New experts in innovation support and development at WIC
- Wits Innovation Centre
Tebogo Machethe and Thandeka Mhlanga recently joined the Wits Innovation Centre.
Now in its third year, the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) continues to thrive as a multi-disciplinary hub for members of the Wits community to explore and grow their innovations. Two recent hires bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the centre.
Tebogo Machethe joins as the Head of Innovation Support, playing an important role for students, researchers, and staff who have ideas or work that could be developed into patents or business ideas. “The opportunity to be part of a strong institution steeped in many years of excellence was an interesting proposition,” he says.
Machethe started his professional journey at the now Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), before becoming a Candidate Patent Attorney with Hahn & Hahn Inc. Later, he moved to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Machethe is no stranger to the university innovation environment, having been a Senior Manager responsible for technology transfer at the University of Johannesburg. Most recently, he served as a Director of Innovation and Contracts at the University of the Free State.
This history set him up as a great match for his role at the WIC. He says he is excited to work in a dynamic environment where he can connect with and learn from a diverse and talented team of researchers, professionals, alumni and students who have the potential to shape our future.
“The opportunity to contribute to initiatives that directly impact research, entrepreneurship, and development aligned strongly with both my professional goals and personal values,” he says.
“This completes the rebuilding of the University’s Technology Transfer function, where Tebogo will head a team of six professionals to enable Innovation Support across all five faculties, with a strong link to Wits Legal and Wits entities,” says Letlotlo Phohole, Director of the Wits Innovation Centre. “We look forward to continued success as we strengthen the innovation ecosystem at Wits.”
Another new face in the WIC is the Innovation Development Officer, Thandeka Mhlanga. She will be coordinating the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in the field of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and working on innovation awareness around campus.
Early on in her studies in physics and applied mathematics, Mhlanga encountered Andrew Forbes, the now Distinguished Professor in the School of Physics and founder of the Structured Light Laboratory at Wits. She eventually did her Master’s under the Professor’s supervision. She also holds a Master of Management in Innovation Studies.
Having stepped out of research into a teaching role, Mhlanga was fascinated with how to best convey science in impactful ways. This led her to co-found the Nka’Thuto EduPropeller non-profit organisation, which introduces high school learners to innovation and entrepreneurship.
She has also actively contributed to strengthening South Africa’s National Innovation System (NSI) as a researcher on the Ministerial Committee for the Review of the Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Landscape (HESTILL) and as an innovation consultant at the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS).
Mhlanga says the post at the WIC deeply resonated with her. “Not only does it speak to some of the technical skills that I have, but also the vision that I have of trying to push an entrepreneurial culture or mindset amongst young people,” she says. “The end goal is for problems to signal an opportunity for them to create with the ultimate purpose of essentially creating value to drive impact.”
“Both Machethe and Mhlanga bring valuable experiences and perspectives to the WIC,” says Professor Christo Doherty, the Acting Angela and David Fine Chair in Innovation. In particular, he welcomes Machethe’s cross-university experience and Mhlanga’s deep technical credibility.“Together, these appointments strengthen Wits’ ability to integrate research, innovation, and impact across disciplines,” Phohole says. “This marks another milestone in advancing the University’s innovation leadership and institutional capability.”