Murendeni Liphadzi’s passion for transforming Africa’s built environment has shaped his career as a researcher, educator and leader. As deputy director at the Sustainable Human Settlement and Construction Research Centre and academic facilitator at the University of Johannesburg, Murendeni, 34, leads research in sustainable construction, digital leadership and entrepreneurship. His work champions technologies like building information modelling (BIM) and virtual reality to advance innovation and leadership development in the sector. With qualifications that include a PhD in engineering management and a master’s in construction manage- ment, Murendeni mentors the next generation of built environment professionals by supervising postgraduate research, facilitating lectures and fostering critical thinking. His leadership helped South Africa secure gold and bronze medals at the Brics BIM competition, underscoring the power of collaboration and innovation on a global stage. Beyond academia, he advises communities and small and medium enterprises on infrastructure projects, ensuring development is both sustainable and inclusive.