Antoinette Crafford is an Executive HR Consultant at mLab with more than seven years of experience in human capital consulting and organisational development. She holds a BA in Social Work and specialises in executive HR strategy, leadership development, talent management, and organisational change.

Outside of work, Antoinette enjoys listening to heavy metal music, which helps her stay focused and energised. She also enjoys walking and spending time in nature.

As Provincial Lead for KZN, Dlozi plays a key role in driving programme delivery and supporting youth development initiatives across the province. With a strong technical background in software development, application development, and mobile app development, he is passionate about technology, innovation, and skills development.

Dlozi enjoys learning, building personal projects, and sharing knowledge with others. He finds great fulfilment in helping aspiring tech talent grow and succeed in their technical journeys.

Gugu is a dedicated Project Manager at mLab with eight years of experience in the development sector. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Management from the Durban University of Technology and is passionate about driving projects that create meaningful impact and empower communities.

With strong experience in project coordination and stakeholder engagement, Gugu is committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to skills development and social innovation. She brings a people-centred approach to her work and enjoys collaborating with teams to deliver impactful programmes.

Outside of work, Gugu enjoys hiking and spending time in nature. September is her favourite time of year, especially for long walks in Pretoria when the purple jacaranda trees are in bloom.

With over 5 years at mLab, Ivan specialises in ICT facilitation, digital skills training, and web and mobile application development.

He is passionate about mentoring young people and sharing knowledge to help them grow. Outside of work, he enjoys anime, gaming, playing pool, and exploring new gadgets.

With more than five years at mLab, Kabelo focuses on technical training, coding mentorship, and software development education.

He finds great fulfillment in seeing trainees grow from junior to senior developers. Outside of work, he enjoys DIY projects, organising events, following soccer, and is developing an interest in farming.

Mahlatse is a Digital Skills Facilitator in Limpopo who is passionate about technology, mentorship, and youth development. A proud milestone in her journey was graduating as part of the 2023 CodeTribe cohort, which marked an important step in her personal and professional growth.

She later became an intern and facilitator for the 2024/2025 CodeTribe programme, where she supported 11 trainees throughout their learning journey. Seeing the trainees graduate with fully developed mobile applications was a rewarding experience that strengthened her passion for mentoring others and showcased her ability to lead and inspire teamwork in both creative and technical environments.

Outside of work, she is a video game enthusiast and a proud supporter of Liverpool F.C.She also enjoys attending stand-up comedy shows and spending time laughing with friends and family.

Melvin Musehani is a self-taught Developer with over 10 years’ experience. Melvin has developed digital solutions for the Presidency of South Africa, Takealot, Agriculture Research Council and many other corporate and SME clients.

He is entrepreneurial in nature and provides expert advisory services to the Skills Accelerator and Enterprise Development programmes.

Mmapula is a scientist-turned-entrepreneur and self-taught graphic designer, she is passionate about innovation, mentorship, and creating opportunities that empower people and communities.

She finds great fulfilment in supporting the growth of individuals and businesses, and considers one of her proudest achievements to be seeing the people and companies she has mentored succeed across the world. Helping others grow and reach their potential is what motivates her most.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, landscaping, and spending time outdoors creating beautiful spaces that inspire creativity and balance.

Nicki Koorbanally is passionate about technology innovation and enabling entrepreneurs to convert their intellectual property into viable products and services for the market.

What drives Nicki is the hope that this will ultimately lead to building more enterprises that are competitive, creating jobs, building a stronger South African economy and changing lives.

Nyasha is a Programme Manager with over seven years of experience in building impactful ecosystems and managing programmes for leading corporate partners in South Africa.

She is passionate about tech innovation, SMME growth, and youth skills development, with a strong focus on empowering entrepreneurs and driving meaningful impact in the digital economy.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, exploring museums, travelling, and relaxing with a good glass of wine.

Palesa is the Digital Ecosystems Lead for mLab and her role is to unlock the potential of the digital economy in a remote area.

Building a vibrant tech startup ecosystem for digital innovative entrepreneurs and raising the level of digital literacy and digital skills for the youth in the ICT sector.

She is a Graduate from the University of Johannesburg. Did her Software Development internship at C.O.J.E.D.I. She is also part of Generation 100 vision (GEN100) under the E-Mobility Program.

Phindi is a passionate social impact and operations professional with close to eight years of experience in the social impact sector. She holds a BA Humanities degree from the University of Johannesburg and has certifications in project management, training facilitation, labour relations, and enterprise development.

Her expertise includes operations management, stakeholder engagement, project coordination, compliance, and people management. Phindi is passionate about creating positive community impact and empowering people through meaningful development initiatives.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring new experiences, and embracing opportunities for personal growth.

Refilwe is a Digital Systems Administrator at mLab with a strong background in software development, full-stack development, and code reviews. She is passionate about using technology to improve systems and support learning environments.

She enjoys mentoring trainees, helping them build confidence and strengthen their technical skills. Outside of work, Refilwe loves reading self-development books and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Sabelo Gumede is a Digital Skills Facilitator at mLab with three years of experience in software development, IT support, and skills facilitation. He holds an Advanced Diploma in ICT and has completed certifications in React Fullstack Development, JavaScript Data Types, and Algorithms.

Sabelo is passionate about technology, continuous learning, and building innovative tech projects. Outside of work, he enjoys research, hands-on learning, playing soccer, and spending time with family.

With  over 10 years at mLab, Sina brings expertise in cross-border programme management, stakeholder engagement, and startup ecosystem development.

She is passionate about connecting entrepreneurs and driving innovation across Africa. A career highlight was leading the BoostUp initiative, bringing together entrepreneurs from across Southern Africa. 

Outside work, she enjoys live music, road trips, and has a unique talent for bringing office plants back to life.

Sizwe specialises in front-end and back-end development, UI/UX integration, and responsive web design. His career highlight was leading a development project where he mentored trainees to build a real-world app.

Outside of work, he enjoys renaissance literature, outdoor activities, and is keen to explore fishing.

Tendai Mazhude is passionate about supporting growth entrepreneurs and their solutions across the African continent. His experience spans over 12 years - having worked for multiple organizations in roles that include; SME Banking, Monitoring and Evaluation as well as an Economic Researcher.

He has a science postgraduate degree (M.Sc.) in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from the Manchester Business School (University of Manchester).

With eight years at mLab, Vero specialises in programme coordination, digital skills development, and youth empowerment.

She is passionate about helping young people unlock opportunities through technology. Her proudest moments are seeing trainees secure jobs and launch their own businesses.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, and solving Sudoku puzzles.

Vukona is a passionate software developer currently working as a Digital Skills Facilitator. A lifelong learner, he enjoys building side projects in his spare time, exploring emerging technologies and modern development frameworks.

He graduated top of his class at EWC, where he earned his National Certificate in Information Technology, reflecting his dedication to excellence and innovation in the tech industry.

Vuyo Kumalo is an entrepreneur, creative strategist, and technology ecosystem builder with a background in banking, business development, and compliance. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is passionate about driving innovation through technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship. 

With interests spanning app development, arts and culture, sports, and emerging technologies, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to building sustainable innovation ecosystems. He is a strong advocate for leveraging creativity and technology to create opportunities that empower the next generation.

Zack Tinga is passionate about driving impact especially in less privileged communities through up-skilling the youth with cutting edge and on-demand skills. He occupies a Quality Assurance position at mLab where he trains the youth with skills required in the 21st century, especially in the era of 4IR.

He is a self-taught developer, with over 6 years’ experience in software development and skills facilitation. He has completed Systems Development Level 3 & 4, Mobile Development training, Finance for Non-financial managers and recently Social Anthropology.

Zu is a creative and passionate marketing professional who focuses on digital marketing, branding, and storytelling. He enjoys creating meaningful content and helping build strong brand connections.

Outside of work, he enjoys going to the gym, jogging, and taking naps to recharge and stay balanced.

He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies and Geography from Rhodes University.

Are you passionate about driving positive change through digital empowerment and entrepreneurship? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where you can make a tangible impact on the lives of others? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

About mLab:

mLab is a leading digital skills and enterprise accelerator on a mission to empower unemployed youth, early-stage entrepreneurs, and innovators. For over 11 years, we’ve been dedicated to providing the support and resources necessary for individuals to innovate, earn a living, and contribute meaningfully to our economy and society.

Our organization operates through two key pillars: the Digital Skills Accelerator and the Tech-Enterprise Accelerator. With headquarters in Tshwane and provincial offices in KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, and the Northern Cape, we are committed to building a digitally empowered tomorrow across South Africa.

About the Position:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Operations Manager to join our team on a two-year fixed-term contract basis in Tshwane. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in implementing the mLab strategy, ensuring efficient operations, and exceeding the expectations of our stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Planning and Reporting: Collaborate in the development of the mLab strategy, translate it into an annual performance plan, and prepare relevant reports for funding partners.
• Operational Management: Monitor and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs), drive continuous improvement in operational processes, and oversee budgeting and financial reviews.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent mLab at stakeholder engagements, strengthen relationships with partners, and ensure the successful continuation of business operations.
• Project and Contract Management: Facilitate project management of special initiatives in alignment with mLab’s strategy, including lease agreements and accreditation projects.
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): Oversee data collection processes, report on metrics and performance against targets, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Risk and Compliance: Drive the mLab risk framework, oversee health and safety policies, and manage compliance documentation.
• Asset Management: Oversee inventory and maintenance of mLab assets, as well as manage the asset register.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, financial, or technology management.
• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Proven track record in business and operational planning, project management, and data analysis.
• Experience in dealing with high-level stakeholders and industry partners.
• Familiarity with development and entrepreneurship environments is advantageous.

Core Competencies Required:

• Advanced financial and business management skills.
• Strong organizational and planning abilities.
• Proficiency in digital tools and technology.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complexity and stress, and innovate in problem-solving.

Remuneration:

Market related.

How to Apply:

If you meet the above requirements and are excited about the opportunity to join our team, please send your CV to Antoinette Crafford at antoinette@mlab.co.za by no later than 30 April 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Join Us in Empowering Tomorrow:

At mLab, we believe in the power of digital skills and entrepreneurship to transform lives and communities. If you share our passion for driving positive change and innovation, we invite you to join us on this rewarding journey. Together, we can build a brighter future for South Africa!