Bangani was the top candidate after a rigorous search. He succeeds Mothibedi Matshele, the outgoing interim CEO.
The Innovation Hub (TIH), a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency and an agency of Gauteng Department of Economic Development, has appointed Bangani Jeffrey Mpangalasane as its new CEO.
Bangani is a highly experienced technology executive with 15 years of experience across diverse industries, including telecommunication, manufacturing, healthcare, and national government. He previously occupied roles such as chief strategic and information officer and chief information officer. Bangani’s previous role before joining the Innovation Hub was as COO at Pikitup.
He also has international exposure to global and local entrepreneurial innovation in countries like Germany, India, the US and China.
Bangani holds diplomas in IT from Vaal University of Technology and Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), as well as a bachelor’s degree in technology from Vaal University, a master’s degree in technology: informatics from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and an MBA from North-West University, where his dissertation focused on innovation and governance. He is currently a PhD candidate at the same higher-learning institution.
The Innovation Hub’s board chairperson, Thembisa Fakude, welcomed Bangani to the Innovation Hub, saying: “We are confident that he is the right candidate to lead the organisation into the future, further cementing The Innovation Hub as a science and technology park in Africa and a leader in technology innovation. We wish him all the best in his role.
“He is well-qualified and suited to lead The Innovation Hub, and with him at the helm, we as the board expect to see the organisation taken to another level, increasing innovation capabilities,and internal and external stakeholders being prioritised for collaboration and innovation uptake,” he added.