Prof Phindile Lukhele Olorunju,
Professor Lukhele-Olorunju is the Acting Advisory Chair at GSNC. She was previously the Director of Research Management University of Mpumalanga. She has qualifications in Agricultural sciences; BSc Agriculture 1978 (Swaziland), MSc Plant Breeding 1982 (Nigeria) and PhD Plant Breeding/ Virology 1990 (USA).
Professor Phindile has extensive in research management. She managed three research institutions, as Group Executive, at the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa from 2002 to 2008. In January 2009, Phindile joined the University of Venda, South Africa, as Director of Research and Innovation.
In July 2010 she moved to the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) as Director of Research and later Interim CEO of AISA 1 September 2012- 31 March 2014. Phindile has served at Institutional Boards/Councils (Africa Institute of South Africa, Bioversity International and University of Mpumalanga). She is an ASI Fellow.
She has also worked as a researcher in agricultural research institutions and lectured at three renowned universities (Swaziland, Nigeria and South Africa). As a researcher and educator in Nigeria, she released a number of groundnut varieties for the country and West African region and also graduated a number of international students at BSc, MSc and PhD levels. Other experiences include international consulting and management of international agricultural projects, collaborative research projects with CGIAR Institutions and University of Georgia (USA).
Dr Funeka Yazini April, Executive Director
Dr Funeka Yazini April’s is the former Coordinating Head of the BRICS Research Centre at the Human Sciences Research Council. Her research expertise lies in industrialization with a focus on mining and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). She expanded her work from minerals into the energy industrial complex with a focus on issues such as value chains, economic clusters, manufacturing and social inclusion. 2019-2020, she coordinated an SME industrial Committee with dtic and COGTA participants on a project titled Strategizing Economic Development through SME Smart Manufacturing. The project objective was to construct an economic model that enhances small business competitiveness through industrialization.
In 2019, she also headed a research team on Economic Transformation through the NDP project with a focus on agriculture and land reform, SME Development, and Community participation, for the South Korean Embassy. The output of this research was presented to the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation.
Energy wise, in 2022, she implemented a project on Just Energy Transition from Coal to Renewables: The Case of Eskom in Waterberg and Nkangala Districts which is ongoing. In 2023, she headed a scoping exercise with a research team to Lephalale, Limpopo, on coal and just energy transition. In 2022, she also led an NRF Global Dynamics of SA Just Transition from Coal to Hydrogen Energy project which culminated in a hydrogen Conference which was inclusive of the South African Parliament. Dr April has five academic books, and over 40 journals and book chapters
Professor Garth Shelton, Chief Research Specialist
Associate Professor, International Relations Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Academic and professional qualifications include: PhD, Wits University. Thesis entitled: “Nuclear Weapons, Deterrence and Non-proliferation: The Case of South Africa;” National Security Certificate, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany; MA (Distinction) Wits University, Dissertation entitled: “United States - South Africa Relations 1974-1979.”
He has published 8 books (on China and Africa and China related themes) and 58 articles and academic papers (on East Asian topics and security related issues) in national and international journals, including journals published in the USA, the UK, Japan, France, China, Switzerland and Australia. He has presented academic papers on East Asian and security related topics at 45 national and international conferences.
Fieldwork research in Asia has included visits to 36 cities and towns in China, 10 cities in Japan and visits to South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Over 30 visits to Hong Kong to attend seminars and conferences, along with visits to the UK and USA to attend China-related seminars and conferences. Fieldwork research on China-Africa relations has included visits to 11 African countries.
He was visiting Bradlow Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), in 2002. He recently co-edited a book focussing on China - Africa Relations and the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) which includes 8 Chinese and 8 African authors. In 2020 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan for promoting South Africa-Japan relations through academic and student exchange.
Professor Adeloye Aowale. Chief Research Specialist, Natural Sciences
Prof. Adewale Olufunsho Adeloye, holds Ph.D. degree in Chemistry (Inorganic); M.Phil. (Organic), M.Sc. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry); and BSc. (Hons.) Chemistry. He was appointed as Associate Professor of Chemistry by the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Currently, he holds professorial Academic Associate position in the department of chemistry, (CSET), University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.
He has published several outstanding academic articles in his fields of expertise which includes: natural products chemistry, synthesis, organometallic and coordination chemistry. He has served in various capacities as international science journal editorial board member, reviewer, external examiner, and academic curriculum development consultant. AD Scientific Index 2025 ranked him top 3% in his research fields. Recently, the International Association of Advanced Materials, Sweden, nominated him for the Global Scientist Award in Materials Chemistry.
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Dr Kay Gresham: US-South Africa Partnership Liaison
Dr. Kay L. Gresham, LCSW, is a social work scholar and global policy expert with over 35 years of experience in applied social science research, international capacity building, and transnational social policy development. As the U.S.-South Africa Partnership Liaison for the Global South-North Centre (GSNC), she facilitates policy-relevant research and strategic collaborations on South-South cooperation and South-North engagement, focusing on trade, investments, climate resilience, just energy transition, and digital economies.
Dr. Gresham is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Fort Valley State University (FVSU), where she advances curriculum internationalization and global academic partnerships. She serves on the FVSU Study Abroad Charter Committee, leading efforts to establish faculty-led study abroad programs. She has also presented research at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in Pretoria, South Africa, contributing to global dialogues on social welfare and community development.
A former regional director of a federally funded training and research initiative, Dr. Gresham has led large-scale public sector projects, policy initiatives, and capacity-building programs funded by SAMHSA, NIDA, and HHS. She formerly served as Vice Chair of the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, influencing workforce mobility and regulatory policy.
Dr. Gresham holds a PhD in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University, an MSW from the University of Alabama, and a BSW from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her expertise in multilateral policy research, workforce development, and behavioral health systems makes her a key contributor to GSNC’s mission of advancing equitable global partnerships and evidence-based policy solutions.
Ms Dimpho Makitla, Project Management Assistant
Her professional journey includes working at the Human Sciences Research Council, where she deepened her understanding of social systems to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies. At the Ministry of Defense, she supported the Chief Director of Special Projects on outreach initiatives aimed at advancing the rights of marginalized groups. Since January 2025, she has been serving as an Events Practitioner and Senior Administrative Assistant (Volunteer), overseeing procurement processes to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Academically, Ms. Makitla holds a BA in Humanities from the University of Pretoria, with a focus on Anthropology and History, and has contributed to policy briefs and research reports that reflect her commitment to inclusive and impactful policy development.
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Annah Ntshangase Administrative Assistant
Ms. Annah Ntshangase is a dedicated professional with proven experience in research, sales, digital media management, and data administration. While working with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), she was responsible for household data collection and digital entry using tablets, enhancing her expertise in data accuracy, analysis, and fieldwork processes. She later gained valuable industry experience at Clientele Life, where she worked in field sales and developed strong skills in client relations, communication, and stakeholder engagement.
Annah also served as a Social Media Manager at The Social Punch (volunteer), where she successfully executed content strategy, planning, research, analysis, and platform management. In addition, she has performed data entry and administrative support functions, demonstrating excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and adaptability across diverse roles.