Siyabulela – or Siya as he is better known – shares the unique and almost unbelievable story of a young life which has seen him scale heights that most never even dream of.

He is the Founder and CEO of Galactic Holdings, an investment holding company focused on creating global opportunities through smart energy by developing and investing in innovative solutions to address the energy needs of emerging markets. Previously, Xuza conducted research at the Harvard Center for Nanoscale Systems and the MIT Microsystems Technology Laboratories on micro fuel cells (distributed energy that could be used to power remote and rural areas.

In 2013, his ground-breaking work on micro fuel cells was published in the Journal of Electroceramics.

Xuza

• was awarded a Fellowship to the African Leadership Network, the premier, invitation‐only community of the most dynamic and influential leaders in Africa.
• in 2011, served as the youngest member of the African Union-affiliated Africa 2.0 Energy Advisory Panel and was recognised by the World Economic Forum as “a Global Shaper”.
• work was recognised by the former US First Lady, Michelle Obama, the Nobel Foundation and the NASA-affiliated Lincoln Laboratory which named a minor planet, “Siyaxuza (2312)”, in his honour for a first place at the 2007 Intel Science and Engineering Fair.
• in 2017, was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe, the highest honour bestowed upon a South African citizen, for his excellent contribution to scientific innovation at an early stage.

Born in South Africa, Xuza holds a BSc in Engineering Sciences, from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University.