Ms. Mpume Mpanza A self-motivated leader and entrepreneur who values the principles of hard work and diligence, Mpume has over 24 years’ experience in the sales, marketing communications, training and stakeholder relations management acquired from both private and public sector organisations.

She holds a BA Communication Science (University of Zululand), Public Relations Diploma (Damelin Management College) and Women Transforming Leadership Certificate from SAID Business School (Oxford University, UK) among other Executive Certificates.

Being recognised with an Extraordinary Achievement Award by South African Breweries (now InBev) is testimony to her commitment to excellence. Her expertise in social impact afforded the underprivileged learners access to tertiary education through REAP bursaries.

Mpume has played a significant role in Co-operatives management, training and capacity building of Co-operative Financial Institutions (CFIs) across KZN districts; her career path includes a stint with Standard Bank, Tongaat-Hulett Group, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs as well as Agribusiness Development Agency. She has participated in various professional forums such as KZN stakeholders’ forum and intragovernmental communicators’ forum; participant at AUDA-NEPAD Women in Agribusiness Conferences in and beyond South African boarders; Agricultural Work Groups and Local Economic Clusters. As a gender advocate Mpume partook in a panel discussion of the KZN Women Empowerment Summit 2018.

Ms. Zongi Ndlela Zongile is an accomplished leader in marketing and communications with outstanding prowess in the ICT sphere. She holds a BA Communications degree from the University of Zululand, a Diploma in Public Relations from Damelin College and is currently studying Corporate Finance and Accounting at Regency University (UK). She can be credited for leading the Marketing departments at Gijima Group and Vodacom, SA.

She holds a BA Communications degree from the University of Zululand, a Diploma in Public Relations from Damelin College and is currently studying Corporate Finance and Accounting at Regency University (UK).

Zongi has been recognized and honoured with a Mayor’s award in Pietermaritzburg, Msunduzi Municipality for her contribution in Henley Conventional Education, Sports and Community development.

Nandi Ngcobo is at the cusp of establishing herself as a leading light in the South African design industry as an interior architect and space planner. Treading lightly on the planet has become a fundamental and key area in all economic sectors, thus with 15 years of considerable experience, Nandi has merged her prowess in the green economy to facilitate a cohesive eco planning system that marries climate smart agriculture with green building principles.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural studies (UKZN) and Interior Design Diploma from The Master Builders School of Interior Design, Nandi brings into ASIME knowledge that seeks to optimize the synergy between architecture, interior design and lifestyle space to
establish a comprehensive research, execution and awareness practice whose core is to develop efficient use of green energy to significantly reduce upfront emissions in agriculture, buildings and construction and address the urban and rural energy challenge.