Sandile Mbatha is a newly appointed National Chief Data Officer responsible for integrating country-level data and extracting value for strategic decision-making. His work is intended to support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the District Development Model in South Africa. He is responsible for driving integrated city-level data processes for strategic decision-making.

As part of this work, Sandile Mbatha has established strategic partnerships for building an inclusive data ecosystem necessary for supporting an insight-driven city. He is also part of the team using a data-centered approach towards SDG institutionalisation and indicator localisation with the aim of building a reliable SDG monitoring system for eThekwini Municipality. He has led the establishment of eThekwini’s award-winning and first-ever data platform referred to as the Strat Hub – and also known as the City’s Single Source of Truth.

He holds a Ph.D. in Architecture and Town Planning from the University of Stuttgart, which focused on informal transactions in low-income housing in South Africa.  Sandile’s work on the Strat Hub has received numerous recognition locally and abroad.