Our Team
At Commodore Industries, meet the driving force of seasoned professionals who are at the forefront of the energy sector's transformation. Our executive team's collective vision and expertise are fueling the journey towards a sustainable and prosperous Africa.
Strategic Acumen
Each leader brings a rich tapestry of strategic mastery in sustainable energy development and infrastructure.
Diverse Expertise
From the intricacies of financial structuring to the nuances of stakeholder relations, our team's expertise is as diverse as it is deep.
Motion & Animation
Motion Graphics Design / Animated Explainer Videos / Interactive Presentations
Innovative Drive
We're united by a common goal to innovate and execute energy solutions that set new standards in the industry.
Tokologo Phetla
Chief Executive Officer
Tokologo Phetla, otherwise known as 'the Commodore', believes in Africa. His intention is to transform it into a truly independent economic and political power through entrepreneurial leadership and industrial development. Tokologo has been an entrepreneur for over a decade now, since launching his first business as an Allan Gray scholar at the University of Cape Town at the age of 19. His entrepreneurial track record demonstrates his ability to realize success in what he sets his mind to and positions him as one of the most prolific entrepreneurs on the African continent.
Key Highlights
Age 22 – Won Best Student Entrepreneur Award with Entrepreneurs Organization, among many other accolades, https://www.sagoodnews.co.za/75-tokologo-phetla/
Age 23 – Deployed an artificial intelligence technology and won first multi-million-rand contract with a provincial government (R11m p.a.)
Age 24 – Voted the number 1 most influential young person in business in Africa, https://howsouthafrica.com/avance-medias-list-100-influential-young-south-africans/
Age 25 – AI business grows in prominence and opens operations in Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia and Kenya, https://howng.com/tag/tokologo-phetla/
Age 26 – Sold all interests in the AI and publishing businesses to focus on energy
Age 27 – Found Commodore Industries
Tshepo Phetla
CEO Advisor
With a career spanning various sectors, Mr. Phetla has held significant positions, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at North West Development Corporation (NWDC), Group Chief Operations Officer (GCOO) at Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), and Executive Manager roles at Limpopo Economic Development Enterprise (LimDev). His experience also includes academic roles at the University of Pretoria and Tshwane University of Technology, as well as administrative positions at City of Tshwane and Government Communication & Information Systems (GCIS).
Key Highlights
Diverse leadership roles in major South African companies.
Expertise in securing competitive energy contracts.
Champion of innovative financial strategies.
Andre Bakker
Chief Financial Officer
Andrè’s responsibilities as CFO include Business modelling and business development support. He is a business economist with a wealth of experience in business planning & development, financial modelling, attracting equity/venture capital, debt capital and Government incentives, unlock opportunities and growth for clients.
Key Highlights
Expert in financial modeling and investment strategies.
Adept at navigating complex financial landscapes for project funding.
Committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Gerhardt Koekoemoer
Head : Project Unit
Gerhardt is a business strategist who is solution driven with an excellent ability to surround himself with very competent people for the specific task at hand. He makes it his business to know the business environment as well as the technical aspects thereof, which is a key component for an entrepreneur. This has culminated in a successful history in the mining industry, focusing on granite, gold and coal. He has vast international experience, specifically in the diverse African business landscape and has built a large network through exports of the commodities.
Key Highlights
Over two decades of experience in the energy and mining industries.
Proven track record in project development and management.
Pivotal in advancing utility-scale BESS initiatives.
Rudolph Crous
Strategic Advisor
Rudolph (or ‘Rudie’) started his career at Eskom as a plant engineer then joined the Computational Fluid Dynamics team at the Eskom Technology Group. Joining the team at Bateman Engineering started a career designing and developing power generation projects. Several solutions using conventional and non-conventional energy sources were developed for a range of clients and over the whole African continent. Rudie then migrated to Perth, Australia where he became the Chief Mechanical Engineer Utilities (Power and Water) at WorleyParsons, then led the multi-disciplinary engineering team at BP Kwinana Refinery for a very successful turnaround in 2014/5.
Key Highlights
Led the multi-disciplinary engineering team at BP Kwinana Refinery for a successful turnaround.
Developed power generation projects using conventional and non-conventional energy sources.
Chief Mechanical Engineer for Utilities at WorleyParsons.
Thato Motlhabani
Business Development Executive
Mr. Motlhabani studied B. Com Accounting Sciences with the University of South Africa (UNISA). His background is in the field of business development and finance, of which he gained experience when he worked at South African Black Entrepreneurs Forum (SABEF). Thato is also a recipient of a WITS Business School Scholarship for a New Venture Creation Entrepreneurship Programme. Over the past 10 years, Thato has championed the Green Youth Indaba’s stakeholder relations under the Green Youth Network where he coordinated the national structures and the implementation of the programmes, driving the renewable energy agenda amongst the youth of South Africa.
Key Highlights
Recipient of a WITS Business School Scholarship for New Venture Creation Entrepreneurship Programme.
Championed the Green Youth Indaba's stakeholder relations.
Over a decade of experience in business development and finance.
Lerato Mabena
Stakeholder Management
Ms. Mabena holds a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and a degree in international relations from the University of Pretoria. She also holds an honours degree in Business administration from Southeren Business School. In addition to these, Lerato has an enviable chain of certificates obtained from successful completion of a variety of courses in the Management field.
Key Highlights
Master's degree in Business Administration.
Key player in community engagement and CSR initiatives.
Skilled in balancing stakeholder interests with corporate goals.
Our Partners