Dr. Sandile Mbatha has spent over 15 years working at the intersection of data, digital transformation, and governance. His career has been defined by a commitment to using data and technology to make government more responsive, efficient, and people centred.
As National Chief Data Officer at the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), he leads the development of the National Strategic Hub – a platform that positions data as critical infrastructure to enhance planning, service delivery, and governance across South Africa’s municipalities.
Additionally, he heads SM Digital, a consultancy that designs and implements solutions to help organisations across the public, private, and civil society sectors navigate complex challenges through data-driven approaches.
Sandile established the award-winning eThekwini Strategic Hub, developed the city’s first Digital Twin in partnership with Bremen, and secured international grants to advance urban innovation. Earlier in his career, he worked with UN-Habitat and in academia, where he taught, supervised, and published research exploring how data and urban systems can contribute to more inclusive futures.
His contributions have been recognised through accolades such as Technology Leader of the Year and Data Analyst Leader of the Year. Sandile continues to share his insights globally as a keynote speaker and holds a PhD in Architecture and Town Planning from the University of Stuttgart.
DataIQ asked: “How do you see the role of the data leader evolving over the next 12-24 months?”
“The role of data leaders needs to drastically change in the next 24 months. The most successful ones will stop talking about data and AI and will focus on solutions; data and AI are just tools and ingredients for developing solutions. Successful data leaders will be those who find ways to demystify data while elevating its importance for building inclusive and reliable solutions.
“The next few years will require data leaders to move beyond just technical prowess but to find intricate ways to use data as a catalyst for bringing various business units into unified strategic direction. They will become more than just data leaders but would need to become data strategists and solutionists.”