2^ND SOUTHERN AFRICAN HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL CONFERENCE 2025

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Will include inspiring technical talks, poster section as well as social networking events
• Participants will have the opportunity to directly engage with conference attendees to discuss their research
• Engagement opportunities with fellow researchers, potential collaborators, industry, and potential investors.

TOPICS

• Hydrogen: Production and storage
• Fuel cell: Technologies, applications, and integration
• Hydrogen mobility - strategies, safety, roadmaps, transitioning to hydrogen refueling stations (HRS)
• Technology status in industry.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The conference presents an attractive programme for researchers, industry players, academic institutions, government, investors, policy makers and potential users of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. The focus is on building collective know-how and fostering engagement between business, government, science and academic institutions. Participants from all countries are invited and welcome to attend the event.

keynote speakers

Professor Lindiwe Khotseng,
University of the Western Cape

Lindiwe Khotseng joined the Chemistry Department at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, in 2015, where she currently holds the position of Professor. Before this role, she served as the Managing Director of the ESKOM Centre for Electrocatalytic Research at the South African Institute for Materials Research, also at the University of the Western Cape, from 2008. Lindiwe earned her PhD in Chemistry from Stellenbosch University in 2004 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the University of the Western Cape in 2022. Her research focuses on biomass and waste valorisation for sustainable renewable energy applications within the circular economy framework. Lindiwe is an accomplished scholar who has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals and contributed to specialised books. She has presented her work at numerous international conferences. As a mentor and educator, she has successfully supervised multiple MSc and PhD students, fostering the next generation of scientists in her field. Lindiwe has played an active role in academic leadership, serving on various faculty committees and National Research Foundation (NRF) panels in South Africa. Her contributions to the scientific community were recognised in 2013 when she received the Department of Trade and Industry’s Technology Award for Outstanding Black Researcher in her field. Lindiwe is a professional member of several organisations, including the South African Chemical Institute (SACI), the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), and the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).

Francois van Schalkwyk
University of Cape Town; HySA Catalysis 

Francois is a Chemical Engineer by profession and has more than 12 years of experience in the hydrogen industry, specialising in electrochemical sub-components (Membrane Electrode Assemblies), material design, product development and process engineering. He is a co-inventor of several catalyst and -MEA technologies emanating from the HySA Catalysis program and HyPlat. His career started at the South African Council for Mineral Technologies (Mintek), where he contributed to HySA Catalysis’ fuel cell objectives as Research Engineer. Thereafter he joined HyPlat, where he directed operations, MEA manufacturing, quality control and product development – making him the lead technical contact for the company. Francois is currently focussing on research and technology development of fuel cell technologies at the University of Cape as Key Technology Specialist and head of the FC group. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt improvement practitioner, holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and is currently working towards his doctorate degree in the same engineering discipline.

Zanele Mavuso Mbatha,
CEO, Bambili Energy       

Zanele Mavuso Mbatha has over 28 years of work experience in the renewable energy, mining, and financial markets. She is the CEO of Bambili Energy, a hydrogen energy solutions provider and manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell systems and their sub-components. On behalf of Bambili, Zanele is:

• Co-leading the development of the fuel cell industry in South Africa through the development of the:
• First Hydrogen Corridor in South Africa in partnership with South African and international corporations for the roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell trucks and buses
• First Hydrogen Valley in South Africa in partnership with the South African Government and local and international corporations for hydrogen economic hubs
• The first hydrogen fuel cell training programme in Africa, graduating 35 engineers and technicians.

• Zanele was previously Head of Financial Markets at the SA Reserve Bank, the unit which manages the   country’s foreign reserves and implements South Africa's monetary policy.
• Zanele is the former CEO of Incwala Resources, a platinum mining company in South Africa. Zanele was also a Co-founder and Director of Dema Group, a majority shareholder in Incwala Resources.
• Zanele is also the former Executive Director of Abt Associates Inc., where she co-established its regional office for southern Africa and was responsible for advising the South African government on the telecommunication and transportation sectors.
• Before Abt Associates, Zanele was an Investment Banker at Salomon Brothers and J.P. Morgan Inc. in New York City, USA.
• Zanele is a graduate of Mills College, Oakland, California, USA.
• Zanele has served as Non-Executive Director and Chairman on several boards, including Lonplats (a subsidiary of Lonmin Plc), Hollard Insurance, Dema Group, and Incwala Resources.
• Zanele has received awards from the World Economic Forum and Aspen Global Leadership Network.

  ---

Submit an Abstract

Abstract submissions are now open!

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Committee is inviting you to submit an abstract for presentation at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell 2025 conference.

Why submit an abstract?

• Enhance your professional image
• Draw attention to the accomplishments of your company.
• Provide the industry with your case studies, knowledge, and experience.
• Inform colleagues, policymakers, and researchers about your progress.
• Provide fresh chances for cooperation for the benefit of the sector.

Submission process

Abstracts will be subject to peer review, the committee will decide whether to accept or decline the submissions. Relevance to the conference theme, accuracy and uniqueness of ideas, contribution significance, and presentation quality are among the selection factors. Download abstract submission template

Accepted abstract authors are then able to submit a full paper. Download paper guidelines

Please note

• All accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings and presented during technical sessions
• All presenting authors are required to register, pay the author registration fee and attend the conference.

Key Dates

• Submission of abstracts deadline 31 January 2025
• Submission of papers deadline: 28 February 2025

 Please email abstracts to Gugu Charlie: Conferences and Events Coordinator, SAIMM at gugu@saimm.co.za

abstracts received

Download the abstracts received...

REGISTRATION FEES

Early bird registration valid until 7 January 2025

Kindly note, registration closes on 2 April 2025. Please note late registrations will incur a R500 administration fee for registrations received after the closing date.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS...

Technical Visit

Cost: R200
Register Here...
Download the Mintek visit brochure...

Programme

Download the preliminary programme

CONTACT

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Camielah Jardine, Head of Conferences and Events
E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538-0237
Web: www.saimm.co.za