I am a senior lecturer in the Department of Logistics at Stellenbosch University, where I teach modules in simulation modelling, operations research, and business analytics.

My academic career started with a BSc in Mathematical Sciences, followed by a BCom Honours in Operations Research, both from Stellenbosch University. I further pursued an MCom in Operations Research, supported by a Sasol bursary, where my focus on metaheuristics for petrochemical blending problems introduced me to applied systems thinking. This early exposure shaped my research interests and laid the foundation for my later work in education systems.

After completing my master's degree, I worked as an Operations Researcher at Sasol from 2010 to 2015. During this time, I contributed to various simulation projects, notably the Workforce Target Assessment Model, which provided actionable insights into workforce diversity strategies. This project deepened my understanding of system dynamics and its practical applications. My work at Sasol, particularly with the Inzalo Foundation, further strengthened my interest in education systems, leading me back to academia to explore these themes in greater depth.

In 2015, I returned to Stellenbosch University where my research focuses on systems thinking and simulation modelling, particularly in the context of South Africa’s education system. I am the Director of the Systems Thinking for Education Policy (STEP) research group, which applies systems modelling to inform and shape education policy. The STEP group explores how factors such as family support, school resources, and socio-economic disparities influence learner progression, emphasizing the need for early, continuous, and multi-faceted interventions.

My PhD, titled A Systems Perspective of Basic Education in South Africa, extended my research on education systems. I developed models which revealed the critical roles of family support and teacher retention in shaping learner outcomes. These models demonstrated that isolated interventions often fail to achieve sustainable impact, reinforcing the necessity of comprehensive, systemic approaches. Since 2022, my research has expanded to include early childhood development (ECD), highlighting how addressing poverty can mitigate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, even more so than tackling absenteeism.

As a One Young World ambassador, sponsored by Sasol, I’ve had the opportunity to share insights on applying systems thinking to address educational inequalities in emerging economies. In 2024, STEP integrated data analytics and machine learning into its models, culminating in a publication that predicts high school learner progression using AI and systems dynamics, offering targeted interventions with tangible policy implications.

Beyond research, I actively contribute to the academic community as a member of Stellenbosch University’s Research Ethics Committee for Social, Behavioural, and Education Research. Since 2014, I’ve been on the organising committee for the Operations Research Society of South Africa (ORSSA) conference and have served as Secretary of ORSSA from 2015 to 2024. 

My future research will focus on combining systems thinking and machine learning to support policymakers in designing equitable and effective education policies. This work aims to drive systemic change, enabling learners from diverse backgrounds to thrive and contributing to the long-term reform of South Africa’s education system.