The Council consists of:
- a Chairperson appointed by the Minister;
- the Chief Executive Officer;
- an officer of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) appointed by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister of Trade and Industry;
16-20 Members appointed by the Minister after consultation with the Minister’s Committee, and after submission to the Cabinet for notification.
The members of NACI, other than the CEO and the officer from DTI, are appointed in their personal capacity due to their outstanding achievement in any field of Science & Technology, or in the context of innovation, special knowledge, experience and insight into the role and contribution of innovation, in promoting and achieving national and provincial objectives.
The chairperson of NACI has direct access to the Minister and members of the Minister’s Committee to submit and discuss any report of NACI, any minutes of a meeting of NACI, or any other matter relating to the functioning of NACI.
The full Council meets four times a year.
NACI Council Members
NACI Chairperson

Mr Tilson Mphathi Manyoni
NACI Acting CEO

Dr Mlungisi Cele
Acting Chief Executive Officer
National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)
NACI Council Members

Ms Funeka Khumalo
Executive Director
Kevali Chemicals

Prof. Bavesh Kana

Dr Thulani Dlamini
Chief Executive Officer
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Mr Daniel Senzile Ndima

Prof. Tawana Kupe

Ms Kholiwe Makhohliso
Ms Nalini Maharaj
Ms Beth Arendse
Prof. Fulufhelo Nelwamondo
Chief Executive Officer
National Research Foundation (NRF)
Prof. Lynn Morris
WITS: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation