LEADERSHIP

NITheCS operates in an independent environment, with Stellenbosch University providing administrative support. This is critical in the South African (and African) context to ensure non-alliance with a particular institution and to maintain an independent identity.

The governance system of NITheCS is that of a national Centre of Excellence (CoE), which is subject to the notarisation of a binding contract between the granter, the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the grantee, namely Stellenbosch University.

Leadership structure

The leadership structure of NITheCS is designed to ensure strategic coherence, research excellence, and effective regional implementation.

It comprises three interconnected bodies:

Steering Committee

Steercom provides overall strategic and operational direction, setting the vision and priorities of the Institute while monitoring progress at a high level.

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Prof Aldo Stroebel (UMP) (Chair)
Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim (Caprisa) (Deputy Chair)
Ms Daria Robinson (Gesda)
Dr Mark Nasila (FNB)
Prof Peggy Oti-Boateng (AASciences.africa)
Prof Pontsho Maruping (SARAO)
Prof Sandro Scandolo (ICTP)
Dr Sagren Moodley (DSTI)
Mr Nathan Sassman (NRF)
Mr Frank Mazibuko (NRF)
Prof Sibu Moyo (SU)
Prof Francesco Petruccione (NITheCS)

Scientific Advisory Board

The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) works alongside Steercom. It shapes the Institute’s strategic direction, with a particular emphasis on guiding the focus and development of its research programmes.

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Mary-Jane Bopape (National Research Foundation – South African Environmental Observation Network)
Sekazi Mtingwa (US Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Adrian Mulholland (University of Bristol)
Petros Ntoahae (University of Limpopo)
Daya Reddy (University of Cape Town)
Spenta Wadia (International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, India)
Scott Woodley (University College London)

Executive Management Committee

The insights and guidance from both Steercom and the SAB inform the work of the Executive Management Committee (Exco).

This committee includes the NITheCS Director, Heads of the NITheCS Nodes, and the NITheCS Associate Representative. Exco is responsible for embedding NITheCS within South African universities and relevant institutions across its nodes, ensuring that regional activities align with the broader vision and mission of the Institute. The Heads of Nodes work closely with the Director to ensure that each Node contributes meaningfully to NITheCS’s goals, particularly in advancing multidisciplinary research, training, and engagement.

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Director: Francesco Petruccione (Stellenbosch University)
Head of Node – Gauteng: Joao Rodrigues (University of the Witwatersrand)
Head of Node – KwaZulu-Natal: Sunil Maharaj (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Head of Node – Eastern Cape & Free State: Azwinndini Muronga (Nelson Mandela University)
Head of Node – Western Cape: William Horowitz (University of Cape Town)
Head of Node – North: Du Toit Strauss (North-West University)
Associate Representative: Zurab Janelidze (Stellenbosch University)

Organisational structure

NITheCS operates as a national consortium that brings together institutions and researchers across South Africa to promote excellence in theoretical and computational sciences. Its organisational structure is designed to enable both central coordination and broad national participation.

At the heart of this structure is the NITheCS Hub, located on the Stellenbosch University campus, which serves as the central coordinating body. The Hub is responsible for:

Administrative functions, including governance support, communications, and day-to-day operations.
Research and capacity development, through the organisation of seminars, training programmes, research initiatives, and collaborative opportunities across disciplines.

Complementing the Hub are the NITheCS branches, which are hosted at all public universities in South Africa, along with a number of affiliated research institutions. These branches are grouped into five geographic nodes to ensure regional coordination and support.

Each branch and node is led by a designated branch head and node head, respectively, who play key roles in facilitating NITheCS activities, engaging local researchers, and ensuring alignment with national priorities in science and education.

This decentralised structure allows NITheCS to function as a true collaborative network.