Hlayiseka Morgan Chauke is the Acting CEO of Liberty Coal and a respected mining executive with more than 21 years of experience across South Africa’s coal mining sector. With extensive expertise spanning underground and opencast operations, mine planning, dragline and truck-and-shovel operations, Chauke has built a reputation for disciplined leadership, operational excellence and strategic execution in some of the country’s most complex mining environments.

Before joining Liberty Coal in 2024, Chauke held senior leadership positions at Sasol Mining, BHP, Optimum Coal and Glencore, including roles as General Manager and Technical Manager overseeing large-scale operations, life-of-mine planning and major infrastructure projects. He holds a B-Tech in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg and an MBA from GIBS.

Recognised for his deep operational insight and people-focused leadership style, Chauke is passionate about building resilient mining operations, mentoring the next generation of industry leaders and shaping a more sustainable future for South African mining.

Rhulani is an accomplished banking professional whose career has been built on over 25 years of hands-on experience and steady growth within the financial services industry. Beginning as a Business Banker, he developed a strong foundation in understanding client needs and supporting business growth, which has shaped his approach to leadership today.

Over the years, he has taken on a range of senior management roles, gaining extensive experience across key customer segments, including SME, Commercial, and Premium clients, as well as across various industries. One of his notable leadership roles was heading Business Banking in the Mpumalanga Highveld region, where he successfully guided the team through the challenges of the pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 periods.

Rhulani is also deeply passionate about enterprise development and has consistently contributed to empowering businesses and fostering sustainable growth within the communities he serves. Currently, he holds the position of Regional Executive for Commercial Growth, focusing on driving growth and creating meaningful impact.

Thabang Mtsweni is a South African metallurgical engineer, energy executive, and entrepreneur who serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nkangala Energy, an independent power producer based in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mpumalanga. With a career spanning the steel, power generation, and renewable energy sectors, he has established himself as a leader in developing innovative and sustainable energy solutions that support South Africa’s industrial growth and energy security.

Mtsweni holds a Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) Degree in Metallurgical Engineering and further strengthened his technical expertise by completing a Nuclear Power Plant Auditing Programme through the Nuclear Training Institute in the United States. He began his professional career in the steel industry before advancing into management systems and quality assurance, where he gained extensive experience in industrial operations and international standards.

As a consultant to Eskom Holdings, Mtsweni contributed to several of South Africa’s flagship energy infrastructure projects, including the Kusile and Medupi Power Stations and the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme. During this time, he also played a key role in supporting Eskom’s ISO certification processes, reinforcing operational excellence and compliance with internationally recognised management systems.

Under his leadership, Nkangala Energy has grown into a diversified energy company focused on delivering cleaner, reliable, and future-ready power solutions. The company is actively developing large-scale natural gas-to-power projects, solar and wind energy facilities, battery and inverter manufacturing capabilities, and agrivoltaic developments that integrate renewable energy generation with agriculture. Its vision is to contribute to a diversified and sustainable energy mix for South Africa while expanding clean energy opportunities across the African continent.

Among the company’s flagship developments are the proposed 860 MW gas-fired power plant in the Nkangala District, developed in partnership with Tata Power, the 100 MW Emoyeni Wind Farm, and renewable energy projects extending into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, including Malawi. In 2025, Nkangala Energy announced a significant investment agreement supporting its gas-to-power project, further reinforcing its role in attracting strategic industrial investment to the Steve Tshwete region.

Through his technical expertise, strategic leadership, and commitment to sustainable development, Thabang Mtsweni continues to play an influential role in advancing South Africa’s energy transition while driving economic growth, infrastructure development, and regional energy collaboration.