Wits Business School prides itself on its chairs and centres which set the school apart from its competitors. The African Energy Leadership Centre (AELC), established in 2017, is one of the first of its kind on the African continent, putting WBS at the forefront of research and academic programme design in energy leadership, an area critical to Africa’s socio-economic advancement. The centre aims to sculpt leaders in the energy sector who think and act strategically, and have the skills needed to navigate the challenges of an evolving African energy landscape.

Proud to join the AELC as a lecturer, Dr Silas Mulaudzi brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the energy sector which includes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and a just energy transition in South Africa.

Dr Mulaudzi holds Doctor of Philosophy in Renewable Energy from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences from Wits University, and Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) from the University of Venda. He is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Pr. Sci. Nat).

Dr Mulaudzi says he has always wanted to impart his experience through teaching, research and innovation. “My passion is to make a significant contribution in addressing the energy challenges that this country is facing. Moreover, I believe that I can contribute to reducing the skills deficit in the energy sector, which is key to economic growth and development,” he says. 

He specialises in the Electricity Supply Industry (ESI), energy policy and regulatory frameworks, embedded generation policy and regulatory design, renewable energy, power procurement, energy transition, and decarbonisation. He has served in management positions at the Department of Energy, City of Tshwane and University of South Africa (Unisa), and he occupies a specialist position responsible for Sustainable Energy at the South African Local Government Association.

Asked how he feels about his new role, Dr Mulaudzi says that he takes the role of teaching and research  in the area of energy, the current deficit of which  is the single biggest threat to the country's economic growth, “seriously and with humility”. “This is an opportunity that I have been longing for and believe that my contribution to the research output within the AELC will help to provide solutions to some of these challenges.”

By Medupi Lamola, Marketing & Communication Manager, Wits Business School