Lulu MAKAPELA

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) • Strategic Programmes Contracts Manager for SA-GEO

Lulu Makapela has been professional in the field of aerospace for a period of over 10 years. Currently, Makapela works for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as Project and Contract Manager for the Aerospace and Composite Initiatives. With strong background and expertise in areas demanding strong project management, legal, policy and space treaty implementation focus in broader areas , particularly highly complex areas such as telecommunications, aerospace and space, earth observations and science , Ms Makapela has previously worked as Project Manager of the National Earth Observations and Space Secretariat, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology previously hosted at the CSIR, and Deputy Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Unit of the Department of Trade and Industry . She has also previously worked at the legal, international and Director-General’s office of the Department of Communications, as well as at the Scorpion Legal Protection and the National Prosecuting Authority during in the beginning of her career.

As a young professional in space , Makapela has shown her commitment and dedication to contribute in space science and tecnology and international cooperation in different ways. In 2013 , she was appointed to serve as a Member of the South african Council for Space affairs (SACSA) , a space regulatory body responsible for the regulation of space activities and serves as the Chair of the committee responsible to review the national space legislation. With a passion to attract the Africa youth to consider undertaking space science and legal related careers , she serves as a Member of the Inernational Instiute of Space Law(IISL) and is the Africa Regional Co-ordinator for the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court competition which is held annually on the Africa Continent. She is also the Co-Chair of the Africa Leadership youth Forum , which aims to promote space science among African young profffesionals and students.

In 2012, Makapela served as the Member of the organising team for the IAF IPMC organising team, which seek to look at ways to better develop and empower the next generation.

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