Mokena Makeka

South Africa

Occupational Information

Job Title: Principal at Dalberg Advisors, and Director of Makeka Design Lab

Professional History

Mokena is a Principal at Dalberg and Head of the Dalberg South Africa office. In this role, he has a particular focus on the following areas: cities and urban development; the built environment and natural infrastructure; digital communities, innovation, and entrepreneurship; transport and renewables; green livelihoods; forest economy; beyond smart cities and spatial and social transformation through design. Mokena’s mandate leverages his experience as an award-winning architect, urbanist, and design theoretician and a leading voice on entrepreneurial development, design, and urban strategy. In 2015, he founded House of Makeka, Africa’s first export-quality premium agave spirit company, fashion, and lifestyle brand. He is the founder of Makeka Design Lab, a design practice that deploys innovative design solutions at the urban, architectural, cultural, and installation scale. Mokena is passionate about Africa realizing her full political, economic and creative potential. He is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum 2015; a member of the WCS Young leaders in urbanism (Singapore) and an Aspen Fellow in Leadership 2020.

Qualifications

BArch (Hons) from the University of Cape Town.

Program

2014 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow

 Additional Tags: Architecture, Design Theoretician, Entrepreneurial Development, Fashion, Lifestyle