Meet the minds
behind the evidence.

Mr Mpumelelo Magasela holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Development Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and a Certificate in Programme and Project Management.

His professional experience spans government, community and private-sector environments. He possesses capabilities in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, research and financial administration. His multidisciplinary experience has strengthened his understanding of institutional accountability, programme performance and the effective management of resources and stakeholder relationships.

Mpumelelo currently serves as a Project Officer at the Media Development and Diversity Agency, where he supports community and small commercial media organisations, particularly those operating in rural and underserved communities. Through this role, he has gained experience in funding oversight, regulatory processes, stakeholder relations and the operational risks confronting emerging organisations. His previous experience includes land reform, post-settlement support and rural enterprise development.

As a Non-Executive Director, Mpumelelo provides independent oversight and strategic guidance to WISE. He supports the Board in strengthening corporate governance, reviewing organisational strategy, monitoring institutional performance and identifying financial, operational and reputational risks. His development-sector experience and commitment to accountable administration position him to support responsible growth and delivery of WISE’s long-term strategic objectives.

Dr Wiseman Mbatha also serves as a Board Member of the National Youth Development Agency and as a Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Zululand. He holds a PhD in Development Studies, as well as master’s, honours and bachelor’s degrees in the same discipline.

His research interests include agricultural economies, sustainable livelihoods, climate change, migration, informal settlements, governance, skills development and ethical leadership. Through his scholarship, he examines the relationship between social justice and development practice, with particular attention to marginalised communities and participatory governance in South Africa.

Dr Mbatha previously served as a Stakeholder Manager within the City of Johannesburg’s Human Settlements portfolio. He has also worked as a researcher and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of South Africa, including within the Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair. These roles strengthened his experience in applied research, policy engagement, institutional collaboration and translating research evidence into practical development interventions.

As a Non-Executive Director, Dr Mbatha provides independent oversight and strategic guidance on WISE’s research agenda. He supports rigorous research strategies, appropriate methodologies, ethical research practices and effective quality-assurance systems, helping ensure that WISE’s work is credible, methodologically sound, socially responsive and capable of informing evidence-based decisions.

Ms Phumla Ndlovu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and History and an Honours degree in Anthropology from the University of Zululand, where she graduated cum laude. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Anthropology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Her professional experience spans research, project coordination and administration. She possesses strong capabilities in project planning, stakeholder engagement, communication, operational coordination, documentation, time management and the management of multiple deliverables. Her experience in academic and research environments has equipped her to coordinate research activities, maintain project records, support logistical processes and keep assignments progressing efficiently from planning through completion.

In her managerial role, Phumla provides leadership in the planning, coordination and delivery of WISE projects. She supports the alignment of people, resources, timelines and operational processes to ensure that client assignments are completed efficiently and to the required quality standards. Her responsibilities include strengthening internal workflows, monitoring implementation, facilitating stakeholder communication and supporting responsive service delivery.

Guided by her training in Anthropology, Phumla brings a people-centred and context-sensitive perspective to operations and project management. Her attention to detail, organisational discipline and commitment to collaboration advance WISE’s operational effectiveness and the delivery of high-quality research and development projects.

Ms Siphokazi Ngcebo Mthembu holds a degree in Environmental Planning and Development from the University of Zululand and an Honours degree in Development Studies from the University of South Africa.

Her training has equipped her with knowledge of integrated environmental and spatial planning, sustainable land-use management, environmental impact assessment, community-based natural-resource management and policy analysis for environmentally responsible development. Her postgraduate studies strengthened her understanding of development theory, socioeconomic research, poverty and inequality, livelihoods, project planning, monitoring and evaluation, governance and community-development strategies.

By combining environmental planning with development studies, Siphokazi brings an interdisciplinary perspective connecting environmental sustainability, socioeconomic development and community needs. Her understanding of stakeholder engagement, policy processes and community-centred planning enables her to identify shared priorities, facilitate collaboration and develop responsive partnerships.

As a manager, Siphokazi provides strategic leadership in expanding WISE’s business opportunities, developing institutional partnerships and strengthening relationships with clients, communities and other stakeholders. She supports WISE’s positioning within the research and development sector and helps ensure that its services remain relevant, sustainable and responsive while advancing equitable and sustainable development.