MEET THE
SPEAKERS
Prof Antoine Bagula
Head of Department: Computer Science Programme | University of Western Cape
Prof. Antoine Bagula is an Associate Professor at the University of the Western Cape, bringing decades of extensive academic and technical expertise in networking, network security, and communication systems. He holds a highly distinguished academic record, including an MEng in Computer Engineering from Université catholique de Louvain, an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Stellenbosch, and a PhD in Communication Systems from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). His prolific career spans senior lecturing roles at the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, alongside a long-term consultancy with the ICTP. Professor Bagula’s extensive industry and research footprint includes serving as Chief Technical Officer for High Technology Services and Management (HSM) in the DRC, coordinating the Congo Scientific Network, and driving international ICT initiatives, such as designing open-access optical internet infrastructure.
KEYNOTE : THE ROLE OF AI IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Mr Blessing Sibanda
Intermediate Software Engineer | Entelect
Mr Blessing Sibanda is a Software Engineer and Researcher with extensive expertise across the software development lifecycle, specialiSing in web, desktop, and Android applications. A DAAD scholar, he holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from NUST Namibia and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the Harare Institute of Technology. His research profile includes advanced work in computer vision for agriculture and natural language processing (NLP) for low-resource languages as an NLP Researcher with Masakhane, where he pioneered novel machine translation, Named Entity Recognition (NER), and Part-of-Speech (POS) datasets for the Shona language. Alongside his professional role as an Intermediate Software Engineer at Entelect, he is actively embedded in the regional AI ecosystem as a Co-Organizer for the Deep Learning IndabaX Zimbabwe.
TECHNICAL TALK : NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING FOR INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Prof Hossanna Twinomurinzi
4IR Professor & Vice Dean | Research, Innovation & Internationalisation |Centre for Applied Data Science
College of Business & Economics | University of Johannesburg
Prof. Hossana Twinomurinzi is a C1-rated NRF Researcher and Distinguished Professor of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Digitisation at the Centre for Augmented Intelligence and Data Science, University of South Africa (UNISA). He holds an exceptionally diverse academic foundation, including a PhD in Information Technology and an MSc in Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering from the University of Pretoria. His highly influential research in augmented intelligence, digital skills, and ICT for Development (ICT4D) has directly shaped national digital policy in South Africa and contributed to global reports for both the World Bank and the United Nations. Beyond his extensive academic leadership—which includes supervising over 20 doctoral students and serving in senior executive roles at the University of Johannesburg—he brings wide-ranging international corporate and consultative management experience spanning South Africa, England, Eswatini, and Uganda.
PANEL DISCUSSION (PANELIST): AI Ethics and Bias in the African Context
Mrs Olivia Haenert
Digital Transformation Technical Expert, Strategy Projects & Transformation Department | Bank of Namibia
Mrs Olivia Haenert is the Deputy Director for Digital Transformation and Innovation at the Bank of Namibia, bringing over a decade of robust experience within the information technology and services industry. An alumna of the Namibia University of Science and Technology, she holds an MBA in Management Strategy, a CISA certification, and is a Certified Scrum Master. Her extensive professional expertise spans robotic process automation (RPA) leadership, business process mapping, and fintech regulatory innovation, built upon a strong career trajectory in process engineering and business analysis across leading financial institutions.
TECHNICAL TALK: AI USE CASES IN CENTRAL BANKING
Vivette Rittmann
Namibian Internet Governance Forumn (NamIGF) Working Group Member
Ms Vivette Rittmann is an Executive Consultant specialising in strategy, digital governance, policy, and data literacy, with extensive experience bridging leadership vision with actionable outcomes across Namibia's digital landscape. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Culture from Utrecht University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Rhodes University. Her distinguished professional footprint includes serving as the Deputy Chair of the Namibia Internet Governance Forum and working as a Co-Creation Facilitator for NUST Namibia. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded strategic public-private initiatives such as the Namibia Innovation !Hub and Scale Up Namibia, while actively contributing to national digital policies, start-up ecosystems, and stakeholder engagement.
PANEL DISCUSSION (MODERATOR): AI Ethics and Bias in the African Context
Dr Annastasia Shipepe
Lecturer: Department of Computing, Mathematical & Statistical Sciences | University of Namibia
Dr Annastasia Shipepe is a Lecturer at the University of Namibia, boasting over a decade of dedicated experience within the higher education and systems analysis sector. An advanced computing scholar, she holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Eastern Finland, a Master of Computer Science in Gamification from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and a first-class Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science and Information Technology from the University of Namibia. As a techie, artificial intelligence, robotics, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) enthusiast, her research and teaching focus heavily on designing engaging, human-centric technological frameworks.
PANEL DISCUSSION (PANELIST): AI Ethics and Bias in the African Context
Mr Fredy Embashu
Data Scientist | Standard Bank Namibia
Mr Fredy Embashu is the Head of Cirrus Data & Analytics at Cirrus Capital, a leading financial firm in Namibia, where he steers the design and deployment of advanced data-driven systems.Deeply integrated into academia as well, he serves as a lecturer within the Department of Applied Mathematics and the Faculty of Computing and Informatics at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).Holding a Bachelor of Applied Science, he combines core mathematical rigor with practical data analysis tools to solve complex ecosystem challenges.His development work spans building regional Know Your Customer (KYC) technical architecture and actively advocating for the strategic integration of advanced machine learning and language model tools to accelerate economic decision-making across Namibia.
PANEL DISCUSSION (PANELIST): AI Ethics and Bias in the African Context
Ms Fideria Ndapopile
Business Analyst | MTC
Ms Fideria JT is a full-stack Business Analyst at MTC Namibia, possessing over six years of robust industry experience operating at the intersection of data engineering, data analytics, and enterprise technology. An alumna of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), she holds an Honours degree in Computer Science alongside specialised training in advanced data visualisation tools like Tableau. Her extensive technical background spans leading data management teams within enterprise data warehouses, constructing real-time data pipelines, and utilizing Python and SQL to resolve complex operational inefficiencies within the telecommunications and fintech sectors.
TECHNICAL TALK:AI an African Games
Mr Naftali Indongo
Lecturer : Department: Software Engineering | NUST
Mr Naftali Ndeapo Indongo is an ML & AI Engineer, Data Scientist, and AI Researcher who serves as a Lecturer of Artificial Intelligence at NUST Namibia and an Associate Researcher under the UNESCO Chair in Digital Technology Design with Indigenous People. A highly distinguished scholar, his academic journey includes being named both a Google DeepMind Scholar and a MasterCard Foundation Scholar. He holds a first-class academic foundation with a BSc (Honours) in Applied Mathematics from the University of Namibia, an MSc in Mathematical Sciences from Stellenbosch University, and a specialized MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence from the same institution. His extensive professional background spans nearly a decade in higher education—having previously lectured at the University of Namibia—alongside active industry practice as a Data Scientist for Ishango.ai, where he builds operational delivery pipelines using DevOps, DataOps, and MLOps frameworks.
WORKSHOP : Introduction to Machine Learning with Python
Ms Ruusa Ipinge
Lecturer: Department of Informatics | NUST
Ms Ruusa Ipinge is an accomplished data professional, Data Protection Officer (DPO), and educator with an extensive track record in data governance, machine learning, and security auditing. She holds a Master of Data Science for Business from the University of Stirling, a Postgraduate Certificate in Information System Audit, and an Honours degree in Informatics—where she was awarded Best Research Student and Best Overall Honours Student in 2015. Her academic foundation is further supported by a B.Tech in System Administration and Networking and a series of professional certifications, including Certified Information Privacy Technology (CIPT) and ISO/IEC 27001.
WORKSHOP : Introduction to Machine Learning with Python
Prof José G. Quenum
Professor : Software-Engineering | NUST
Professor José Ghislain Quenum is a Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Software Engineering at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), bringing a wealth of international research and teaching expertise to the event. He holds an exceptionally rigorous academic foundation, including an MSc in Computer Science from Paris Dauphine University and a PhD in Computer Science from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI). Co-founder and Lead Developer for InteraXions since 2013, his career spans elite global appointments, including lecturing at the University of the Witwatersrand, acting as a Senior Lecturer at Makerere University, and conducting advanced systems research at the University of Hamburg and the National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo. Professor Quenum's extensive research portfolio sits at the cutting edge of multi-agent coordination, distributed systems, Big Data architectures, and artificial intelligence, where he specialises in algorithmic game theory, executable specifications for program correctness, and smart infrastructure middleware.
PART A: LIGHTNING TALK: 10 minutes
PART B: TECHNICAL TALK: The Julia programming language in the AI landscape
Prof Attlee M. Gamundani
Associate Professor: Cybersecurity | NUST
Prof Attlee Munyaradzi Gamundani is an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), possessing over a decade of extensive experience spanning higher education teaching, academic research, and cyber capacity building across Africa. A Senior Member of the IEEE, he holds a first-class academic foundation comprising a BSc (Honours) in Information Systems from Midlands State University, an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Zimbabwe, and a PhD in Computer Science from NUST. His professional footprint includes serving as an Advisory Board Member and Non-Executive Director for the Pan African Information Communication Technology Association (PAICTA), a Country Representative for the Responsible AI Network-Africa (RAIN-Africa), and a Technical Sub-Committee Member representing Team Africa for the International Cybersecurity Challenge. As an active AIoT and ethical AI researcher who co-founded the Namibia National Cybersecurity Competition, Professor Gamundani has secured over $70,000 in research grants, maintaining visiting academic appointments across elite continental institutions to advocate for secure, inclusive, and ethically governed digital ecosystems.
PART A: LIGHTNING TALK: 10 minutes
PART B: PANEL DISCUSSION 2 (PANELIST) : Technology, Research and Innovation: Building a Thriving AI Ecosystem in Namibia
Mr Benjamin Akinmoyeje
PhD Student : Informatics | NUST
Mr Benjamin Akinmoyeje is an Informatics PhD Research Student and Researcher at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), specializing in the fields of Health Informatics and ICT for Development (ICT4D) in developing countries. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Lagos and has enhanced his technical acumen through specialized training, including a Cybersecurity certification from the Diplo Foundation. With a robust professional background spanning over a decade in global health and engineering sectors, he has served as an M&E and eHealth Advisor, as well as an ICTD & IT Manager for the USAID-funded CaTSS project under Management Sciences for Health. Throughout his career, he has excelled at developing strategic frameworks that maximize the use of information communication and mobile technologies to achieve impactful public health outcomes, designing institutional ICT guidelines, and training health professionals in data utilization. His core research and technical interests lie at the vital intersection of open data, data science, public health interoperability, and persuasive technologies.
FIRESIDE CHAT (MODERATOR): Leveling up with LLMs: A Student Perspective on AI-Powered Learning
Mr Benson Ntembo
Faculty of Computing and Informatics Student | NUST
Mr Benson Ntembo is an emerging computing scholar and information security researcher currently pursuing advanced postgraduate research in the region.He holds a strong academic foundation in technical computing domains, establishing an empirical footprint in analyzing the operational and socio-technical variables of digital environments.His specialized research portfolio focuses heavily on information security practices, data ethics, and user behavioral analysis within higher education contexts.In particular, his co-authored academic work investigates the systemic driving forces, structural vulnerabilities, and behavioral patterns regarding student involvement in cybercrime, aiming to develop robust mitigation frameworks and proactive digital policies to preserve systemic trust and institutional resilience.
FIRESIDE CHAT: Leveling up with LLMs: A Student Perspective on AI-Powered Learning
Ms Ndinelago Nashandi
Lecturer : Software Engineering | NUST
Ms Ndinelago Nashandi is a Lecturer in Software Engineering at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), an active IT consultant, and a dedicated project manager with over twelve years of extensive higher education teaching experience. A PhD Candidate in Computer Science, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems and Technologies in Administrative Management from Tver State Technical University, a Master's degree in Computer Science from NUST, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. As a developer and tech enthusiast, her professional and academic interests lie at the core of backend systems engineering, with technical expertise spanning socket programming, Docker products, and scalable system deployment pipelines.
KEYNOTE : GOOD MORNING NAMIBIA
Mr Michael Singiso
Faculty of Computing and Informatics Student | NUST
Mr Michael Singiso is an emerging computing scholar, software developer, and data science researcher currently expanding his academic footprint within Namibia's higher education sector. He possesses a solid technical foundation in information systems, distributed databases, and machine learning models. His academic research portfolio centers heavily on building inclusive technology architectures, evaluating localized data pre-processing pipelines, and investigating the governance variables of automation tools in developing regions. Driven by a passion for creating software systems that solve real-world operational challenges, he combines core programming proficiency with applied data science frameworks to support the local tech ecosystem.
FIRESIDE CHAT: Leveling up with LLMs: A Student Perspective on AI-Powered Learning
Ms Linda Patauli
Faculty of Computing and Informatics Student | NUST
Ms Linda Patauli is an emerging computing scholar, data science researcher, and software analyst based in Namibia. She possesses a solid foundational background in software engineering principles, modern database administration, and user interface design. Her academic and research interests focus on the application of predictive analytics to solve structural community challenges, human-computer interaction (HCI) variables, and data literacy initiatives within higher education frameworks. Keenly interested in using localized technology to drive grass-roots impact, she combines core computational methods with collaborative frameworks to support the growth of the regional innovation ecosystem.
FIRESIDE CHAT: Leveling up with LLMs: A Student Perspective on AI-Powered Learning
Mr Simon Ihemba
Faculty of Computing and Informatics Student | NUST
Mr Simon Ihemba is an emerging computing researcher and data science scholar completing his advanced studies within the regional higher education landscape. He has established a solid computational foundation in information systems architectures, database design, and algorithmic workflows. His current research interest is focused on the practical application of statistical modeling and machine learning techniques to extract actionable insights from localized business data. Driven by an interest in resolving operational inefficiencies, he combines core programming proficiencies with system analysis principles to contribute to the growth of Namibia's digital intelligence infrastructure.
FIRESIDE CHAT: Leveling up with LLMs: A Student Perspective on AI-Powered Learning
Ms Rachel Lazarus
Faculty of Computing and Informatics Student | NUST
Ms Rachel Lazarus is an emerging computing scholar, software analyst, and data science researcher operating within the Namibian higher education sector. She holds a strong foundational background in information technology, data structures, and database management systems. Her research and technical interests focus heavily on user-centric software design, data-driven decision-making, and the application of predictive analytics to solve localized socio-economic challenges. Passionate about leveraging data for sustainable community development, she combines applied computational methods with agile project management principles to actively support and advance Namibia's local technological innovation ecosystem.
FIRESIDE CHAT: Leveling up with LLMs: A Student Perspective on AI-Powered Learning
Ms Vanessa Maresch
Empowerment Specialist | Salt Essentials IT
Ms Vanessa 'Kasiku' Maresch is an Empowerment Specialist at Salt Essentials IT, bringing over eighteen years of corporate experience in marketing strategy, growth hacking, and technology enablement to the forefront of Namibia’s digital transformation. She studied Psychology and Marketing at the University of South Africa and holds specialised certifications in advanced modern computing, including Microsoft Copilot prompt engineering, building corporate cybersecurity awareness programs, and regulatory readiness for the EU AI Act. A self-described "5th Industrial Revolution enthusiast," her career focuses on creating customer-centric, "future-fit" organisational strategies that align commercial technology with genuine human empowerment.
PANEL DISCUSSION 2 (MODERATOR) : Technology, Research and Innovation: Building a Thriving AI Ecosystem in Namibia
Mr Medmillian Handura
Head Digital Solutions | Schoemans Office Solutions
Mr Medmillian Handura is a prominent Namibian technology executive, educational entrepreneur, and strategic development leader currently serving as the Head of Department (HOD) for Digital Solutions & Business Development at Schoemans Office Systems. In this corporate capacity, he directs complex digital transformation pipelines across Namibia, specializing in automation, software integration, data infrastructure, and digitization strategies. Beyond his corporate footprint, he is a dedicated advocate for national youth empowerment and data literacy, famously founding Oupatje—a non-profit organization that historically collaborated with global statistical bodies to pioneer the CensusAtSchool Namibia initiative to embed empirical data skills into secondary school curricula. He also serves as the Head of Development for PyroNam, an environmental technology enterprise focused on restoring savanna landscapes through sustainable bush biomass utilization.
PANEL DISCUSSION 2 (PANELIST) : Technology, Research and Innovation: Building a Thriving AI Ecosystem in Namibia
Mr Efraim Vilho
Community Manager | CC-HUB
PANEL DISCUSSION 2 (PANELIST) : Technology, Research and Innovation: Building a Thriving AI Ecosystem in Namibia
Ms Kombada Mhopjeni
National Programme Officer for Natural Sciences | UNESCO Windhoek Office
Ms Kombada Mhopjeni is the National Programme Officer for Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Windhoek Office, bringing over two decades of expert leadership in geosciences, data management, and science outreach to the forefront of national development. She holds an incredibly rich scientific and computational foundation, comprising a BSc in Geology and Biology from the University of Namibia, a BSc (Honours) in Geology from Rhodes University, a Master's Degree in Geosciences from The University of Western Australia, and a specialized Certificate in Geo-Informatics from the University of Twente. Before her high-level deployment to UNESCO, she dedicated nearly nineteen years to the Geological Survey of Namibia within the Ministry of Mines and Energy, where she rose through the ranks from Geologist to Deputy Director of Geo-Information. Her professional mastery uniquely positions her at the critical intersection of remote sensing, spatial data infrastructures, and international scientific cooperation across the Southern African region.
REMARKS: UNESCO
Mr Luciano Frans Haingura
Lecturer : Computer Science | NUST
Mr Luciano Frans Haingura is the Business Process & Data Analyst for Strategy & Corporate Affairs at NamWater, bringing over twelve years of deep corporate and academic expertise in data migration, enterprise ETL systems, and business optimization to the platform. He holds an exceptionally comprehensive computing foundation from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), encompassing a Diploma in Information Technology, a Bachelor of Information Technology in Software Engineering, a Bachelor of Computer Science Honours specialized in Mobile Development, a Master of Computer Science, and a professional Certificate in Big Data Technologies. His professional background spans nearly a decade as a Data Analyst and Data Migration Specialist for Telecom Namibia, running concurrently with robust contributions to higher education as a Big Data Specialist Lecturer and Software Engineering Lecturer at NUST.
MASTER OF CEREMONY
DEEP LEARNING INDABA
OVERVIEW
What is Deep Learning Indaba ?
The Deep Learning Indaba is the annual meeting of the African machine learning and AI community. Since 2017, our mission has been to Strengthen African AI, and to ensure that Africans are owners and shapers of the coming advances in AI. As an educational charity, our work focuses on learning, teaching, research, and the role work of peer learning and community building.
In 2024, The Deep Learning Indaba will be held in Dakar, Senegal from the 1st to the 7th of September at Amadou Mahtar Mbow university (UAM).
The theme for this edition is “Xam Xamlé”
ATTEND
INDABA X NAMIBIA
Shape the Future of African AI—Join Us In-Person or Online!
Welcome to Deep Learning IndabaX Namibia, the premier gathering for grassroots artificial intelligence and machine learning innovation. Whether you are joining us on-site to network with local pioneers or tuning in virtually from across the globe, you are part of a vibrant ecosystem driving digital sovereignty, local capacity building, and state-of-the-art research. Secure your spot today and help build the future of technology for Namibia and the continent.
FEATURED PARTNERS:
