CTIN Secretariat

The Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) is a Community of Practice (CoP) and action learning network for people with an interest and commitment to leveraging the nexus between technology and civic activism.

Prof. Geci Karuri-Sebina

Organiser

Geci is an Associate Professor of Digital Governance at the Wits School of Governance, and has worked with the CTIN as National Organiser since 2018 during its incubation at the Wits School of Journalism. She has a background in using tech and innovation to work with communities, and is a thought-leader in anticipatory governance. Her research interests span a range of development foresight, policy, planning and practice topics, particularly relating to urban governance, socio-technical systems, and innovation systems.

Her previous roles include being the Executive Manager for Programmes at South African Cities Network, a public think tank; developing knowledge and evaluation systems for National Treasury’s Neighbourhood Development Programme; managing research programmes at the CSIR and HSRC, and working as a technology associate at the UCLA Advanced Policy Institute.

Geci holds a PhD in Planning and Innovation Studies (Wits), Masters degrees in Architecture and in Urban Planning (UCLA), and Bachelors degrees in Computer Science and Sociology (Iowa). She is a co-editor of the Innovation Africa book series (2016, 2023) and an associate editor on several journals on futures and development.

Wiseman Mavundla

Programme Coordinator

Wiseman Mqondisi Mavundla is a passionate community developer dedicated to driving positive change in Africa and on a global scale. He is a firm believer in the power of continuous learning to navigate the complexities of development, democracy, and globalization. His ongoing Master’s degree in Population Studies is deepening his understanding of population dynamics and intricate development challenges.

Throughout his career, Wiseman has consistently sought opportunities to create a positive impact and empower local communities. In his previous roles as a program manager, he successfully led cross-functional teams. He fostered a culture of creativity and collaboration to develop and implement innovative solutions for complex development issues.

Nkosinathi Mcetywa

Project Lead: PR & Communications

Nkosinathi Mcetywa is the Project Lead for Public Relations and Communications at the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN). He has a background in Business Administration and Urban and Regional Planning. While studying for his Urban and Regional Planning qualification, Nkosinathi took a lot of interest in issues surrounding urban governance and the ability of the State to be transparent and accountable to its constituents. His most prominent roles have been in the education space as part of the Student Equity and Talent Management Unit at Wits University as well as the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) at the Wits School of Governance. Nkosinathi’s role as Project Lead for Public Relations and Communications at CTIN puts him at the forefront of the amplification an documentation of interesting innovative stories and projects from the continent.

Yasmin Shapurjee

Project Lead: Knowledge & Network Building

Yasmin Shapurjee is a multi-passionate urban planner and researcher that holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and BSc Honours degree in Urban and Regional Planning…

Yasmin Shapurjee is a multi-passionate urban planner and researcher that holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and BSc Honours degree in Urban and Regional Planning, as well as a Master’s in Urban Studies, specialising in Housing and Human Settlements from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Her research interests include low-income housing policy; sustainable housing construction and design; informal economies urban renewal; and urban agriculture. She also has a keen interest in the role of technology and its influence on innovative governance processes to improve the citizens’ lives, especially in rapidly growing African cities.

Yasmin has over 10 years of experience working in the research space, first as a Researcher within the Urban and Regional Planning group at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) from 2011 to 2017, and thereafter as a Research consultant to the non-profit Our Future Cities. Among these roles, Yasmin takes an active interest in community development projects and has volunteered her time, skills and expertise to sustainable building and framing projects in Taos, New Mexico in the United States; and in the inner-city, Soweto, and the Free State within South Africa. .

Some things that are central to Yasmin life are: spending quality time with family and friends, time in nature, reading; cooking and baking, sport, travel, photography, music and art.

In her current role as Project Lead at CTIN, Yasmin drives the research agenda and strategy, and is instrumental in sustaining and building networks amongst CTIN members, partners and potential collaborators. She also manages and curates the updates to the African Civic Tech Atlas – a database of emerging civic tech initiatives and case study profiles across the African continent.

Siwe Ntombela

AUCTF Project Lead

Siwe Ntombela is an urban researcher and environmentalist currently working in the NGO sector. She has experience in the private sector as a development economist and…

Siwe Ntombela is an urban researcher and environmentalist currently working in the NGO sector. She has experience in the private sector as a development economist and more recently, working with cities on spatial transformation, stakeholder engagement and inclusive climate action. She is passionate about sustainable community development in the urban context and elevating the voices of young people placemaking.

Frans Maluleke

Programme Administrator

Frans is a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences graduate at the University of the Witwatersrand, who has a background in using mentorship, leadership, advocacy and…

Frans is a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences graduate at the University of the Witwatersrand, who has a background in using mentorship, leadership, advocacy and activism as a tool to positively impact spaces and people through various local and global organisations.

Before joining the CTIN, Frans was a Projects and Finance Intern the Student Equity and Talent Management Unit (SETMU) over the past year. As part of his duties, he was a mentor coordinator and liaison for the Targeting Talent Programme, while also forming part of a collaborative mentor coordination team between SEMTU and the DLU for the First Year Experience (FYE) Mentorship programme.

Frans also serves as a board member of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA) Johannesburg Branch.

In 2021, He was a member of Project approval sub-committee entrusted with the allocation of $200 000 for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Covid-19 recovery fund and he was also recognized as one of the Top 100 most employable students by the DHL 2021 Gradstar awards.

Rofhatutshedzwa Ramaswiela

Research Assistant

An impact maker at heart, that is who and what Rofhatutshedzwa strives to be. She finds herself in spaces of growth, learning, and innovation. An individual who is passionate about development and branches into galaxies that aim to make the world a better place. This could be done through research, writing, collaboration, or advocacy.

Rofhatutshedzwa holds 2 degrees from the University of Johannesburg and is currently pursuing her MA in Social Policy and Development. A published co-author who tells real-life stories. Moreover, she has been involved in youth leadership platforms and civic educational spaces and continues to immerse herself in these spaces.

Sinenhlanhla Kheswa

Research Assistant

Sinenhlanhla Kheswa is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Communication and Media Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a strong foundation…

Sinenhlanhla Kheswa is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Communication and Media Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a strong foundation in strategic corporate communications, journalism, and marketing, she is committed to continuous learning and skill development. With her passion for the media and communication industry, Sinenhlanhla aspires to make a meaningful and positive impact through creativity.

Soyamangaye Myeki

CTIF Project Coordinator

Soyamangaye is a passionate, dedicated individual who has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing and Management major from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Soyamangaye is a passionate, dedicated individual who has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing and Management major from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is currently pursuing her BComHons in Marketing at the University of the Witwatersrand and holds the Marketing intern position at the Wits Commercial Enterprise. She has a passion for creativity and strategic thinking. Eager to learn and contribute in a dynamic marketing environment. Possessing a strong foundation in marketing principles and a willingness to take on new challenges.