Talent Accelerator Students 2026

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Talent Accelerator Students

The 2026 Cyber Talent Accelerator Chort

Meet the 2026 SANCS Cyber Talent Accelerator cohort. The Talent Accelerator student-interns are currently engaged in a rigorous 6-month certification and work readiness program. They are full of energy and new knowledge. For potential employers and recruiters please note that our student interns are all on LinkedIn. Alternatively, contact CSI via telephone, email or WhatsApp.

Asibonge Sanele Mlotshwa

Asibonge Sanele Mlotshwa is a Mechatronic Engineering graduate from Tshwane University of Technology, currently pursuing his Honours in Mechatronics. He works at the intersection of industrial automation, OT/ICS cybersecurity, and AI-augmented engineering. He is a Siemens-certified engineer (SMSCP, TIA-MICRO1) and an alumnus of the Southern Africa–Netherlands Cyber Security School (SANCS26), where he led his team's solution for the CSIR national cybersecurity challenge. He also serves as Vice Chairperson of the SAIMechE TUT Chapter. He is an unconventional thinker who approaches problems through systems, finding routes around established principles without disregarding them. This mindset carries into his work with a private security firm, where he applies engineering systems -thinking to strategize around practical, everyday problems, systemise them, and solve them in ways that save time and cost while tracking real progress. His aim is to bring engineering-grade rigour to even the simplest things, and his natural entrepreneurial spirit keeps him building across several fronts at once. His clearest vision and long-term plans sit in OT/ICS cybersecurity. Through the Cyber Security Institute’s Talent Accelerator, he aims to sharpen his defensive security expertise and contribute to strengthening Africa's cybersecurity capacity.

Ra’eesah Safeda

Ra’eesah Safeda is a Human Resource Management graduate from Stellenbosch University, with a passion for continuous learning and professional development. To broaden her skills and explore new career opportunities, Ra’eesah has completed the SANCS26 program and is currently pursuing the Cyber Talent Accelerator course, with a growing interest in the cybersecurity field. She is a meticulous and dedicated individual who enjoys solving problems, learning new concepts, and embracing challenges. Her goal is to build a career in cybersecurity where she can apply her analytical thinking, attention to detail, and commitment to lifelong learning. Beyond her academic pursuits, she enjoys simple and calming activities such as puzzles, colouring, and swimming, which help her maintain a balanced and positive outlook. She is known for her light-hearted nature, sense of humour, and ability to work well with others. She looks forward to contributing these qualities to both her professional and personal future endeavours.

Tsakani Mathebula

Tsakani Mathebula is a young and ambitious South African professional who is passionate about education and personal growth. From a young age she showed a keen interest in technology and problem solving. Tsakani is carving a path into cybersecurity from an unexpected starting point in Civil Engineering. After completing her studies at Tshwane North TVET College, she made a deliberate shift into technology, driven by a genuine curiosity for how digital systems are protected and secured. Tsakani is currently enrolled in the six-month SANCS26 Talent Accelerator Program, where she is building hands-on technical skills across multiple areas of cybersecurity. She has completed six Google Cybersecurity Certificates and the 2026 AWS AI Practitioner Challenge through the AWS AI & ML Scholars program, reflecting her growing expertise across cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. What sets Tsakani apart is her ability to adapt quickly and solve problems methodically, qualities shaped by her engineering background and sharpened through her transition into tech. She is passionate about protecting organizations from cyber threats and contributing to a safer digital future not just in Africa, but in the world.

Fareea Ramautar

Fareea Ramautar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science and Technology, as well as a qualification in Criminal Justice and Data Analytics and Fraud. She has a strong interest in understanding how cybercrime works and how digital evidence can be used to solve real-world problems. Her studies have helped her build strong analytical and problem-solving skills, especially when working with data and investigations. She is currently focused on growing her skills in cybersecurity, including areas like network security, threat detection, and protecting systems and data from cyber-attacks. Her career goal is to build a career in cybersecurity where she can contribute to making digital environments safer.

Montsi
Mosala

Montsi Mosala is an international relations professional with a growing focus on cybersecurity, security analysis, and strategic risk. He hold a Bachelor of Social Science Honours in International Relations from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Bachelor of Social Science in International Studies and Fundamentals of Politics and a Higher Certificate in Higher Education Studies from Monash South Africa. His academic and professional background has provided him with a strong foundation in peace, security, and policy analysis, which he has continued to build through participating in the SANCS Cybersecurity Talent Accelerator Program and related cybersecurity learning. He has also gained valuable experience through myhis work at SALO, where he contributed to research, policy work, report writing, and stakeholder coordination focused on African peace, security, migration, and foreign policy issues. His experience at the Department of Defence further strengthened his skills in documentation, logistics, communication, and operating in structured, security-sensitive environments. He brings strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous development in both international relations and cybersecurity.

Mulaudzi Rotondwa

Mulaudzi Rotondwa is an aspiring cybersecurity professional with a multidisciplinary background in law, life sciences, healthcare, and information technology. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of South Africa and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of Limpopo. His academic background has equipped me with strong analytical, research, problem-solving, and governance skills, providing a solid foundation for a career in cybersecurity. Professionally, he is a certified Medical Technician with experience working in highly regulated healthcare environments, where confidentiality, data protection, accuracy, and compliance with standard operating procedures are paramount. This experience has strengthened his attention to detail, ethical decision-making, and ability to manage sensitive information responsibly. To prepare for a career in cybersecurity, he has pursued continuous professional development by earning several industry-recognized certifications, including the ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), Fundamentals of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), Microsoft Student SOC Program – Foundations, Cisco Introduction to Cybersecurity, and Udacity Foundations of Ethical Hacking. He is also completed the theoretical requirements for the ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor certification. Additionally, he has gained hands-on experience through TryHackMe's SOC Level 1 learning path and cybersecurity job simulations with organizations such as AIG, Deloitte, Tata Consultancy Services, Datacom, Mastercard, and the Basel Institute on Governance. To broaden his technical expertise, he has completed a six-month Software Quality Assurance (QA) training programme focused primarily on manual testing, where he developed practical skills in test planning, test case execution, defect reporting, regression testing, and software quality assurance processes. Mulaudzi has also begun developing foundational skills in test automation. His passion for cybersecurity lies in integrating my backgrounds in law, healthcare, and information technology to help organizations strengthen information security, protect sensitive data, and promote effective Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). He is particularly interested in contributing to initiatives that enhance cyber resilience while ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and industry standards. He is eager to apply my knowledge, continue learning from experienced professionals, and make meaningful contributions through the SANCS Cybersecurity Internship Programme.

Nokukhanya Kunene

Nokukhanya Kunene is an individual whose curiosity fuels her creativity, and her paranoia sharpens her perspective. Rooted in Linguistics and Sociology at the University of Johannesburg, her formal journey into tech began with Systems Development at WeThinkCode. Through her work in AI data training, she has gained practical insight into the evolving relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. She has now pivoted toward cybersecurity with the Google Cybersecurity Certificate marking her first step into this path of focus and growth. She stands at the intersection of people, language, and technology, building bridges where others see barriers. Beyond tech, she find joy in food, football, and the arts. Her mission is simple: create opportunities to develop every day.

Palesa
Tuglo

Palesa Tuglo is an aspiring Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) professional with a BA Law degree from Nelson Mandela University. Through her experience in education and administration, Palesa has developed strengths in compliance, policy adherence, organisation and professional collaboration. She is currently expanding her expertise in cybersecurity through industry-focused training and certifications, including Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity, Fundamentals (SC-900). Passionate about transitioning into cybersecurity, Palesa has actively pursued relevant professional development, including earning a certificate from the SANCS 2026 Cybersecurity School in collaboration with HCSS and Stellenbosch University, where she gained foundational knowledge in cyber threats, risk awareness and incident response. She is excited to join the SANCS 2026 Cyber Talent Accelerator to further develop practical technical skills, particularly within governance, risk and compliance. A disciplined and motivated learner, Palesa is committed to continuous growth and contributing to a safer and more resilient digital ecosystem.

Liyema Avumile Phandle

Liyema Avumile Phandle is from Sterkspruit. He has completed his Matric at Tlokweng Senior Secondary School. He is currently residing is Cape  Town Mandalay Mitchell'sPlain . is a cybersecurity professional with a strong foundation in network security and IT support, backed by CCNA certification and Google and Cisco cybersecurity training. He has hands-on experience building and securing networks in Cisco Packet Tracer and practicing real-world attack and defense scenarios on TryHackMe and brings a customer-first mindset from frontdesk and client-facing experience, with strong communication, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills well suited to security operations and helpdesk environments. Liyema is a flexible person who’s easy to engage with and loves studying and learning something new. He is passionately fascinated by Cloud security and Cyber security in its entirety.

Rirhandzu Rethabile

Rirhandzu Rethabile Mahabane is a social science graduate with interests in political analysis, digital governance and cybersecurity. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of the Free State, majoring in Political Science and Criminology. During her honour’s studies in Political Science, she conducted research on the influence of social media on voter attitudes and behaviour among South African youth during elections. Through this research, she discovered that social media is an online space subject to limited government oversight, enabling information to spread rapidly. She also recognised that advances in AI have made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between authentic and manipulated content. In the absence of effective checks and balances that encourage users to verify what they consume and share, false narratives can spread widely and threaten social cohesion and societal stability. This love of politics, combined with insights she gained from her research, led her to cybersecurity. These findings reinforced her interest in understanding how technology, governance, and cybersecurity intersect to protect digital systems, data, democratic processes, public trust, and society. Motivated by this interest, she completed an ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, an Introduction to Cybersecurity Course from NetCampus, and the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. Through these courses, she realised she needed practical experience, which led her to participate in the SANCS26 Program and the SANCS26 Talent Accelerator Program to gain exposure to the field. She hopes to build a career at the intersection of public policy and cybersecurity with interests in GRC, OSINT or cyber diplomacy.

Samukelisiwe Portia Nkosi

Samukelisiwe Portia Nkosi is a BSc Mathematical Science graduate, who majored in Statistics and Computer Science. She has a strong interest in technology, cybersecurity, and data-driven solutions. Her background in programming, data analysis, and problem-solving has sparked her passion for protecting digital systems and creating safer digital environments. She is passionate about continuous learning and developing her technical skills. She is excited to be part of the SANCS26 Talent Accelerator Programme, where she aims to gain practical experience, expand her cybersecurity knowledge, and grow her career in the cybersecurity field.

Thapelo Ramathetse

Thapelo Ramathetse is an aspiring cybersecurity analyst with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological Science and a Bachelor of Health Science Honours (BHSc Hons) in Human Genetics. He is passionate about protecting digital systems, critical infrastructure, and sensitive information, and is currently expanding his expertise through the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, the Microsoft SC-200: Security Operations Analyst certification, and the SANCS 2026 Talent Accelerator Programme. His professional interests include security operations, cloud security, threat detection, incident response, cyber threat intelligence, and security automation. Drawing on his scientific background, Thapelo is particularly interested in the intersection of cybersecurity with healthcare, research institutions, biotechnology, and the protection of sensitive scientific and health data. He believes that combining domain expertise with technical cybersecurity skills is key to strengthening the security and resilience of critical sectors. Through the SANCS 2026 Talent Accelerator Programme, Thapelo looks forward to gaining hands-on experience, collaborating with industry professionals and fellow participants, and developing into a well-rounded cybersecurity professional committed to safeguarding the digital ecosystem.

Frederik Tiaan van Zyl

Frederik Tiaan van Zyl is an IT Support Technician based in Cape Town with a strong passion for information technology, cybersecurity, and continuous learning. He currently provides technical support and IT solutions for businesses while expanding his expertise in networking, systems administration, and cyber defence. Through the SANCS26 Cyber Talent Accelerator Programme, Tiaan aims to strengthen his practical cybersecurity skills and contribute to building secure and resilient digital environments. He is committed to professional growth and looks forward to collaborating with industry professionals and fellow participants throughout the programme.

Tshegofatso Nkosi

Tshegofatso Nkosi is pursuing his journey in cybersecurity at the Cyber Security Institute. He holds a Full Stack Web Development certificate from Stellenbosch University in partnership with HyperionDev, and certified in Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate. These achievements reflect his commitment to mastering both software development and modern cloud technologies. He is passionate about building secure systems, coding in python and JavaScript, and exploring how networks and applications can be protected in today’s digital world. His interests outside of tech range from football to car mechanics and audio systems as they sharpen his creativity and problem-solving mindset,; qualities he hopes to bring into every project. He is driven to grow as a cybersecurity professional, combining technical expertise with innovation, and contributing positively to both industry and community.

Utlwang Mooka

Utlwang Mooka is a graduate from the University of the Free State, holding a BSc in Computer Sciences, with a minor in Statistics. She is deeply passionate about the intersection of data and digital defence, and has already built a technical arsenal, holding four core Microsoft Azure certifications (AZ-900, AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-400). She is eager to translate her cloud competency and data fluency into the world of cybersecurity in every facet of the cybersecurity field. She actively wants to be a part of the future that ensures Africa’s cyber resilience.

Carol
Stefani

Carol Stefani is a Bachelor of Arts Degree graduate, specializing in Economic History and Kiswahili. Currently, she is part of the Talent Accelerator Program with SANCS. She is greatly interested in public policy in Cybersecurity as cyber threats increase there is need for strict cybersecurity policies that will protect both private and public enterprises. After the completion of the SANCS26 CTA program, she hopes to contribute to public policy by helping to establish policies that will keep Africa safe and be Cyber resilient.

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