SAYES Webinar to Spotlight Leading Voices on the Future of Energy in Southern Africa
The Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC), together with its youth interest group Southern African Youth in Energy Sector (SAYES), is proud to announce the distinguished speakers for its upcoming flagship webinar, “The Future of Energy in Southern Africa.”
Building on the strong regional participation achieved in previous engagements, this year’s session will bring together accomplished professionals working across regulation, engineering, modelling, and energy leadership to share practical insights and forward-looking perspectives on the sector.
Event Details
Date: 5 March 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 (SAST)
Platform: Online
Participants can secure their spot here:
Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8Osn2999TTiptE1j6uhfwg
Meet the Speakers
Millicent Masisi
Millicent Masisi began her career in the energy sector through a Measurement and Verification (M&V) project, where she conducted on-site energy assessments in rural households. Her work included identifying inefficient lighting systems, educating occupants on energy use, and recommending energy-efficient alternatives to improve consumption patterns.
She later joined an energy solutions company, contributing to the implementation of energy efficiency interventions in lighting and air-conditioning systems that delivered measurable energy and cost savings.
This field-based experience laid the foundation for her transition into the regulatory space, where she now supports the administration, implementation, and enforcement of compulsory energy efficiency specifications for appliances. Her career spans the energy value chain, linking practical interventions with regulatory oversight and providing her with both grounded and systems-level insight into energy efficiency.
Mogale Modisane (Pr.Eng)
Mogale Modisane is an emerging energy leader on the African continent and has served as a panellist at numerous regional and national conferences. He is a Board Member of the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) and currently chairs the SANEA Youth Task Team sub-committee.
A registered Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) with the Engineering Council of South Africa, Mogale has received several prestigious industry recognitions, including the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans Award and the TransUnion Rising Star Award in Energy and the Environment (2023).
Internationally, he forms part of the Global Future Energy Leaders (FEL-100) Programme under the World Energy Council (2023 Cohort).
Mogale holds a BEng and BEng (Hons) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pretoria and a Master of Management in Energy Leadership from the African Energy Leadership Centre at Wits Business School, where he received distinction for his research on public-private partnerships in South Africa’s electricity generation sector. He was also awarded Best Oral Presentation at the Conference of Academic Researchers in the Energy Sector (2025).
He is a strong advocate for positioning energy as a catalyst for economic development across the African continent.
Simphiwe Mokonza
Simphiwe Mokonza is a data modeller in the Digitalisation sub-programme at the South African National Energy Institute (SANEDI). She has a background in chemical engineering and holds a master’s degree in engineering management.
Since joining SANEDI in 2020, Simphiwe has progressed from project intern to data modeller within the Applied Energy Research Programme, specialising in energy data modelling, analysis, and visualisation. She has led the establishment of a digitalisation laboratory and contributed to national energy initiatives through the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM).
Passionate about youth empowerment, Simphiwe actively champions opportunities for young people and advocates for the advancement of women and youth in STEM. She has been recognised as a SOE Gender Champion Representative and as SANEDI’s most progressive junior employee.
Why This Webinar Matters
This session will offer practical insight into regulatory developments, energy modelling, engineering leadership, and the evolving opportunities available to young professionals. Attendees will gain direct access to industry leaders and have the opportunity to engage in a live discussion and Q&A segment.
Students, early-career professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend and be part of the conversation shaping Southern Africa’s energy future.
About SAYES
The Southern African Youth in Energy Sector (SAYES) is a youth-focused interest group under the Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC). SAYES connects and elevates young professionals across the region’s energy industry by providing access to expert insights, industry networks, and collaborative platforms.
Through webinars, workshops, innovation initiatives, and knowledge-sharing platforms, SAYES empowers the next generation of energy leaders to actively contribute to a sustainable and inclusive energy future in Southern Africa.