4 minutes with… Bongani Cibi, Chairman & CEO, Lotavha renewable energy consulting & engineers cc

February 18, 2015 |

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

Lotavha’s main activities are Biomass and Solar products. On Biomass our focus Is on Bio coal using Torrefaction to produce the Bio coal and also focussing on Biodiesel production but will be using UCO to produce Bidiesel we still waiting for the license we hope to start producing biodiesel by 2015. Partners from Belgium on Solar products.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

Rolling out our Solar products next year with our partners from Belgium we have 2 products namely Intergrated Street Lights as well as Smart RoofTiles.

The Biodiesel Is also at an advance stage whereby the South African Government Is realizing the need for clean fuel hence the 1st of October next year as our target period to be up and running to produce the Biodiesel for blending by gasoline producers in south africa.

Persuethe local power utility and to get the Government buy-in on Torrefied wood pellet as the best option to cofire power stations as oppose to using coal as the government has spent so much money to build new coal-fired power stations which are 3 year late to star generating electricity. South Africa Is under tremendous pressure with power as the country Is running low on capacity and another set back Is the government Is planning on spending 6 Trillion for Nuclear power generating project which I think It’s a non-starter.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?  

The Industry must soldier on and press hard to have the buy ins of politicians to ubderstand that we need to leave clean world for future generations to come.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change? 

I would sincerely change the way we generate fuel but press for clean fuel fossil both in biodiesel and the way we generate electricity by using Biomass to convert Agricultural residue Into Bio Coal use of Torrefied wood pallets, by planting trees to produce biodisel like the Jatropha trees etc.

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?  

The Industry Is good because It updates us about new innovations and technologies that are there to compel politicians to think better for the future generations as well and to shift the paradigm.

Where are you from? 

I was In a small town called Benoni In the eastern part of Johannesburg where I spend part of my childhood I then moved to Kwa-Zulu Natal.

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?

English, Afrikaans, Biology and Chemistry. I attended school In St. Francis College In Marrianhill. Pinetown It was and It’s still Is the best school under the Roman Catholic.

Who do you consider your mentors – could be personal, business, or just people you have read about and admire. What have you learned from them?

The African Billionair Nigerian Mr.Dangota and South African Patrice Motsepe also a Billionair.

Hard working and humble.

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?  

Is to fall and rise again and ‘Ora et Labora’

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry?  

Staying at the gym and working out.

What are 3 books you’d want to have with you, if you were stranded on a desert island

Information about Bioeconomy books. New Innovations about Telecommunications.New Technology about Atmospheric Water Generating equipments.

What books or articles are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?  

Engineering Books. Article about Multi Cell phone tablet charging stations.Mobile charging gadget.

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?  

Mallorca, Spain Madrid, Barcelona.

Category: Million Minds

Thank you for visting the Digest.