Iman Mkwanazi

Category
Technology & Innovation

Age
32

Organisation / Company
Matleng Energy Solutions
Website

Profile

Iman Mkwanazi, 32, is committed to making her mark in the energy space by furthering the development and implementation of systems that are green, community friendly and sustainable.

She is the co-director of Matleng Energy Solutions, which specialises in energy advice, sustainable housing, gas and environmentally friendly renewable solutions. Iman has sustainable projects in the private and public sectors and has received awards for human capital development; advisory services; empowerment of women and youth and contributing to sustainability.

Iman has represented the company at industry conferences and events, such as the Nordic-African Business Summit  in Norway. She has shown her business acumen in the development of the Matleng portfolio, contributing to its financial growth through the acquisition of clients in both the private and public sector. To better equip herself in her field, she went back to university to study electrical engineering and hopes to register for her PhD in Energy Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2024.

Iman holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration and MBA from the university as well as the international certificates from the IESEG School of Management, Paris. Iman’s vision is to contribute to stabilising transmission and distribution of energy so that all South Africans have access to energy through both alternative and traditional methods.

List your educational background - qualifications and institutions?

• BSc, University of South Africa
• MDp, Varsity College
• Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, Wits Business School
• MBA, Wits Business School

Certifications:

• Digital Transformation IESEG Paris
• Luxury and art collaborations IESEG Paris
• International Marketing IESEG Paris
• Marketing, UCT (Getsmart)
• National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Dam Technical College (in progress)

Any awards or achievements in your field?

(Impumelelo) Top Empowered Company 2023

One childhood memory that has spurred you to such levels of achievement?

When I was elected as the first African head girl at Lenasia Muslim School. Unbeknown to many, life had been unkind to me, however, that taught me that, no matter the circumstances, with grace, a good heart and a strong mind you can achieve anything.

Advice to your younger self?

Don’t be afraid to explore every facet of who you are. People will box you according to who they want you to be; never forget that this is your story and you hold the pen. Always have a good heart, irrespective of life’s struggles. Be kind to others, even on the days when life is unkind to you. Last, live life!! Do not merely exist.

What would you like South Africa to look like in five years?

I would like to see a South Africa that is united, as cliched as it sounds. Our current problems are wicked and they require all stakeholders, i.e.government, corporate and citizens, to act together to improve the current state of affairs. To restore the dignity of the people of South Africa by giving them the ability to work in order to provide for themselves and for their families. 

A South Africa with a strong primary and secondary education system. I would like to see a South Africa that takes pride in its infrastructure and service delivery. But, most importantly, I want to see a South Africa with a stable and sustainable electricity (energy) supply and this really can only be achieved when the government has a clarified stance on the energy mix and implementing policies to navigate the way accordingly.