About me
Africa's development is tied to my heart and identity.
I’m Hesphina Rukato, Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Wits School of Governance.
I established Hesphina.com as a platform to share experiences, knowledge, ideas, views and resources related to Africa's development and transformation.
According to the African Union vision, Africa's development and transformation require a lot of financial, technological, human and leadership resources. The application of these resources also has to be strategic and sequentially planned to secure an irreversible impact on the continent's development.
Some ideas and conversations are already taking place in various spaces and platforms. Hesphina.com focuses on the areas that are fundamental to placing Africa on an irreversible path to transformation and development.
My work bridges continental institutions, universities, civil society and business. I have served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the African Union Commission and Deputy Chief Executive for Human Resources and Finance at the NEPAD Secretariat, bringing practical experience of policy, partnerships and institutional leadership to the conversation.
Let us engage in robust conversations.
Academic
Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Wits School of Governance, with a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand and academic experience at UNISA and the Thabo Mbeki Leadership Institute.
Speaker
Keynotes, panels and facilitation for conferences, governments, regional bodies and universities.
Consultant
Experience in AU strategic planning, NEPAD policy and capacity development, peace advocacy, natural resources governance and institutional leadership.
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Talks & keynotes
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Countries engaged
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Papers & articles
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Students taught
Academic foundations
Policy, environment & governance
My academic training connects public administration with environmental policy and the institutions that turn decisions into lasting change.
- PhD · Environmental Management Standards (ISO 14001)
- University of the Witwatersrand · 1997–2000
- MSc · Environmental Policy and Planning
- University of Zimbabwe · 1993–1995
- BSc (Honours) · Politics and Administration
- University of Zimbabwe · 1986–1989
Selected experience
From continental policy to institutional leadership
2025
University of Johannesburg · IPATC
G20 / T20 Reference Group Chairperson
Chaired the reference group at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation during South Africa's G20 presidency.
Since 2022 · as listed in her CV
Zimbabwe Open University
Council Member & Research, Innovation and Enterprise Development Committee Chair
University governance and oversight of research, industrial innovation and enterprise development.
2019–2024
Graça Machel Trust · Network of African Business Women Zimbabwe
Board Chair
Led board strategy and initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs and business opportunities in Zimbabwe.
2019–2021
Africa Practice
Senior Expert · Peace & Security
Led private-sector engagement in support of the African Union's Silencing the Guns campaign.
2012–2014
African Union Commission
Deputy Chief of Staff
Coordinated departments, strategic initiatives and high-level meetings, supporting implementation of Cabinet decisions.
2002–2009
NEPAD Secretariat
Environment, Policy & Executive Leadership
Served in environment and tourism advisory, programmes, policy and capacity development, then as Deputy Chief Executive for Human Resources and Finance (2008–2009).
Speaking topics
What I speak about
Governance
Governance in all its forms, the foundation on which development rests.
Peace & Human Security
Security measured by whether people are safe, fed, healthy and free.
Natural Resources Governance
Turning Africa's natural wealth into shared, lasting prosperity.
Sustainable Development
Growth that serves today without borrowing from tomorrow.
Institutional & Capacity Building
Strong institutions and skilled people who make policy real.
Policy Development & Implementation
Closing the gap between good policy on paper and impact on the ground.
Conference Convenor
Pan-African Governance Forum