Zenzile Gwamanda

Managing Director: EThekwini Maritime Cluster: EThekwini Maritime Cluster
BCom, Master of Business Administration, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Zenzile is an internationally recognised ocean economy and maritime expert leader with extensive experience in the maritime, banking, and business sectors. As an authority in the maritime industry, she regularly presents at international conferences on various themes related to the ocean economy and maritime.

She currently serves as the managing director at eThekwini Maritime Cluster, a position she has held since 2019 after nearly a decade of various leadership roles within the organisation. Her expertise encompasses stakeholder engagement, project management, maritime education and training, fundraising, budget management, and strategic industry collaboration. Before she transitioned to the maritime sector, she held senior positions in banking, including Regional Sales and Service Manager at ABSA Private Bank and Suite Head – KZN at ABSA Private Bank, where her focus was on risk management, compliance, sales, and client retention.  Zenzile holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), both from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is currently on an International Executive Development Programme offered through Wits Business School.

Mr Emmanuel Ntshangase
Chairman: EThekwini Maritime Cluster
BCom, UNISA, Master of Business Administration, PGDip in Business Management,
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

Mr. Ntshangase serves as Head of Commercial at Grindrod Logistics Africa, bringing over 27 years of experience in the shipping and logistics industry. He has held various management positions across South Africa and other African countries. Emmanuel holds an Executive MBA and a Postgraduate Diploma in General Management from GIBS and is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in MPhil in International Business. He has also completed the Leadership Development Programme at Stellenbosch Business School and the International Leadership Programme at Wits Business School.

Mr. Sandile Khoza
Deputy Chair: EThekwini Maritime Cluster Master of Business Administration,
Management College of South Africa (MANCOSA); Management Development Programme, Wits Business School.

Sandile serves as the Group Executive for Human Capital at Access World. He holds an MBA from the Management College of South Africa (MANCOSA) and has completed a Management Development Programme at Wits Business School. As a supply chain and logistics executive, he began his career in operations over 18 years ago. Throughout his career, he has led diverse teams, implementing operational effectiveness for corporates, logistics, and transport solutions. His core industry experience includes mining, logistics, and transportation. He has collaborated with commodity commercial and trading teams across Africa and beyond. Sandile has held strategic positions in the supply chain and logistics sector, such as General Manager for Access World Operations (DBN), Chairman of the Access World Employment Equity Committee (South Africa), and Access World Transformation Champion, responsible for executing the transformation strategy for Access World South Africa. He is a qualified facilitator and assessor with ETDP-SETA, skilled in enhancing learning through various methodologies.

Dr. Dusty-Lee Donnelly
Senior Lecturer, Acting Director of the Maritime Law and Maritime Studies Unit
Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude), LLB (summa cum laude), an LLM (summa cum laude),
PhD, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Dr. Donelly serves as a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Acting Director of Maritime Law and Maritime Studies at the university, a Committee Member for Teaching and Learning in the School of Law, and a Co-investigator for Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa), leading initiatives in artificial intelligence and geospatial data. Additionally, she is a member of the DSI-Africa Training Working Group. Dr. Donnelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude), an LLB (summa cum laude), an LLM (summa cum laude), and a PhD, all from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Ms Hazel Xulu
Finance Director
Bachelor of Technology, Durban University of Technology, Masters in Business Administration,
Regent Business School, Senior Executive Programme, Harvard Business School

Hazel Xulu is an accomplished professional in Internal Audit, Risk, and Governance with over 18 years of experience across consulting, freight and logistics, agriculture, and sports management. She currently serves as the Head of Internal Audit (Consulting), leading the internal audit function for various clients and providing strategic insights on governance, risk management, internal controls, and compliance. Her previous roles include Group Risk and Internal Audit Manager at Grindrod SA, Internal Audit Manager at Deloitte, and key audit leadership positions at Cricket South Africa and Crookes Brothers.
Hazel is passionate about advancing the internal audit profession and actively contributes to its growth and development. She is a Regional Governor for the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) KZN Regional Committee, where she has played a crucial role in establishing a partnership between IIA SA and the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Additionally, she serves on the Audit Committees of the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union and has previously participated in the Audit Committee of Coastal TVET College. Hazel holds a Bachelor of Technology in Internal Auditing from DUT and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Regent Business School.

Mr Andile Dhlomo
Director
Bachelor of Business Administration, Management College of South Africa, Master of Business Administration, University of Stellenbosch.

Mr. Dhlomo is the Group Managing Director at SMD Africa Marine, bringing over a decade of executive leadership experience in the maritime technology industry. He is a visionary leader with a strong track record in business development, strategic growth, and industry innovation. His expertise encompasses maritime technology, enterprise expansion, and leadership excellence, positioning him as a key driver of innovation and sustainability within the sector. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Stellenbosch.

Mr Vusi September
Director
MSc in Maritime Affairs, IMO World Maritime University, Executive Development Programme, University of Stellenbosch, Maritime Public Leaders’ Programme, Nanyang University, Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Taxation, UNISA

Mr September is a Permanent Representative (APR) of South Africa to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), he plays a maritime transport Ambassadorial role, representing South Africa in all IMO Committees, negotiating the development of new and/or amending existing global shipping instruments, devising strategies for cooperation with other Member States and Organisations, as well as promoting South Africa’s maritime and shipping interests. His active participation at the IMO has already earned him the election in February 2024 as Vice-Chair of the 2nd International Labour Organisation (ILO) / IMO Joint Tripartite Working Group on Seafarer Issues and the Human Element, addressing “violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault.” Additionally, in April 2024, he was elected Chair of the 108th session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) Drafting Group on Maritime Security, focusing on Guidelines for Maritime Cyber Risk Management and finalising an MSC resolution on the Red Sea situation.
Vusi had the privilege of serving at key organisations, including, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), where he served as Executive Head for Corporate Affairs, Intergovernmental and International Relations, Acting Chief Operations Officer, Acting Chief Human Capital Officer, Regional Manager for the Eastern Region (covering Ports of Durban and Richards Bay), Senior Manager in the Offices of Chief Operations Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer, and Maritime Industry Specialist, and the South African Revenue Service (SARS), where he served as Port Coordinator for Customs and Border Management in the Port of East London, and as the Gauteng Provincial Coordinator for Customs and Border Management, covering OR Tambo and Lanseria Intl. Airports, Waterkloof Air Force Base, and City Deep Dry Port.
Vusi holds a Master of Science in Maritime Affairs (specialising in Shipping Management and Logistics) from the IMO’s World Maritime University, Executive Development Programme from the University of Stellenbosch, a Maritime Public Leaders’ Programme offered jointly by Nanyang University and the Academy of the Maritime Port and Administration of Singapore, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Taxation from UNISA.