Page 47 - Thetha Issue 6
P. 47
ALUMNI NEWS
Dr Mark Nasila
Johannesburg-based data, analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert Dr Mark
Nasila is the Chief Data and Analytics Officer of FirstRand’s Risk Office, and a member
of the South African Faculty of the global Singularity University. He is also a steering
committee member of the National Institute for Theoretical Physics and Computational
Sciences. At FirstRand, he ensures that digital technologies introduced to manage
risks are at the leading edge of banking, both locally and internationally, and is the
developer and brain behind Manila, an AI system FNB has harnessed to reimagine
its risk management and forensic due diligence processes. Mark, who obtained his
honours, master’s and PhD degrees in Mathematical Statistics from Nelson Mandela
University, manages a team of analytics experts, quantitative analysts, data scientists
and business heads. Their core function is to champion the use of data to drive
innovation and client impact across FNB’s businesses. Mark has presented at local
and international conferences, including South Africa’s Business-Tech Digital Banking
Conference, Chief Data and Analytics Officer forums in South Africa and the UK and
the European Simulation and Modelling Conference. He is widely published in
Business Day, Mail & Guardian, TechCentral, Daily Maverick,
CIO.com and other media.
Anrich Nortje
Special Award
South African cricketer Anrich Nortje obtained his BCom
degree and postgraduate diploma in Financial Planning for Ken Ramjee
at Nelson Mandela University while pursuing his cricket
dream – proving that it’s possible to combine sporting and Ken Ramjee has been a proud
academic excellence. Anrich, who has been playing cricket ambassador for Nelson Mandela University
for the Proteas since 2019, is currently the fastest bowler since 1980, when he embarked on his studies in electrical
in world cricket. He also plays for Cape Town Blitz in the engineering, while at the same time managing a career
Mzansi Super League, and the Delhi Capitals in the Indian and caring for a family. With a passion for engineering,
Premier League (IPL). In the 2020 edition of the IPL, he he became a mentor to students, a moderator, a
took 22 wickets, which made him the fourth-leading stand-in lecturer and a member of the University’s
wicket taker of the tournament. He and teammate advisory committee. Employed by the South African
Kagiso Rabada were also the best fast-bowling Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for 27 years, he
duo, together taking a total of 52 wickets. contributed significantly to his field, gaining the respect
Over the 2020/2021 cricket season, he was of leaders in the industry. Although he is now in his 80s,
recognised as Cricket South Africa’s Player Ken continues to serve on engineering organisations
of the Year. His career best test innings and structures, nationally and internationally, including
figures are 6 for 56 against Sri Lanka earlier the Institute of Professional Engineering Technologists
this year. Since 2016, Anrich has played (IPET), the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA), the
for Eastern Province Cricket’s Warriors Engineering Technology Association (ETA) in the USA
franchise, and during his studies, he and the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) in
also played for the University team the UK, where he is currently a registered professional
Madibaz, representing the University with incorporated engineer fellow. Ken obtained his
distinction at all tournaments, including National Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Nelson
University Sports South Africa (USSA), Varsity Mandela University in 1985 and, in 2019, obtained
Sport and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Club his BTech in both Electrical Engineering and Business
Champs. He was named Cricketer of the Year Administration. He served on the University’s alumni
at the Madibaz Cricket Prizegiving executive committee for several years, and, throughout
Ceremony in 2016. his retirement, has been a familiar face on campus,
with regular visits to the Alumni Relations Office, the
University Shop and various departments.
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