Invited Speakers
Dr. Pontsho Mbule
Doctor Pontsho Mbule was born in town called Fouriesburg, found in the eastern Free State. She obtained her B.Sc degree (Physics and Chemistry) in 2006, B.Sc honors (Physics) in 2007, M.Sc in Physics in 2009 and PhD (Physics) in 2013 at the University of the Free State. After the completion of her doctoral degree, she joined UNISA for a post-doctoral fellowship (2014 to 2016), where she is currently appointed on a permanent basis as a senior lecturer. Her research interests include synthesis and characterization of metal doped-oxides materials for solar cells application, thin film technology and fabrication and testing of organic solar cells.
With her expertise on her research interests she has attended numerous conferences, local and international and published over ten research articles and two book chapters as a first and co-author. She has been hosted by international institutions as a visiting researcher including Ilmenau university of technology, in Germany. She has also peer reviewed papers and research proposals for different accredited journals and NRF in South Africa, respectively.
Ms. Marianne Smith
After matriculating from Hoogenhout High School Marianne studied law at the University of Pretoria. She started her career at UAL Merchant Bank in 1993 in the Unit Trust Linked-Product division. She set up a state of the art Client Service Division, catering for all client’s and financial advisers’ requirement and needs.
She joined the RMB Group in 1998 as a senior manager at the investment arm of the Private Bank Division at that stage, being Ansbacher Investment Manager. She was promoted to a Director at the end of 1998 and her main portfolio included, private and institutional share portfolios invested directly at the JSE. In 2001 she joined RMB Pivate Bank Pretoria as a private banker and built up the largest portfolio of private wealth clients in the region to date.
In 2008 Marianne started Nanochem, a company specialising in the application of nano-fuel technology in various industries including agriculture, transport and mining with its main focus on the construction industry. Under the leadership of Marianne Nanochem successfully completed a R & D project on the efficiency of Naf-Tech Energy (nano-fuel technology) over a 21 month period. The project included many industry role players (Siyavay High Way Construction Joint Venture) and was registered with the Department of Science and Technology and a scientific paper was submitted for peer review. On this basis approval was granted for a tax rebate in terms of section 11(D) of the Income Tax Act. Ground breaking work by any standard.
Nanochem is continuing its R &D initiatives in the field whilst acting as project manager for the implementation of Naf-Tech Energy and state of the art fuel monitoring technology in the operations of major industry role players.
A strong leader in the field of fuel reduction technology and respected partner of Naf-Tech Energy.
Mr. Corrie Hasen
Executive Chairman, founded Naf-Tech Energy in 2003.
Corrie is a graduate of the University of Pretoria (UP) where he obtained his B.Proc (LAW) degree with DUX (honorary) colours.
A lawyer, property developer and entrepreneur by distinction, Corrie built the business by remaining at the forefront of cutting-edge technology in the petro chemical industry.
He (inter alia) spearheaded the scientific benchmark testing of the Naf-Tech product from 2009 to 2010 (in partnership with MTN – also including Diesel Electric, Aer-O-cure, the C.S.I.R. and other distinguished role players) resulting into the formal test report referred to as “PROJECT CARBON”.
He was also instrumental to the registration of the first formal projects (in this field of expertise) being registered as RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT programmes at the Department of Science and Technology in partnership with S.A.T.T.P. (The South African Technology and Training Platform) and Universities both in South Africa and abroad.
Corrie successfully surrounded himself with renowned experts that are as passionate about the business as himself.
Thanks to his vision Naf-Tech is considered a leader in its field of expertise and has already earned an enviable reputation in the market place around the world.
He also serves as a member on the committee for diesel, petrol and petroleum gasses of ASTM International since 2008 (The American Society for Testing and Materials) (The authority entrusted with setting international petroleum, standards for 53 countries worldwide, including South Africa) where he plays a significant role in the International fuel and lubricant standards process.
His professional objectives are to further engage in the solution of fuel / energy saving (from Hydro-Carbon based fuel), his active involvement in climate control and the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions. (GHG)
He therefor encourages the company’s Research Team to accomplish his objectives through scientific and empirical supporting evidence to ensure thatr this development encourages vehicle owners and all other Industrial applications relating to fuel to now understand the importance – and the essential misconceptions – of proper internal combustion.
Ultimately his objective is to broaden the market for the application of the Naf-Tech product even further thereby making the world a better place for all and leaving a legacy of the Naf-Tech footprint for all to see and enjoy in future.