Board Advisor – Zandile

Taina Zandile Matshotyana is a dynamic civil engineering researcher passionate about developing sustainable infrastructure solutions for rural communities. With a National Diploma and BTech in Civil Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Energy (Renewable Energy), she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Civil Engineering. Her research focuses on designing renewable energy-powered cold storage systems to reduce post-harvest losses for smallholder farmers.

Raised in a farming village, Zandile is driven by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities and is committed to using interdisciplinary approaches—combining civil and electrical engineering—to develop practical, affordable solutions using locally available materials.

Zandile has extensive professional experience, having worked in various roles at Eskom, where she supervised large infrastructure projects and developed expertise in construction standards, safety, and project management. She is also actively involved in several non-profit organisations across Africa, including EcoCare Africa Trust and AfrikaRudi NPC, where she applies her leadership and communication skills to support community development initiatives. Her work is grounded in the belief that “I can do anything I want,” a motto that has guided her through academic, professional, and personal challenges.

Zandile is dedicated to collaborative, impactful research and envisions a future where engineering innovation drives equitable development across Africa.