THE GATHERING
Professor Swilling is an expert in sustainable development involved in international research collaborations. In 2007 he joined the International Resource Panel, and in 2014 he was appointed to the board of the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Cohen is the editor of Business Maverick.
Jordaan, former CEO of First National Bank, heads a private investment company, Montegray Capital, and has a role in 21 start-up investments. He was named a Young Global Leader by the WEF in 2008.
Soni, a chartered accountant, is the CEO of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, a nonprofit that works with government, the private sector and young people to solve youth unemployment.
Professor Gray, CEO of the SA Medical Research Council, was chair of the research committee on Covid-19 and is renowned for her work on HIV. She has received SA’s top honour, the Order of Mapungubwe.
Matsoso is director-general of the Department of Health. She has served on the WHO Secretariat on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property and as head of the Medicines Control Council.
Professor Mlisana is an executive manager at the National Health Laboratory Service. She is a former head of the department of medical microbiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Major General Vearey is a noted anti-gang expert. Born to a political family, Vearey took part in MK operations and was jailed from 1987 to 1990. He worked in ANC intelligence before being trained in police work in the UK and joining the SAPS.
Advocate du Plessis is Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions. He was legal coordinator for the UN’s counter-terrorism directorate and executive director of the Institute for Security Studies.
Dolley is a journalist and author. She has focused on crime and human rights violations. Her third book,
was published in 2022.