environment, involve people in conversations, engage in networks of culture, trust, and knowledge, promote experimentation, and celebrate accomplishments.
Towards a Global Vision
Looking ahead, Lewies envisions leaders as compassionate, ethical, and responsible global citizens who are also digitally adept. For her, the future of leadership lies in the ability to balance present realities with lessons from the past and possibilities for the future.
Her story is not only one of personal achievement but also of collective empowerment. From social work to sports coaching, from grassroots initiatives to international consulting, she exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, empathy, and vision. Her journey continues to inspire others to find their niche, embrace learning, and turn challenges into opportunities.
March 9, 2023