Chief Executive Officer
Pattern Matched Technologies
From Markus owning his first Apple Computer in 1981, Markus started his first private venture at 12 years old and first commercial IT business at 19 years old whilst still at university in 1989, also just at the start of the South African internet introduction.

Being entrepreneurial in nature, for more than 30 years Markus has actively participated or initiated several startups in very varied fields of commercial activity, however, IT has remained a passion since childhood.

Between 2001 and 2002, his involvement as a minority partner in the pre-cursor product development company to PMT™ as Head of Operations and IT saw the development of several keys completely unique and innovative ideas realised in both USSD and the Prepaid Airtime space. At that time, the South African WASP concept was yet to be born, and this incubator company spearheaded many of the WASP concepts in use today.

In 2008 Markus rejoined PMT™ as another Director but took a leadership role in April 2009 as PMT’s CEO, this resulted in the company’s vision and products being completely refocused. Since then, PMT™ has remained committed to delivering quality products with a key focus on innovation and low costs across multiple industry types but with a keen focus on the intersection between the mobile and financial sectors. In particular with reference to the WASP industry, he has always driven for lower consumer cost, and the removal of any consumer billed service that can lead to exploitation or abuse. Over these years Markus has led the company to see tremendous growth and innovation year on year!

One of Markus’s many personal passions is to see technology utilised in Africa and other developing regions, to improve people’s lives through technology. PMT™ is working closely with several high-profile international and local organisations and individuals to work towards achieving this goal.

Tsepang Nenzinane is a passionate professional with a demonstrated history of a decade working in the telecommunications and Information Technology industry.

With a keen focus on Digital advertising and Mobile fraud security with Cybersecurity systems, Tsepang brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. His dedication to staying current with industry trends and technological advancements ensures efficient and effective solutions for clients and organizations. He is constantly evolving and staying abreast of the latest trends to ensure delivery of optimal solutions.

What truly ignites his passion is not just the technology itself but its profound impact on businesses and individuals alike. Through years of diverse experience in the industry, Tsepang has managed to help champion an Ad-monitoring solution that is now live in 7 countries and 11 accounts and counting. His passion is for the mobile advertising eco-system and mobile security space, and roles and responsibilities over the years span from QA Tester, Digital Services Support and Marketing manager, Mobile Fraud security, and Technical support, just to mention a few.

A Chartered Management Accountant with over 15 years of extensive financial management experience in the telecommunications industry, Dylin has worked for a diverse range of organizations, including a Mobile Network Operator, a Mobile Network Consulting Firm, and a Mobile SMS provider. This unique blend of experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of telecom-specific financial areas and a strong focus on financial governance and compliance.

Thriving in dynamic environments, Dylin leverages his expertise to provide strategic financial insights and drive sound decision-making. His commitment to excellence, coupled with a passion for the industry, enables delivering innovative solutions that drive business success.

Sean has been in involved in the VAS, DCB and Carrier Wholesale market for nearly a decade, and has been actively involved with WASPA since 2018.

After working in the WASPA Compliance department for four years, he joined Sam Media in Kuala Lumpur and heads the Compliance and Quality Assurance Department, overseeing services in over 30 countries worldwide.

Dynamic Mobile Billing – Head of Commercial and Compliance

Nadia has an LLB Degree and completed her articles with a boutique law firm in Morningside, where she gained valuable experience with drafting of Commercial Agreements and negotiating with contracting Parties.

Prior to joining Oxygen8, she was an admitted Attorney within a full time legal practice specialising in Commercial litigation and Labour relations.

She has been part of the VAS Industry since 2016, when she started as Legal and Compliance Manager with Oxygen8 Communications South Africa and was responsible for the commercial agreements and account management of Content Partners. Nadia then joined Mobixone and was appointed as Executive Director for the period 2019 till 2022 before joining Dynamic Mobile Billing again (Previously known as Oxygen8) as their Head of Commercial and Compliance.

Nadia’s experience with WASPA HU’s and formal complaints has provided her with valuable insights into WASPA operations.

Rory Anderson has been in the telecommunication business for over 11 years and has made a vital impact to the business growth and success of Smartcall Technology Solutions managing all aspects of the business. His skills range from product design to implementation including but not limited to marketing. His experience gives him an in-depth knowledge of not only how the market trends are but also consumer behaviour.

His journey has also taken him to airtime distribution through the retail chains; here he was tasked with developing, integration and deployment.

Through his diverse experience he has taken the lessons learnt in South Africa and adapted the products and service in Africa. He has been integral in launching unique products in South Africa and Africa.

With billions of transactions processed under his management, Rory will be able to give invaluable input to the future requirements of the industry. His amiable nature will bide well in an industry that is often passionate. He has nursed relationships with governing bodies that affect the Wasp industry.

Rory has been integral in the support to Janene Matsukis who has been heading the WASPA Lobbying Group over four years and aided in the sustainable communication channels with the MNO’s and the WASPA members. The MNO’s recognize the channel as a powerful means of communication and negotiation with the WASPA members. Rory also believes that WASPA as a leading industry body is making great strides in ensuring that Mobile Services can continue into the future.

Co-founder member and majority shareholder of TIC IT Telecoms, Iman has over 15 years’ experience in the telecoms sector. She has held various roles in renowned organisations such as MTN, Accenture and Vodacom amongst others Her extensive skills sets include areas such as Business Intelligence (BI), Business Analysis, Business Process Management, Customer
Value Management (CVM), Billing Assurance, Mobile Applications and Business Management Consulting.

Iman has an excellent affinity for detail and new technologies coupled with a strong passion for developing people around her.

“You cannot use somebody else’s fire, you can only use your own. And in order to do that , you must believe that you have it.” Audre Lorde

Winner of MTN Women in ICT SME Award 2018

Managing Executive – WASPA

Ilonka Badenhorst is currently the Managing Executive of the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA). Ilonka holds a B.Com Law and LLB degree from the University of Johannesburg, and after completing her Articles of Clerkship, moved over into the telecommunications industry. She has also completed post graduate qualifications, focusing on Board Governance and Anti-Money Laundering and the Combating of Terrorist Financing.

Over the past decade she has held key roles in legal, compliance and regulatory management, and business development in both local and international companies. Ilonka joined WASPA in 2014 and moved to the Managing Executive position in 2021.

Dhavelin’s journey with the mobile industry started all the way back in 2004 when he worked for eXactmobile and Nokia – and mono polyphonic ringtones were a thing. He joined Oxygen8 in 2006 which was then Opera Telecom / Interactive.

Having been in the industry since 2004, with experience ranging from management, development, and customer services, Dhavelin is a highly experienced Operations Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications industry. Skilled in Mobile Communications, Mobile Payments, Business Development, ITIL, AGILE, Programming Languages, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Mobile Internet.

Analytical thinking, understanding processes and overall running of a business are key strengths that Dhavelin brings to the WASPA Board. In his current position as Operations Manager of a global aggregation business, Dhavelin’s exposure to the international landscape of the billing market requires interaction with stake holders at all different levels. From assisting developers with understanding business requirements and being able to relate how a service offering should be built, he also provides management and sales assistance with designing and scoping projects, as well as operational support of the projects on an ongoing basis.

Dhavelin’s experience and training in various methodologies underscores his ability to adapt to all facets of IT, and demonstrates his all round competence within the industry as a motivated problem solver and solutions provider.

Sipho Bengu– has 23 years of experience within the Supply Chain (Procurement) space. Sipho has worked in Management roles in various sectors i.e. Mining, Telecommunications, Building & Construction, Consulting, FMCG, Public Sector, VAS Marketing, and Financial Services sector where he is currently holding a Senior Management role as a Lead Supplier Development.

As a refined and astute negotiator and out-side the box thinker Sipho has been instrumental in reducing Cost to income ratio in the industries where he has worked before. This resulted in Total Cost saving of more than R200m in his tenure at Absa Group Procurement when he was still a Commodity Specialist looking after Technology as a Category. Sipho has an MBA, which he obtained in 2015 through Management College of South Africa. Sipho has also worked in the Middle East for a period of six months under the employ of MTN.

Sipho is part of the Supplier Development Management team within Absa, which looks at Supplier Diversity Transformation, which seeks to provide SMME’s business opportunities within the Bank. By providing SD financial lending opportunities so that SMME’s (Small Medium Entities) can grow their businesses, and create jobs. This is in line with Absa’s group strategy, which talks to “Play a Shaping role in Society”.

Quote: “Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard and then succeed on purpose” author unknown.