Humbulani Mudau

Humbulani Mudau has extensive experience in the field of space science and technology. Humbulani has held various roles in different organizations throughout their career. From 1996 to 1997, they worked as a Technical Assistant to the Environmental Advisor at the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, where their responsibilities included advising on environmental matters and drafting Environmental Management Programme Reports. From 1998 to 2006, they served as a Project Manager and Research Group Leader at the CSIR: Natural Resources and the Environment Unit (NRE). In this role, they led research projects and managed a team. In 2006, they joined the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) as Deputy Director of the Space Programme and later became the Director of Space Science and Technology in 2009. Humbulani was responsible for research, strategic planning, and development and distribution of space science and technology products and services. In 2012, they became the Chief Director of Space Science and Technology at the Department of Science and Technology, where they managed and facilitated various projects related to earth observation and space science. In 2023, they assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer at the South African National Space Agency.

Humbulani Mudau has a diverse education history. In 1995, they completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Venda. Humbulani then attended the University of Johannesburg, where they obtained a Certificate in Remote Sensing in 1997. In the same year, they also received a Certificate in Practices and Principles of Environmental Management from PU. The following year, they obtained a B.Sc. Honours degree in Environmental Management and Geospatial Sciences from the University of Johannesburg. In 2001, they pursued a Master of Science degree in Satellite Remote Sensing at Universite Pierre et Marie CURIE, specializing in Medium Resolution Satellite. In 2003, they completed courses in Financial Management and Project Management at CiLLA. Subsequently, they studied Advanced Remote Sensing at Stellenbosch University in 2005. Finally, they completed a course in Evidence-based Policy Formulation at the University of Cape Town in 2018.