About the Labs
Local insight, turned into working technology.
SALA Innovation Labs is the research and venture-building arm of the South African Legacy Association. We run four operating pillars, incubate ventures from idea to scale, and keep a mentorship network working across the country.
Our mission
Why the Labs exists
To turn local insight into working technology - building research-backed ventures that create opportunity where it is needed most.
A South Africa where a founder in a rural town has the same access to research, infrastructure and capital as one in a metro.
By the numbers
Where we are today
Counts update automatically as the Labs publishes new work.
Operational pillars
How the work is organised
Research
Applied research that starts with a real problem in a real community, not a paper.
Venture Building
We build and co-found ventures in-house, then hand them to founders with the runway to run.
Community
An active collaboration network connecting students, professionals, scientist and founders across South Africa and beyond.
Capital
Structured pathways to funding - from first grant to institutional investment.
Leadership
The people running it
The Executive Core
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) Student
Studied at
Stellenbosch University
Read the full profileInothando Mrawuzeli
Head of Labs
Architecting the spaces where South Africa's future is built.
Qualifications
- PhD in Chemistry
- MMedSc in Pharmacology
- BSc Hons in Biochemistry
- BSc in Medical Science
Studied at
University of the Witwatersrand · University of KwaZulu-Natal · University of Zululand
Read the full profileDr. Sinazo Cobongela
Chief Research Officer
Scientific validation and global scaling.
Qualifications
- BSc in Mathematical Sciences (Double Major: Applied Mathematics and Computer Science)
Studied at
University of Johannesburg
Read the full profileBhekithemba Bavini
Chief Technical Officer
Digital infrastructure and algorithmic logic.
Qualifications
- Candidate Civil Engineer (Structures)
- BSc Hons in Civil Engineering
Studied at
University of the Witwatersrand
Read the full profileLizwi Bangani
Chief Operations Officer
Operational integrity and network expansion.
Actuarial & Accounting Operations
Qualifications
- BSc Hons Candidate in Actuarial Science
- BSc in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Statistics
Studied at
University of the Witwatersrand
Read the full profileMazisi Bangani
Chief Data & Risk Officer
Actuarial risk intelligence and data-driven governance.
Qualifications
- PGDA / CTA with Distinction
- Bachelor of Accounting Science (BAccSci) with Distinction
Studied at
University of the Witwatersrand
Read the full profileLungisa Makhosi
Head of Finance & Strategy
Capital strategy and venture valuation.
Qualifications
- BSc Hons Candidate in Actuarial Science
- BSc in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Statistics
Studied at
University of the Witwatersrand
Read the full profileMihlali Zokufa
Chief Governance & Investment Officer
Risk intelligence and investment oversight.
Professional Governance & Administration
Qualifications
- Master of Laws (LLM) Candidate in Human Rights Law
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Studied at
University of Fort Hare
Read the full profileSiyavuya Nyati
Head of Legal & IP
Legal shielding and intellectual property strategy.
Qualifications
- National Diploma in Human Resources Management
Studied at
Walter Sisulu University
Read the full profileZukiswa Mbimbini
Administrator
Ecosystem administration and central network operations.
Growth, Communications & Impact
Qualifications
- BSc Student in Geography and Computer Science
Studied at
North-West University
Read the full profileLizalise Nyangana
Head of Digital Marketing
Architecting the digital narrative of innovation.
Get involved
There is room for what you do.
Whether you research, build, fund or mentor - the Labs runs on people who show up.