Ayanda Mahanjana

Bio

I am Ayanda Mahanjana, a Candidate GISc Technician with over 11 years of experience in the public sector, specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). My career has been largely shaped by my tenure at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), where I have been actively involved in various environmental programs, most notably the Working for Water initiative focused on invasive alien species clearing.

I hold an Honours degree in Applied Remote Sensing and GIS from the University of Fort Hare. Currently, I am part of the National Oceans and Coastal Information Management System (OCIMS) team within the Oceans and Coast Branch. My role, amongst others encompasses data management and stakeholder engagement, which are crucial to achieving the objectives of OCIMS. This project aligns with the Operation Phakisa initiative, specifically its Marine Protection Services and Oceans Governance workstream. As part of this initiative, I contribute to the action plan regarding the development of a comprehensive national ocean and coastal information system as well as extending Earth observation capabilities—all aimed at unlocking the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans as endorsed by Cabinet.