Conference Programme
The SAFMA Conference brings together leaders from government, infrastructure, facilities management, and business to explore the future of the built environment, infrastructure delivery, and the growing strategic role of facilities management.
Day 1
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Time
Session
Speaker
07h00 – 09h00
Registration, refreshments & exhibition
09h00 – 09h10
Welcome address
Mel Jones – MC
09h10 – 09h20
President’s address
Batabile Sibaca – President, SAFMA
09h20 – 10h15
Opening Keynote Session: National Policy, Economics & Built Environment Leadership
National government framework towards the professionalisation of the public sector
Economic review and outlook
Dr Riaan Botha – DDG, Department of Public Works & Infrastructure
Lara Hodes – Investec
10h15 – 10h30
The EEDSM Blueprint: Slashing operational costs through data-driven efficiency and asset optimisation
Faith Mkhacwa – SANEDI
10h30 – 11h00
Tea break & exhibition networking
11h00 – 11h50
In conversation: Empowering SMMEs to scale in facilities management
Zenzo Nkomo – Lepharo
Andrew Murray – Advisor to the Minister of Small Business Development
11h50 – 12h00
Pitch slap: Student white papers showcase
Nontokozo Bridget Ndlovu – Durban University of Technology
Sxolele Zulu – Durban University of Technology
12h00 – 12h45
From compliance to competitive advantage: How facilities management drives sustainability, resilience and climate readiness
Facilitator: Dan Ginsberg – Discovery Green
Fireside conversation with:
Pieter Smit – Wright Energy Storage Technologies
Sakhile Ngcongwane – Plentify
Simon Davis – ScarabTech
12h45 – 13h45
Networking lunch & exhibition
13h45 – 14h45
Facilities management on the ground: Municipal wins & pain points
Facilitator: Tamiko Sher
Morgan Dee Daniel – Afrogreen Consulting
Jenny Moodley – Johannesburg City Parks
Monique Griffith – City of Johannesburg
Najen Naidoo – Smart Communities
14h45 – 15h25
AI for non-tech leaders: Practical strategies that drive real business results
Sandras Phiri – CEO, Pranary
15h25 – 15h30
Day 1 Close & Awards Build-Up
Mel Jones
Evening Programme
18h00 for 18h30
SAFMA Awards Dinner & Networking Evening
MC: Mel Jones
Entertainment: Lynelle Kenned
Day 2
Thursday, 26 March 2026
Time
Session
Speaker
07h30 – 08h30
Refreshments & exhibition
08h30 – 08h40
Welcome to Day 2
Mel Jones
08h40 – 09h25
Keynote address: Making and managing great places: The our future cities framework for better cities
Rashiq Fataar – Our Future Cities
09h25 – 10h25
FM as the hidden engine of successful PPP projects
Sithembiso Mkhwanazi – Government Technical Advisory Centre
Aubrey McElnea – Tsebo Facilities Solutions Thabatha Qaba – WBHO
10h25 – 10h35
Skills development & youth empowerment in facilities management
Services SETA
10h35 – 10h55
Defining excellence in facilities management today
Webb Meko – Bidvest
10h55 – 11h00
Survey – Investigating the application of SANS/ISO management standards in Facilities
Steven Molloy – SAFMA specialist Advisor
11h00 – 11h30
Morning refreshment break
11h30 – 12h00
Business innovation & the future of FM
Vusi Mngomezulu – IOT.nxt
12h00 – 12h10
Lightning Talk: Tork’s Vision Cleaning System
Sebastiano Crismann – Tork
12h10 – 12h55
Transforming corporate FM for the future: Why business needs FM
Facilitator: Mel Jones
Ipeleng Mkhari – Motseng
Yolande Baron – Broll Specialised Services
Sibusiso Nkabinde – Servest
12h55 – 13h15
Integrated waste management solutions for the FM industry
Mervin Olivier – QESH Advisory Services
13h15 – 14h15
Networking lunch & exhibition
14h15 – 14h40
SACQSP Keynote Address:
Stewarding South Africa’s Infrastructure: From building assets to sustainable value
Arthur Quphe – South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession
14h40 – 15h20
Future-ready corporate FM: The role of AI
Ashan Fourie – Caelum Drone Technologies
Dr Jaishree Naidoo – Envisionit Deep AI
Mohamed Mukadam – IOT Concepts
15h20 – 15h55
Keynote Address:
Alternative Infrastructure Financing & Delivery Mechanisms in an Infrastructure-Led Economy
Chuene Ramphele – Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
15h55 – 16h00
Closing Remarks & Thanks
Johan Burger – Vice-President, SAFMA