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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