Mr Kennedy Chihota is a professionally registered engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), meeting the statutory requirements for senior engineering leadership roles in the country. He brings a rare combination of technical depth, executive leadership, and public-sector experience to his role as Managing Director of ERWAT.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and four Master’s degrees from leading institutions in South Africa and Zimbabwe:

• Master’s in Water Resources Engineering and Management – University of Zimbabwe
• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) – University of Zimbabwe
• Master’s in Property Development – University of the Witwatersrand
• Master’s in Engineering – University of Stellenbosch

Mr Chihota’s professional career spans both the public and private sectors, with senior leadership roles at major municipal and national utilities, including Johannesburg Water, the City of Ekurhuleni, and the City of Cape Town. He has also served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Limpopo, contributing to engineering education and capacity development.

As Managing Director of ERWAT, Mr Chihota provides executive leadership across the organisation, with responsibility for strategy, operations and regulatory performance.

Ms Zimasa Socikwa is a Chartered Secretary and governance professional with extensive experience in municipal entity oversight, compliance, and shareholder governance within South Africa’s public sector.

She holds a CCSA qualification from the Chartered Governance Institute of South Africa, a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Transkei, a Credit Diploma from the Institute of Bankers (IOB), and an LLB. She has also completed a Management Programme in Municipal Finance Management at Wits Business School.

Ms Socikwa has served in senior governance and shareholder oversight roles at both the City of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane, where she was responsible for municipal entity governance, compliance, and shareholder representation. Prior to her local government experience, she worked at National Treasury and within the Absa Group, gaining strong exposure to public finance, banking, and regulatory environments.