Our Discipline Leads
Meet the experts shaping our academic direction. Our Discipline Leads bring deep expertise and forward-thinking insights to ensure each programme remains relevant, rigorous, and impactful in today’s dynamic world. Explore their diverse expertise and visionary contributions on this dedicated page, and discover how their leadership drives academic and professional excellence.
Dr Samuel Kareithi
Discipline Lead: Leadership Perspectives: A Global Leadership Challenge
Dr Samuel Kareithi brings in a wealth of knowledge to the team. He holds a PhD in Development Economics from the University of Bedfordshire (UK), a Master’s in Development Studies from the University of Bath (UK), and a BA Honours in Economics from Egerton University in Kenya. As Country Director at Gatsby Africa, he guides programmes focused on inclusive, resilient growth through sector research and stakeholder collaboration. With deep expertise in policy, trade, and development, Dr Kareithi leads with systems thinking and clarity. His work is thoughtful, intentional, and grounded in African transformation through evidence-based practice.
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Dr Ntokozo Mahlangu
Discipline Lead: Corporate Governance & Ethics
Dr Mahlangu holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Auditing from the University of Johannesburg, a Master of Science in Management of Technology and Innovation from The DaVinci Institute, and a B.Compt in Accounting Sciences from UNISA. He believes in the value of higher education as a key asset in personal and professional growth. Known for his authenticity, Dr Mahlangu leads with integrity and empathy, always recognising the people who co-create with him. He listens with intent, paying attention to both what is spoken and what is unspoken. As a proud DaVinci alumnus, he continues to inspire and influence the communities and organisations he engages with.
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Dr Sibongile Vilakazi
Discipline Lead: Customer Centricity & Customer Relationship Management
Dr Vilakazi holds a PhD in Organisational Development from Wits Business School and a Master’s in Research Psychology from the University of Pretoria. She is a transformation architect, board leader, and customer experience expert. As Discipline Lead at The DaVinci Institute, she nurtures purpose-driven leadership rooted in authenticity, humour, and humanity. With deep roots in research, strategy, and stakeholder engagement, she inspires people to embrace change as a tool for growth. An academic and practitioner, she builds ecosystems that thrive through collaboration, curiosity, and compassion, igniting African wisdom for sustainable, inclusive organisational evolution.
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Hope Ngoetjana
Discipline Lead: Retail Management
Hope Ngoetjana holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing from Regent Business School and a National Diploma in Marketing Management from Tshwane University of Technology. He is also a seasoned retail leader with 25+ years in brand operations, store development, and project management. As Divisional Sales Manager at Ackermans, he drives performance across multiple regions while mentoring teams to deliver excellence. A strategist with deep retail roots, he is passionate about customer experience, team empowerment, and operational growth. At The DaVinci Institute, he brings insights into retail management, grounding students in real-world insight.
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Mandla Letlape
Discipline Lead: Change Management & Management of Change
Mandla Letlape holds a Master of Business Leadership from UNISA, a Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Rand Afrikaans University, a Higher Diploma in Tax Law from Wits and a B.Proc from UNISA. As a leadership consultant, author, and governance expert, he is passionate about reshaping the African leadership narrative. With over 20 years of experience across sectors, he empowers leaders to align vision, people, and systems. He has successfully built bridges between strategy and execution, helping organisations navigate change with purpose. Known for his sharp insight and social influence, Mandla leads with intellect and intention. His book, The Dream Delivered, reflects his lifelong commitment to transforming society through conscious, values-based leadership.
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Sechaba Motsieloa
Discipline Lead: Marketing Management
Sechaba is a distinguished Chartered Marketer (CMSA) with over 25 years of expertise in strategic marketing, brand, and reputation management. He holds a B.Soc.Sci (Hons) in Organisational Psychology from UCT. Throughout his career, Sechaba has held leadership roles in many organisations including McDonald’s South Africa and the Marketing Association of South Africa, and also serves as a MAC Charter Councillor. Known as a trusted advisor, he is committed to ethical, human-centered marketing leadership that unlocks human potential and drives meaningful business impact. Sechaba’s approach blends deep industry knowledge with a focus on innovation, integrity and sustainable success.
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Anusha Teeruth
Discipline Lead: Accounting, Payroll Management and Commercial Law
Anusha Teeruth is a Chartered Accountant (CA (SA)), with a master’s degree from the University of Sussex (UK) in Corruption and Governance. She is also an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Specialist, with an ERM Certification from the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) in the UK. In addition, Anusha is a Certified Director via the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA). She is currently pursuing her doctorate at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). As a seasoned professional with 25+ years in global finance, ERM, compliance, corporate governance and business coaching, Anusha empowers individuals to move forward with confidence.
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Karl Tischlhauser
Discipline Lead: Work-Based Challenge
Karl Tischlhauser is a Learning and Development Specialist with deep expertise in business management, project management, and academic research. He facilitates and moderates’ programmes across NQF Levels 5 to 7 at The Da Vinci Institute, including research modules and work-based challenges. Karl holds a Master’s in Innovation and Technology Management (Cum Laude) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Science at Wits. His experience spans curriculum development, learner support, and thought leadership through webinars and workshops. Passionate about transformative education, Karl empowers learners to think critically, innovate, and lead effectively in dynamic environments.
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Dr Tinaye Mahohoma
Discipline Lead: Financial Management for Business Leaders and Financial Management.
Dr Tinaye Mahohoma is an academic with a PhD in Management Sciences from Durban University of Technology, a Master of Management Sciences and a BCom Honours in Economics. He is a Senior Lecturer at Richfield, specialising in management sciences, finance, economics, accounting, project management, entrepreneurship, and research methods. He served as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Local Economic Development at DUT and he supervises all postgraduate levels, including doctoral. Dr Mahohoma has extensive experience in curriculum design, assessment moderation, lecturer development, and academic leadership. His research, widely published in peer-reviewed journals, focuses on ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, financial management, and digital transformation.
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Dr Raj Pillay
Discipline Lead: Supply Chain Management & Integrated Supply Chain Management
Dr Raj Pillay is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across the public and private sectors. He holds a PhD in Smart and Machine Learning Systems from the University of Johannesburg and is a subject matter expert in innovation, digitalisation, and 4IR technologies. His expertise spans and is a subject matter expert in governance, risk management, compliance, project management, internal audit, and supply chain management.
Dr Pillay has advised boards, executive teams, and government entities on governance, ICT, and risk, while leading multi-billion-rand projects and establishing high-performing Project Management Offices (PMOs). He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner, Ethics Officer, and Chartered Director.
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Hardie Fourie
Discipline Lead: Principles of Leadership
Hardie Fourie is a visionary leader and transformation agent with over 40 years of executive experience across public and private sectors. As a co-founder of multiple companies and business entities, he drives infrastructure-led inclusive economic growth. His leadership uniquely integrates wellbeing science, motivational rituals, and a GUNG-HO ethos, building teams that “play-for-each-other” to exceed expectations. Notably, as programme director for Business Against Crime, he directed South Africa’s Integrated Justice System through a pioneering Public-Private Partnership involving the Justice Cluster departments and business stakeholders. Hardie holds an MBA in Human Capital and Finance Management from Stellenbosch University Business School and a B Agric from the University of the Free State..
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Loudine Claasen
Discipline Lead: Project Management
Loudine Claassen is a passionate lifelong learner and redemptive leader committed to transforming education. As a Project Management facilitator, content developer, and Discipline Lead, she brings deep expertise across Project Management, Learning and Development, HR Management, and Leadership Development. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management (Industrial Psychology) from the University of Johannesburg and is a registered HR Professional with SABPP. Loudine’s leadership philosophy centres on rewriting the narrative of education to enable lasting generational and societal transformation, empowering educators to become catalysts for meaningful national change.
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