Ngonidzashe Mangoro - Urbanisation and Solid Waste Management - Best Researcher Award

University of the Witwatersrand - South Africa

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

AREAS OF RESEARCH FOCUS AND PROFESSIONAL INTEREST

Ngonidzashe Mangoro's research spans diverse and critical areas such as Climate Change, Environmental Sustainability, and Social and Environmental Justice. His professional interests also cover Natural Resources Governance, Waste Governance, and Environmental Policy Analysis. Mangoro's expertise extends to Agri-Food Systems, Heritage Geographies, and the Decolonisation of the Built Environment. Additionally, he has a keen interest in Late Iron Age Archaeology in Africa, reflecting his broad engagement with both contemporary and historical environmental issues.

EDUCATION

Ngonidzashe Mangoro holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand (2024), following an MSc in Geography and Environmental Studies from the same institution (2021). He completed his BA Hons in Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, and Museum Studies at Midlands State University in May 2013, graduating with Upper Second Class Honors. His academic background underpins his extensive research and teaching roles in the field.

PROFESSIONAL TEACHING APPOINTMENTS

From 2021 to 2023, Mangoro served as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. He taught both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including Environmental Governance, Thinking Geographically, Food: Security, Politics and Culture, Space and Society, Earth and Atmospheric Processes, Theory and Practice in Sustainability Science, and Economic Geography. His contributions in this role were highly regarded, with notable achievements including co-authoring articles for high-impact journals and being involved in significant projects such as the South African Water Research Commission Sanitation Project.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA

Before his academic roles, Mangoro worked as a Science Communicator and Project Coordinator at Sci Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg from 2016 to 2021. In this capacity, he managed various projects, including project recruitment and quality assurance, and taught environmental sustainability concepts. He also held a role as a Freelance Heritage and Environmental Consultant from May 2017, managing projects that required expert studies, particularly in construction and mining in Johannesburg.

ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Ngonidzashe Mangoro has published several impactful papers, including "Community Perceptions on the Impacts of Solid Waste Management on Human Health and the Environment in Sub-Saharan African Cities" in Development Southern Africa and "An Assessment of Literature on Construction and Demolition Waste Management Barriers in Sub-Saharan Africa" in the International Journal of Environment and Waste Management. His work also covers wetland changes in Gauteng, South Africa, demonstrating his contribution to advancing knowledge in environmental and heritage studies.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Mangoro's professional journey is marked by significant achievements, including his impactful contributions to environmental and heritage consulting, as well as his effective project management at Sci Bono Discovery Centre. His ability to shift between roles and his strong work ethic have earned him recognition and opportunities for further development within his professional spheres.

RESEARCH AND CONSULTING EXPERIENCE

With a background in both research and practical consulting, Mangoro has conducted in-depth studies on indigenous communities and their heritage, managed data and compliance procedures in heritage consulting, and contributed to the development of impactful environmental policies. His experience is a testament to his dedication to advancing both academic and applied aspects of environmental and heritage research.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Title: Exploring Wetland Change in the Gauteng Province, South Africa

Authors: Mangoro, N., Kubanza, N.S., Simatele, M.D.
Year: 2024

Title: Community Perceptions on the Impacts of Solid Waste Management on Human Health and the Environment in Sub-Saharan African Cities: A Study of Diepsloot, Johannesburg, South Africa

Authors: Mangoro, N., Kubanza, N.S.
Year: 2023
Journal: Development Southern Africa

CURRENT ROLE AS DEPUTY CISO AT HQ NADRA PAKISTAN 🔒

Sabir Ali Changazi is currently serving as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at HQ NADRA Pakistan. In this role, he strategizes security policies and procedures, oversees disaster recovery and business continuity planning, and supervises the Security Operations Center (SOC) platform. His leadership extends to managing the Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) efforts, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), and Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) teams, ensuring robust data security and incident documentation.

SENIOR IT MANAGER AT DEFENSE DATA CENTRE 🖥️

From August 2020 to August 2024, Sabir was the Senior IT Manager at the Defense Data Centre, where he provided technical supervision for system engineers managing data center devices, storage, and networking equipment, including Cisco and Juniper products. He also served as an IT advisor, implementing IT and cybersecurity measures, showcasing his expertise in technical supervision and strategic IT management.

EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS 🏆

Sabir's career is highlighted by several prestigious achievements. He secured 1st position in a foreign IT course in the USA, earning the Dexter Award for distinction at the US Cyber Centre of Excellence, Fort Gordon, Georgia. Additionally, he ranked 2nd in the BISE Bannu during the FSc Annual Examination and received the Presidential Award from the Government of Pakistan for top performance in the HSSC Examination from the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

SENIOR INFO SECURITY ENGINEER AT IT DIRECTORATE 🔐

Between April 2017 and July 2020, Sabir served as the Senior Info Security Engineer and Team Lead at the IT Directorate. His responsibilities included operating the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, managing the Security Operations Center (SOC), detecting and mitigating threats, and handling incident management and response, thereby strengthening the organization's cybersecurity posture.

TEAM LEAD AT DEFENSE DATA CENTRE: NETWORKS & INFO SECURITY 🛡️

From June 2014 to March 2017, Sabir was the Senior Network and Info Security Engineer and Team Lead at the Defense Data Centre. He managed and supervised technical resources for data center devices, storage, and networking equipment, focusing on routine operations and maintenance. His expertise with Cisco and Juniper technologies ensured the seamless operation and security of the data center infrastructure.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP 💼

Sabir is known for his effective organizational skills, in-depth knowledge of networking technologies, and commitment to driving organizational success. His experience in IT project management, motivation, and guidance for both colleagues and clients has established him as a leader in his field, capable of tackling complex cybersecurity challenges and leading technical teams to success.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE 🚀

With a career marked by excellence in cybersecurity and network engineering, Sabir Ali Changazi is poised to continue making significant contributions to the field. His dedication to innovation, security, and leadership drives his ongoing efforts to enhance organizational resilience and protect critical information infrastructures.