Search
Close this search box.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

ADD TO CALENDAR

MILKOR
MILKOR

SPEAKERS

Click on a Speaker’s image to display a full profile

Dr Robin Blake
Dr Robin Blake
Part-time Lecturer, Department of Political Sciences University of Pretoria

Dr Robin Blake retired from the South African National Defence Force in 2017 after a career spanning 41 years. He is a part-time lecturer in the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Pretoria since 2014. His degree qualifications include a PhD in Political Science (University of Pretoria), a Master of Security Studies (University of Pretoria) and a Bachelor of Military Science (University of Stellenbosch).

He teaches the Security and Strategic Studies elective module to students attending the Bachelor of Arts (Honours International Relations) degree programme and the elective module on Diplomatic Practice to students attending the Master of Diplomatic Practice degree programme in the Department.

Dr Robin Blake

Part-time Lecturer, Department of Political Sciences University of Pretoria
Jaco Botha
Jaco Botha
Program Manager, Radar Business Unit, Hensoldt

Jaco obtained a Bachelor’’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Pretoria in 1996. He then completed a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering at the University of Johannesburg in 2007. He specialised in image processing and pattern recognition. He started at Denel as an algorithm and software engineer working on image and signal processing software. He later moved onto the development of radar algorithms. This included modelling and simulation of radar systems and tracking algorithms like Kalman filters.

He later worked as a development system engineer on the development and integration of a radar seeker system at Denel Dynamics. He was responsible for system engineering, planning, organisation, managing of tasks and integration activities. He was later appointed as a programme manager for a large radar missile development programme. He also acted as a facility manager for a radar and image processing department. In 2019 he was appointed as a radar specialist at Hensoldt South Africa. He was later appointed as a programme manager for a new surveillance radar product.

He is also responsible for growing and building the radar capability in Hensoldt South Africa. He is still involved in the development and industrialisation of a surveillance radar and to see it through to production. He has a keen interest in sensors and systems and IoT devices. In his free time he plays with weather stations and remote sensors. He is a keen trail runner, mountain biker and recreational swimmer.

Jaco Botha

Program Manager, Radar Business Unit Hensoldt
Carina Bruwer
Dr Carina Bruwer
Senior Researcher, Transnational Organised Crime, Southern Africa Organisation Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Dr Carina Bruwer is a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) where she focuses on transnational organised crime. She is an admitted attorney and holds a PhD in Public Law from the Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town, as well as an LLB and LLM cum laude from Stellenbosch University. She previously held positions at the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the United Nations Global Maritime Crime Programme. Her research interests include organised crime, maritime security and international law.

Dr Carina Bruwer

Senior Researcher
Transnational Organised Crime, Southern Africa Organisation Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Mahmut Cengiz
Dr Mahmut Cengiz
Associate Professor, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Dr Mahmut Cengiz is an Associate Professor and Research Faculty with the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) and the Schar School of Policy and Government. Mahmut has international field experience where he has delivered capacity building and training assistance to international partners in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

He has also been involved in research projects for the Brookings Institute, European Union and various U.S. agencies. He regularly publishes books, articles and Op-eds. He is the author of six books, a number of articles and book chapters regarding terrorism, organised crime, smuggling, terrorist financing and trafficking issues. His 2019 book, “The Illicit Economy in Turkey: How Criminals, Terrorists and the Syrian Conflict Fuel Underground Economies,” analyses the role of criminals, money launderers and corrupt politicians and discusses the involvement of ISIS and al-Qaida-affiliated groups in illicit economies. Mahmut holds two masters and two doctorate degrees from Turkey and the United States.

His Turkish graduate degrees are in sociology. He has a master’s degree from the School of International Service Program of American University and a PhD from the School of Public Policy program of George Mason University. He is teaching terrorism, american security policy and narco-terrorism courses at George Mason University.

Dr Mahmut Cengiz

Associate Professor, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC)
Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Zane Cleophas
Zane Cleophas
CEO and Co-Founder, Areta Holdings

Zane Cleophas is CEO & Co-Founder of Areta Holdings focusing on the domestic and African market. His main areas of interest and specialisation are border security, defence, state security advisory, solutions design and technologies. Currently he consults on domestic and cross-border defence and security technologies, border security, OEM technical evaluations and project management. His previous experience includes consulting on information and communications security, country risk assessments, aviation security and ICT systems security.

He has also served as a member of both military and civilian intelligence structures during which he served in various positions and specialist fields in counter intelligence. He is a former Acting Deputy Director General ICT and Chief Director of National Border Priorities at the Department of Home Affairs. He also served as Chairperson of the SA Government’s interdepartmental structure for border operations and cooperation (Border Control and Operational Coordinating Committee (BCOCC)). During his government tenure he held various positions in international forums including the African Union (AU) Border Programme and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) HLEG on Cybercrime, as well as numerous positions in safety and security structures including the JCPS cluster, NatJOINTS and the Presidential National Commission (PNC) on Cybersecurity. He currently serves on various defence, security and technology forums including the National Defence Industry Council (NDIC) work stream, the National Cyber Initiative aimed at government and private entities’ response to the growing cyber threat and the AMD Innovation and Future Defence committee. He currently serves on the SA Aerospace Maritime and Defence Association Board and chairs the Space Committee.

He also serves on the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) panel of experts. As a former Military Officer, he holds various military and civilian qualifications. He holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (criminology and security with a focus on cyber threats), a Certificate in Military Studies for Pilots from the University of Stellenbosch (Military Academy), a post-graduate qualification in International Migration Policy and Management from Wits University, various qualifications in security technology and an advanced post-graduate qualification and fraud and forensics investigations from Unisa.

He is currently a PhD candidate in criminal justice with a focus on information security. He’s spoken at various local and international conferences, expert forums and round tables as a subject-matter expert. Notably he has recently also moderated various cyber, homeland security and maritime security panels.

Zane Cleophas

CEO and Co-Founder
Areta Holdings

Julian Coetzee
Julian Coetzee
CEO, Milkor UAE

Julian Coetzee is the CEO of Milkor UAE, a leading defense and security solutions company based out of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. With a robust background in project management, international business development and product developement, Coetzee brings a wealth of experience to his role. Prior to joining Milkor UAE, he held key positions in various firms, where he was instrumental in driving innovation and operational excellence. Under his leadership, Milkor UAE has expanded its global footprint and reinforced its position as a prominent player in the defense industry. Coetzee's visionary approach and commitment to technological advancement continue to shape the company's trajectory in the dynamic landscape of defense solutions.

Julian Coetzee

CEO,
Milkor UAE

MC de Beer 2023 2
MC de Beer
CEO, Milkor Saudi Arabia

MC de Beer is the CEO of Milkor Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of the South African defense company Milkor. Under his leadership, Milkor has been actively expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and strengthen its defense capabilities. Since obtaining an investment license in 2022, Milkor Industries LLC (Milkor KSA) has been authorized to establish a local manufacturing entity for military equipment. This strategic move is part of Milkor’s broader plan to support Saudi Arabia’s defense sector by offering a range of military products, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armored personnel carriers, maritime solutions, grenade launcher systems, and cybersecurity services.

MC de Beer

CEO,
Milkor Saudi Arabia

Damian de Lange
Damian de Lange
CEO, Twiga Services and Logistics

Damian de Lange is the Chief Executive Officer of Twiga Services and Logistics (Pty) Ltd (South Africa) and of Impala Services and Logistics Limited (Uganda) and serves as a part time lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits School of Governance). In 1976 Damian de Lange was conscripted into the South African Navy. In 1980 he joined the liberation army and served in Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Swaziland and in South Africa. In 1994 he integrated into the new South African National Defence Force and served in the Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence, Personal Staff Officer to Chief of the SANDF and as Chief of Defence Foreign Relations.

In 1997 Damian de Lange completed the South African Army Senior Command and Staff Course and completed the Royal College of Defence Studies course (London) in 2001. He has a Master’s in International Studies from Kings College in London, a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Africa and a Diploma in Defence Management from the University of Witwatersrand.

Damian de Lange

CEO,
Twiga Services and Logistics

Daniel du Plessis
Daniel du Plessis
Marketing and Communications Director and Head of Business Development in Africa, Milkor

Daniel du Plessis is the Marketing and Communications Director and Head of Business Development in Africa at Milkor, a prominent defence solution provider based in South Africa. With a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, Daniel has leveraged his technical expertise to drive strategic marketing initiatives and expand Milkor's footprint across the African continent. His role involves orchestrating comprehensive marketing strategies, enhancing brand presence, and spearheading business development efforts to align with the dynamic needs of the defence sector. Daniel's engineering background enriches his approach to problem-solving and innovation, allowing him to bridge technical and commercial aspects effectively. His leadership in navigating complex markets and fostering key relationships underscores his commitment to advancing Milkor's mission and delivering cutting-edge solutions to clients.

Daniel du Plessis

Head of Business Development: Africa,
Milkor

Vasu Gounden
Adv Vasu Gounden
Founder & Executive Director, ACCORD

Vasu Gounden is the Executive Director of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD www.accord.org.za) which he founded in 1992. ACCORD is today one of the largest conflict management and security institutes globally. Over the last 31 years ACCORD has supported the OAU/African Union (since 1993), the United Nations (since 1997) and individual governments in thirty-eight countries across Africa. Vasu was a Fulbright Scholar at Georgetown University where he graduated with an LLM and is admitted to the High Court of South Africa as an Advocate.

Vasu has been involved in mediation in protracted political conflicts in among others, Burundi, the DRC, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, Sudan, South Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Somalia. He is currently involved in the Sudan Peace Process. He has served on several Independent Commissions in South Africa and serves on the Boards of several Institutions across the world.

Vasu is a globally-recognised security expert and has addressed the United Nations Security Council and the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on several occasions on matters relating to security in Africa. He has been elected by the World Economic Forum as one of their Global Leaders for Tomorrow (GLT).

Adv Vasu Gounden

Founder & Executive Director,

ACCORD

Jos Govaarts
Jos Govaarts
Managing Director, Damen Shipyards Cape Town

Jos Govaarts, Managing Director of Damen Shipyards Cape Town, has a proven track record of leadership in the ship building, ship repair, and ship refurbishment industry. Jos, who originally graduated as a Naval Architect from the Delft University of Technology, also graduated from the Nyenrode Business University.

While working for the Damen group since 2011 in a variety of leadership roles, his career has been marked by numerous successful deliveries for a variety of countries like The Bahamas, The United Arab Emirates and, most recently, the delivery of the MMIPVs for the South African Navy.

Jos Govaarts

Managing Director Damen Shipyards Cape Town
Mark Grootboom
Mark Grootboom
Head of Supply Chain, Damen Shipyards Cape Town

Mark Grootboom is a seasoned Supply Chain Manager at Damen Shipyards Cape Town, where he has been a pivotal team member for over 10 years. Since July 2019, he has led the supply chain team, overseeing senior buyers, buyers, logistics and warehousing teams to ensure the strategic procurement of goods and services for the construction and repair of vessels, including the recent delivery of three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels to the South African Navy.

In his role, Mark collaborates closely with the business leadership team to strategically plan and execute the procurement process, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources and adherence to high standards of quality and safety. His efforts are also focused on localisation, industrialisation and compliance with legislation and enterprise supplier development provisions. His senior management experience in the marine and shipbuilding industry has honed his skills in negotiations, performance management, ERP implementations, analytics and project management.

Mark Grootboom

Head of Supply Chain
Damen Shipyards Cape Town

Prof_Lindy_Heinecken
Prof. Lindy Heinecken
Vice-Dean Research, Faculty of Arts & Social Science, University of Stellenbosch

Professor Lindy Heinecken formerly served as Deputy Director of the Centre for Military Studies at the South African Military Academy. She served as Chair of the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa from 2019-2021 and is currently the Vice-Dean Research in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science.

She holds a PhD in Military Sociology from the Dept of War Studies, Kings College, University of London. Her research focuses on armed forces and society where she has published widely on a range of issues, including civil-military relations, defence transformation and gender integration in the military. Her most recent book is titled South Africa’s Post-Apartheid Military: Lost in transition and transformation.

She served on numerous academic boards, including the Council of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society (IUS) and is past President of the International Sociological Association (ISA) Armed Forces and Conflict Resolution Research Committee (RC01). She is a National Research Foundation B rated researcher in South Africa.

Prof. Lindy Heinecken

Vice-Dean Research, Faculty of Arts & Social Science
University of Stellenbosch

William Hlakoane
William Hlakoane
Group COO, Denel

...

William Hlakoane

Group COO
Denel

JamesKerr
James Kerr
Owner, Orion Consulting

James Kerr supports businesses to unlock business opportunities in the defence sector through strategic market positioning and proposal preparation. He assists companies to overcome the barriers to access the defence sector, which is seen as a closed shop. James applies a systems approach to facilitate the understanding of the complex nature of the defence industry.

He translates company solutions into a competitive value proposition that exceeds the market desired outcomes.

James Kerr

Owner
Orion Consulting

drmoseskhanyile
Dr Moses Khanyile
Director: Centre for Military Studies (CEMIS), Faculty of Military Science, University of Stellenbosch

Dr Khanyile has had broad exposure at operational and strategic levels within both public and private sectors. In the public sector, he has received numerous ministerial taskings to guide policy development and implementation within the Department of Defence (DoD). These include being a committee member responsible for drafting the 2015 Defence Review and serving as the Non-Executive Director at Armscor SOC, where he chaired various board committees. He was the first Chairperson of the Defence Industry Fund Advisory Board since its establishment.

He has previously served as Director Planning and Programming within the Defence Secretariat, where he was responsible for strategic planning, reporting and monitoring in support of the Secretary for Defence as the Accounting Officer. In the private sector, he has served as an executive at Absa Bank/Barclays Africa where he was responsible for business development, strategic planning, stakeholder relations and alternative payment solutions linked to biometric technology on the African continent.

He also served as the Chairman of Masharps College Board. He is currently the National Coordinator of the National Defence Industry Council (NDIC), which facilitates high-level interaction between government and the defence industry. From an academic perspective, He holds a PhD in International Politics. He is the Director of the Centre for Military Studies at Stellenbosch University. He also provides academic services to UNISA, Da Vinci Institute, Wits University and the Free State University.

Dr Moses Khanyile

Director: Centre for Military Studies (CEMIS)
Faculty of Military Science, University of Stellenbosch

Monde_Lobese
Vice Admiral Monde Lobese
Chief, South African Navy

Vice Admiral Monde Lobese was born in New Brighton, Gqeberha. He was raised and schooled in Gqeberha after which he fled the country to take up arms and join Umkhonto We Sizwe. He left South Africa in 1985 and joined the African National Congress (ANC) and its military wing Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK). He began his military training in Kakulama, Angola and successfully completed 6 months basic training of MK. In 1986, he went to Germany for 10 months to participate in a Platoon Commanders course.

On his return from Germany he was assigned as the Tactics Instructor in Quibaxe Camp in Northern Angola. In 1987, he was amongst the Umkhonto We Sizwe cadres who were selected to attend the Naval Officers course in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in Baku at the Caspian Naval Red Banner College. He studied and specialised in naval communications for a period of four years.

In 1991, he was conferred with a Diploma in Naval Communication. On his return to South Africa he became the MK local Commander in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha. In 1994, he joined the SA Navy as Lt and underwent a bridging and orientation course at the SA Naval College in Gordon’s Bay. In 1997, he successfully completed a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering with Cape Technikon now known as Cape Peninsular University of Technology. In 1998, he was promoted to Lt Cdr and served onboard the SAS DRAKENSBERG as a Weapon Engineering Officer.

In 1999, he successfully completed a Junior Staff and Warfare Course at the SA Naval Staff College in Muizenberg and became the Officer in Charge of Underwater Ranges at Fleet Quality Assurance Division in Simon’s Town. In 2001, he was promoted to Cdr and appointed as Deputy Project Officer for Project WILLS which was the acquisition of the submarines which were built in Kiel, Germany.

In 2007 whilst in Germany, he successfully completed the General/Admiral Staff Programme at the German Defence Force Leadership Academy in Hamburg. On completion of the programme he was promoted to Captain and appointed SSO Systems Manager Command and Logistics Information Systems in Simon’s Town under Directorate Fleet Logistics. In 2008, he successfully completed an Executive National Security Programme at the SA National Defence College in Pretoria. In 2009, he was appointed Director Fleet Logistics at Fleet Command Headquarters and was subsequently promoted to Rear Admiral (Junior Grade). In 2013, he attended and successfully awarded a Certificate in Defence Resource Management at the University of California in USA, Monterey.

In 2015, he was appointed Director Operations Support at Joint Operations Division Headquarters in Pretoria. He served on the post until his appointment as Deputy Chief of the SA Navy which saw him promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. He was subsequently promoted to the role of Chief of the Navy and Vice Admiral on 1 November 2022.

Vice Admiral Monde Lobese

Chief
South African Navy

Pearl Matibe
Pearl Matibe
Global Terrorism Data Analyst, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Pearl Matibe is a terrorism subject matter and Africa regional expert at the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. Pearl is also a distinguished journalist, geopolitical analyst and media commentator with extensive field experience as a State Department and Chief White House Correspondent for several independent media outlets. In this capacity, Pearl has written extensively about United States grand strategy, its role in great power competition and the nuances and interplay of its domestic, defence and foreign policies and intelligence matters.

Pearl's portfolio boasts interviews with current and former high-ranking U.S. Government officials, ambassadors and foreign service personnel, spanning multiple administrations, African leaders in the Sahel region and heads of government. Pearl has extensive expertise in the history, military exercises and engagement activities of the U.S. Africa Command and expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams’ port calls on the African continent. She has done extensive coverage of conflicts, including on U.S. counterterrorism activities and on private mercenary companies in Africa. Pearl's academic background is in international politics, intelligence studies and international security, which position her as a prominent voice in her areas of expertise: U.S.-Africa relations, Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, the nexus of defence and foreign policies, intelligence matters, international security, emerging and enduring transnational threats and terrorism, and she regularly publishes on these topics.

Pearl's contributions to the discourse on global geopolitics and international relations are both impactful and insightful. She has conducted social science research on U.S. security sector assistance to Africa and has ongoing academic research projects on international security. Pearl graduated magna cum laude from George Mason University.

Pearl Matibe

Global Terrorism Data Analyst, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Sefale Montsi
Sefale Montsi
Director, Damen Shipyards Cape Town

Sefale Montsi has served on the board of Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) since the Damen group first invested in South Africa in 2009. With the global team, Sefale champions sustainable initiatives to enhance local supplier development. As part of Montsi Investments, Sefale has worked with partners of the family-held company, adding value through strategy development, stakeholder management and business development across a range of industries.

She is a former Chairperson of the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD), whose members comprise suppliers to the defence and security cluster. With fellow industry members she is building credible partnerships for inter-relational cooperation to realise the potential of the industry to improve South African lives for generations to come.

Her current interests include consulting services in the ICT industry working with multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust, sustainable digital solutions in a way that empowers clients and enhances efficiency.

Sefale Montsi

Director
Damen Shipyards Cape Town

Evelyn Motsatsing
Evelyn Motsatsing
Group Executive: Business Enablement, Armscor

Evelyn Motsatsing is the Group Executive responsible for Business Enablement at the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR). She is responsible for corporate communications, stakeholder relationships, as well as expanding the offerings of Armscor to the broader justice, crime prevention and security cluster, locally, regionally and globally. Ms Motsatsing’s career experience spans a period of 30 years in both the private and public sectors, including in areas of business strategy, strategic planning, business development, operations management, transformation, corporate communications and marketing, organisational culture and other corporate services such as HR, ICT, and facilities management. Her work experience has mainly been in the ICT, engineering and telecom industries. Evelyn is also a qualified business coach and an author of youth-focused books.

Evelyn Motsatsing

Group Executive: Business Enablement Armscor

Next Page

Join the AAD 2024 Conference to gain insights from experts, connect with global professionals, and explore the latest in future warfare, maritime security, and South Africa’s defence industry.

Click here