JK (Joel) Netshitenzhe
South African – MSC (University of London), Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Principles, Diploma in Political Science
Joel Netshitenzhe is the Executive Director and Board Vice-Chairman of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), an independent research institute dealing with strategic issues facing South Africa. Joel is a member of the National Planning Commission and the ANC National Executive Committee. Joel serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Nedbank Group and CEEFAfrica (a section 21 company dealing with tertiary education opportunities). He is also a programme pioneer of the Nelson Mandela – Champion Within Programme which is run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Life College Association. Before joining the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) as CEO in 1998, he was head of communication in President Nelson Mandela΄s office.
In addition to being GCIS CEO, he was appointed head of the Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services (PCAS) in the presidency, in 2001. He headed the PCAS on a full-time basis from 2006 until his retirement in 2009. Prior to 1994, he served in various capacities within the ANC: Radio Freedom, Mayibuye editor, member of the ANC Politico-Military Council and deputy head of the Department of Information and Publicity, and as part of the ANC negotiating team. He was appointed to the Life Healthcare board of directors in 2010.