Prof Patrick Bean
Executive Head of STADIO Contact Learning Campuses
Prof Patrick Bean holds the position of Executive Head of STADIO Contact Learning Campuses. He is a member of STADIO EXCO and oversees STADIO’s six contact learning campuses and the campus that manages the Distance Learning Undergraduate School of Education programmes. One of Prof Bean’s particular focus areas is the establishment of formal collaborations between STADIO and public and private organisations involved in education, such as schools, TVET colleges, non-profit organisations, and government departments.
He lives in Gqeberha and is married to Dr Margie Childs, a lecturer at NMU. They have four children and two grandchildren.
Tracy Turnbull
Regional Head of Eastern & Southern Cape | Sector Head of Education
With nearly two decades of experience in the Asset Finance industry, I have been deeply entrenched and a part of Merchant West’s growth and success
I spent 13 years at the Head Office in Sandton (now Cape Town) and played a key role in expanding the company’s footprint across various sectors. In 2011, I took on the challenge of opening the Eastern Cape office in Port Elizabeth.
Throughout my career I have focused primarily on the Technology and Office Automation sectors, providing tailored financial solutions that help businesses navigate the evolving technological landscape. My experience and expertise in these sectors have enabled me to offer innovative asset finance solutions.
I have recently taken on the role of Sector Head of Education. With a passion for education and a strong understanding of the sector’s unique challenges, I am dedicated to designing and implementing innovative financial strategies that will help educational institutions thrive through the ever-changing demands of Technology and Green Energy integration.
Julie Di Nardo
Key Account Manager – iStore Education
Supporting, inspiring and Connecting, innovative Schools & Educators, utilising Apple Technology
iStore Education, the only authorised Education Specialist in Africa, leverages Apple technology to create innovative solutions that enhance teaching and learning environments. Working with hundreds of schools and higher education institutions across South Africa, iStore Education provides a comprehensive approach, from introducing the latest Apple devices and integrating them with existing systems, to guiding professional development and curriculum strategies. iStore Educations team of experts, also offers Professional Technical Support and Technology services, tailored to each Educational institution’s needs.
Viloshnee Singh
CEO
Viloshnee is a seasoned business development executive and geologist with over 25 years of experience in the mining and minerals sector. She holds master’s degrees in both science and business, complemented by executive programs at Harvard and GIBS. Throughout her career, she has held senior roles at leading mining companies, focusing on business development, strategy formulation, and sales management across Africa. Currently, Viloshnee is the CEO of Thembane Chemicals, a Johannesburg-based company that supplies specialty laboratory and industrial chemicals, including eco-friendly cleaning products. Additionally, she founded V4 Group, a consultancy dedicated to supporting SMMEs and large corporates in business development and strategic planning. Passionate about social development, Viloshnee created chemistry toolkits for schools facing resource constraints to enhance STEM education. She also launched Chemistry in Action-V4, a non-profit organization aimed at improving STEM teaching for rural high school students, fostering interactive learning and encouraging careers in science and technology.
Frans Hendrik Badenhorst
Head of Student Recruitment
Frans-Hendrik Badenhorst is a 27-year-old Head of Student Recruitment at the IIE Varsity College. Representing the IIE Varsity College, IIE MSA and IIE VEGA. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, an Honours degree in Business Management, and is credited in Financial Planning from Stellenbosch Business School. His specialized thesis focused on the impact of networking on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Frans-Hendrik is passionate about people and education, with a particular emphasis on skills development. He has significantly influenced perceptions of education and its transformative power for the youth in our country. Additionally, he is a business owner with extensive experience in connecting the right individuals to foster a better future.
Mpho Machaka
Founder & CEO
e are a body of ICT professionals, each with over 15 – 28 years of experience in providing ICT Business Solutions across multiple Business sectors (Corporates, Vendors and Resellers) and Industries. Our experience ranges across the Automotive, Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Media, Broadcasting, Transport and Logistics, Oil, Energy, Mining, Public Sector, Government and Aviation industries.
