Mr Zolile Thando Ngcakani
Deputy Chairperson
Mr Ngcakani holds a Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the St Petersburg Institute of Chemical
Technology in Russia, a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Engineering from the
University of Nairobi in Kenya and a Master of Engineering Science degree in Food and Biochemical
Engineering from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He also participated in a number of
international conferences held in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA.
He is a Strategic Development Consultant, specialising in the mainstreaming of socio-economic
programmes and initiatives, and is also an Environmental Engineer, born in Herschel, Eastern Cape,
South Africa. He has more than 35 years of experience in strategic development technology systems
conceptualization and more than 20 years practical experience in environmental management,
engineering design and practices. He began his career as a political activist and a member of the
African National Congress in 1958 at the University Of Fort Hare.
Mr Ngcakani has leadership and managerial skills, and abilities that were developed in the early
years of the struggle for the liberation of South Africa from the apartheid regime. Whilst studying at
the University of Fort Hare, where he was reading for the Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in
physics and chemistry, he was directed by the ANC to go into exile to pursue further studies and
undertake military training. On completion of his studies and training, he was deployed in Tanzania
and subsequently in Lusaka where he held senior positions ranging from Deputy Chief of Logistics,
Chief of Operations and Acting Chief of Staff at MK Headquarters.
In 2004, Mr Ngcakani was appointed as the Inspector-General of Intelligence, an agency that
protects the integrity of the Intelligence Services whilst providing assurance to the government and
the people of South Africa that they operate in an effective and accountable manner. Mr Ngcakani
has a very good understanding and knowledge of the histories, structures and mandates of the
departments that comprise South Africa’s security cluster. He retired in December 2009 as the
Inspector-General of Intelligence and has served as a Commissioner in the Interim National Defence
Force Service Commission, as well as a board member of the National Development Agency. Mr
Ngcakani is able to establish effective working relationships at all levels of government, industry, and
the public. He has good problem solving, analytical, negotiating and communication skills and is able
to apply tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive development and environmental issues.