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Enhancing the digital transformation journey

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Bafana Reynold Nkosi

In September 2018, Unisa appointed Bafana Reynold Nkosi as Executive Director of the Department of ICT Governance and Project Management in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) portfolio.

He has the responsibility of leading ICT Governance, Risk and Compliance, and Programme and Project Management.

Before joining Unisa, Nkosi worked at the National Education Collaboration Trust as an Enterprise Architect and was also ICT Strategic Enablement Chief Director of the National Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.


"Making a difference in his alma mater"

Nkosi graduated with an MBL in 2016 through Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL). At the time he wished he could assist the university to do the basics right in terms of ICT service delivery to help preserve its reputation. "I never thought I would get this opportunity to do just that. It’s a challenge I’m embracing and will be thrilled to conquer," he says.

Nkosi envisions his department to be the driver of true value realisation and investment for all Unisa stakeholders - including students, staff, society, leadership and oversight authorities.


Passion to simplify and solve problems

Nkosi’s passion of solving complex problems is evident in his 28 years of professional experience in various organisations and 14 years of being in leadership roles. Not only has he turned around ailing projects to prosper, but he also implemented governance improvement initiatives. Hence, he believes in pioneering and implementing important business solutions.

The former mathematics teacher and lecturer is obsessed with numbers and finding solutions to encountered problems. "I am thrilled by simplifying complex situations, which explains my earlier love for mathematics and, later, computers. When a problem is simplified, it becomes easier to get the desired results," he said.


Quality ICT service to students

With an illustrious experience in leadership, Nkosi is prepared to transform and deliver quality ICT service to students. In his eight months of being a Unisan, he has played a crucial role in a project intended to enhance the university’s digital transformation journey. This was done through design and implementation of a digital transformation programme structure.

His plans are to use strategy as his best strength, to improve ICT systems and make them faster, more efficient and smarter to bring best results. This demonstrates that his skill will come in handy as he is aptly capable of strategising and mobilising resources and stakeholders to achieve common goals and deliver value for a diverse stakeholder community.

As a former CIO at Gijima, Nkosi managed successfully to set up the new ICT infrastructure at the National School of Governance’s new premises and he contributed to business financial sustainability by fruitfully leading the delivery of projects that supported the core business at De Beers.

"The 4th industrial revolution (4IR) is both the present and the future for humanity’s sustainability. My role in making Unisa achieve full open, distance, and e-learning (ODeL) status, which is being a capable player in 4IR, is my greatest contribution." he says.

* By Lesego Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

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Publish date: 2019-05-13 00:00:00.0

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