Strategic Projects

Strategic Research & Transformation Programs

Major programs connecting research capability with government, utilities and industry — each showing leadership role, challenge and contribution.

National Water Intelligence — AI & Machine Learning

Role: Project Lead · Partner: Department of Water and Sanitation

Challenge: Convert complex national water data into actionable forecasting and decision intelligence.

Leadership contribution: AI/ML architecture • hydrological forecasting • drought intelligence • data analytics • governance • cloud/data pipelines • operational decision dashboards.

Impact: [Validated program outcome]

Water Treatment SCADA & Digital Transformation

Role: Project Lead · Partner: Umgeni Water

Challenge: Modernize operational monitoring for critical water-treatment infrastructure.

Leadership contribution: SCADA architecture • industrial automation • PLC/HMI integration • industrial IoT • cybersecurity-aware architecture • digital twins and analytics.

Impact: [Validated program outcome]

Eskom Transmission Communications Research

Role: Principal Lead Researcher / Electrical Engineering Lead · Partner: Eskom

Challenge: Advance communications research for national high-voltage transmission infrastructure.

Leadership contribution: OPGW • WAMS • fibre systems • electromagnetic compatibility • engineering safety and deployment studies.

Impact: [Validated program outcome]

Enterprise Data Lab

Role: Project Lead · Partner: CHIETA

Challenge: Build institutional data capability for analytics, AI experimentation and workforce development.

Leadership contribution: Data engineering • cloud • metadata • analytics • DevOps • governance • dashboards • workforce capability.

Impact: [Validated program outcome]

AI-Integrated Smart Library

Role: Innovation Lead

Challenge: Reimagine library services through robotics and intelligent automation.

Leadership contribution: Robotics • RFID • intelligent search • computer vision • conversational AI • automation • digital library services.

Impact: [Validated program outcome]

AI in Agriculture

Role: Research Lead

Challenge: Apply intelligent systems to food security and rural innovation.

Leadership contribution: Crop intelligence • UAV monitoring • precision agriculture • livestock monitoring • computer vision • IoT.

Impact: [Validated program outcome]

Augmented Reality Heritage Reconstruction

Role: [Project Role]

AI and immersive technologies applied to historical reconstruction and cultural heritage.

Each program follows the evidence policy used across this site: roles are stated precisely (PI / Project Lead / Technical Director / Collaborator), and outcomes are published only once validated.

Leadership Demonstrated Through Outcomes

See the funding portfolio and laboratories that supported these programs.

Funding Portfolio Laboratories