About SATNAC
The Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) is an annual event hosted under the auspices of Telkom and attracts in excess of 400 delegates.
This prestigious event has become the continent's leading ICT conference where Industry, Academia and Operators publish on matters concerning progress achieved in applied research in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector and where industry leaders share their views on latest trends and developments
Our main objectives:
Focus on the latest developments in the ICT sector world-wide.
Host a peer review and publishing platform for students to gain input from industry.
Develop the next generation of innovative leaders.
The SATNAC conference is a parallel development to the Telkom Centres of Excellence (CoE) programme and is a very important facet of this capacity building programme. It provides researchers a platform to test their work with peer groups by receiving input from fellow students at other CoE's, industry and international experts attending the conference.
An environment for rich networking and partnership opportunities
SATNAC is one of a few conferences recognised by Higher Education where researchers can claim subsidies for publishing the outcome of their research. Some institutions require students to publish peer reviewed papers before they can obtain their postgraduate degree.
SATNAC therefore also affords students this opportunity as it follows a review process based on the international de facto standard for paper reviews.
To find out more about our partnerships and sponsors, visit our sponsorship page.
Previously at SATNAC
The Telkom Centre of Excellence Programme
The CoE programme objective is to create the opportunity for young graduates to do research in a world-class environment so that the much needed skills can be developed to grow the ICT knowledge in order for South Africa as a developing nation to become internationally competitive.
Towards the late 1990s Telkom Group recognised that there was a shortage of highly skilled engineers, computer scientists and related professionals in South Africa and as a result embarked on establishing a postgraduate research programme which focused on developing high level skills for the Information Communications and Technology (ICT) sector. The Telkom Centre of Excellence (CoE) programme was launched in February 1997, and there are currently 15 CoE’s, making it the largest coordinated research effort in ICT in South Africa.
It is a collaborative programme between Telkom Group, academia, the telecommunications industry and government to promote research in communication technology and associated sciences and to provide facilities to encourage young scientists and engineers to pursue their interests in South Africa.
Download Telkom COE Report
Next Generation of Leaders
“SATNAC further exposes students to the corporate world and to the technologies currently used in the industry, which prepares the students for the transition from academia to the industry.”
— Asavela Sigonya, CoE Alumni / Engineer
“The Center of Excellence (CoE) programme gave me the opportunity to present my MSc project at several SATNAC conferences. In 2017, I got an experience of a lifetime when I presented my research work in Spain (Barcelona).”
— John Manamela, CoE Alumni / Engineer
“The Centre of Excellence program gives you the tools to succeed in your career. It created the foundation for me to learn & grow. It has been an incredible journey.”
— Charlene Naidoo, CoE Alumni / Executive of Technology Development and Innovation
“The Centre of Excellence program, funded by Telkom SA, gives you that platform to showcase your hard work, determination and perseverance in making your dreams and goals a success.”
— Amith Dabideen, CoE Alumni / Head of Network Procurement
Organising Committee
Mmaki Jantjies
Chairperson
Dr. Jantjies is the Group Executive of Innovation and Transformation at Telkom. She is an NRF Rated Researcher, a SAYAS and SAICSIT Member. She began her career in Technology Consultancy and spent several years in Innovation, Research and Technology Policy Development. She has also served in various strategic leadership roles, including Head of Information Systems at UWC and NWU.
Josiah Chavula
Technical Programme Chair
Dr. Josiah Chavula is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where he leads the Networks for Development (Net4D) research group. His research focuses on Internet performance, data-driven network engineering, software-defined networking (SDN), and network security analysis. He holds a PhD and MSc in Computer Science, and a BSc in Computer Science and Physics.
Maletsabisa Molapo
Committee Member
Dr Maletsabisa (Tsabi) Molapo is the Executive for Research and Innovation at Telkom and the Director of the Telkom Industry Solutions Lab at Wits University. She holds PhD and MSc in Computer Science and a B.Eng in Computer Systems and Networks.
Lebo Masalesa
Committee member
Lebo Masalesa is the Managing Executive for Mobile Network at Telkom. He has over 19 years' experience in the telecommunications industry. Lebo holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management and a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering.
Christobelle Loock
Committee member
Chrissie is the Executive Assistant of the Group Chief Digital Officer, who has 24 years' service in Telkom. She has been instrumental in the organising, planning and execution of more than 13 SATNAC events and is a long-standing member of Local Organising Committee.
Pushkar Gokhale
Committee member
Pushkar is a senior leader with global experience across strategy and technology. As the Chief Digital and Strategy Officer, Openserve, Pushkar holds a diverse portfolio, which includes business and technology (IT and Network) strategy; and oversees the execution of strategic initiatives across the organization.
Anton Taute
Technical Program Vice Chairperson
Anton Taute is the Technical Programme Committee Vice Chairperson for SATNAC. He holds a M.Eng in Computer and Electronic Engineering from the North-West University and is part of the Openserve Research and Development Laboratory within the Openserve Engineering Centre of Excellence.
Johan Fick
Digital Content Coordinator
Johan Fick is a member of the technical support team managing the SATNAC 2024 website. He is a member of the Centre of Excellence Engineers from North-West University and is part of the Openserve Research and Development Laboratory.
Moipone Tsaoane
Social Media Coordinator
Moipone Tsaoane is a Solution Architect within Openserve Digital Strategy. She is a member of the Centre of Excellence Engineers from Rhodes University, where she earned a Master of Science in Computer Science. She will be serving as the Social Media Coordinator for SATNAC.
Babedi Modieginyane
Committee member
Dr. Babedi Modieginyane, is a Specialist for Research and Innovation at Telkom. She holds a Ph.D. in Electronics, an MSc in Computer Science, an Honours in Computer Science, and a BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics. She is part of the team coordinating Telkom's Centre of Excellence programme, driving innovation initiatives forward.
Asavela Sigonya
Committee member
Asavela Sigonya is an Innovations Specialist with the Group Innovation & Transformation Office at Telkom. She holds an MPhil in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Johannesburg. She forms part of the SATNAC Local Organising Committee. Moreover, she is the Treasurer for the Society of the Telkom Group Engineers.
