“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John C Maxwell

Bhekani Sibusiso Ntuli

Category

Energy
 

Organisation / Company

South African National Energy Development Institute
 
 

Profile

Bhekani Sibusiso Ntuli, 26, is a project officer at the South African National Energy Development Institute. His job is to coordinate projects in the renewable energy sector. He also deals with finance, administration and technical support, which includes managing procurement processes and facilitating workshops on topics such as the just energy transition, green hydrogen and renewable heating and cooling. Bhekani is also the gender manager for the Southern African Solar Thermal Training & Demonstration Initiative, and advocate for women’s equal representation in renewable energy. As the occupational health and safety representative for the applied research and innovation department, he also ensures safety compliance. Bhekani is a member of the South African National Energy Development Institute’s conference steering committee, where his role is to organise the planning and execution of the conference. The project he is proud of is the GH2 Research Status and Knowledge Sharing for SA initiative, the aim of which is to assess green hydrogen research and align it with private sector needs and public sector policy objectives. Bhekani is motivated by the desire to contribute to change in the energy sector and address societal problems.

Qualifications

BSc Honours in Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg
BSc Physical Sciences (Mathematics and Physics), University of Johannesburg

Achievements

One project I’m particularly proud of is the GH2 Research Status and Knowledge Sharing for SA initiative. Its aim is to assess the current landscape of green hydrogen research activities in South Africa and align them with private sector needs and public sector policy objectives. The project involved several key components.
First, we conducted a comprehensive research report, gathering data and insights on green hydrogen research initiatives, their relevance to industry demands and their alignment with governmental policies. Second, we facilitated sectoral workshops targeting public, private and academic sectors to gather inputs, foster collaboration and streamline recommendations for advancing green hydrogen research in South Africa. Additionally we hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop, bringing together various stakeholders to present the research report, encouraging discussion and feedback to ensure the relevance and applicability of our findings.
Furthermore, we organised knowledge sharing events to foster collaboration between international and local research institutions, facilitating the exchange of best practices and expertise in green hydrogen research. Last, we developed information dissemination tools, including web pages and resources tailored to provide information for stakeholders on, for example, investment support aimed at government departments.
This project taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of collaboration, stakeholder involvement and strategic communication in driving energy research and initiatives.

Mentors

As my master’s supervisor, Professor Kristy Langerman played a pivotal role in shaping my academic and professional development. Her expertise in energy research provided me with invaluable insights and knowledge. Her guidance helped me develop a strong foundation in research projects. Prof Langerman’s mentorship instilled in me the importance of rigorous analysis, critical thinking and innovation in energy research. Dr Karen Surridge’s mentorship has been crucial in my professional growth. Her experience and leadership in the renewable energy field offered me a model of effective advocacy and project management. Through her support, I learned to navigate complex projects, manage procurement processes and advocate for gender equality. Dr Karen Surridge’s encouragement and advice played a significant role in boosting my confidence and ability to lead initiatives such as the SOLTRAIN+ project and the SANEDI energy conference.