Meet our Founders
iLima - a definition and why it is at the root of our company ethos:
“i-lima“ is an African word which describes a common community practice all over Africa, a definition can be
- hoe, plough, dig up the soil
- Cultivate, grow crops, carry on agriculture
- Communal cultivation, working-bee for cultivating (when neighbours help to cultivate a large field
- Field ploughed by communal cultivation
Wits University Zulu/English Dictionary, Doke, Malcolm, Sikakana, Vilakazi, 1993 Edition
iLima was founded on the premise
- that there is a great need for affordable homes and better living conditions for many people in Africa
- that we care for our neighbours
- that there is a convergence of technologies that can be deployed to solve this modern, man made puzzle
- that we can solve this problem by mobilizing a technology enabled construction community
- that we do care
Anthony Modena - More info
iLima CEO Africa
Anthony Modena qualified in both Engineering (Wits Technikon, Electrical - Heavy Current) and Business Management (BCom – Business Economics and Honours, Pretoria University). Mr Modena is a registered Psychometrist. He refined his experience in Power engineering and manufacturing sectors before co-founding Modena Design Centres (Pty) Ltd in 2000
2000 to date
- Co-Founder and CEO of Modena Design Centres (Pty)Ltd a leading Autodesk Partner
1995 - 1999
- PG Bison Group Technical Training Manager and Retail Branch manager
1976 - 1995
- Eskom, Power Protection Technician and Outage Manager
Other Interests and Education
- Anthony Modena has a Marketing Diploma from Wits University.
- Chaired various of the Sandton Community Police Forum Committees.
- An avid reader.
- Enjoys playing Golf.
- Enjoys reading up on military History.
Karsten Popp - More info
iLima CEO USA
Technology Roots | Revenue Growth | Global Teams | Multicultural Disruptive Innovation | Start-Ups | Venture Capital
Proven Senior Leader in Start-Ups | Multinational companies in Europe, USA and Asia
Jan 2020 - present
- CEO Holistic Innovations (Global)
Sept 2018 – Dec 2019
- Chief Revenue Officer, Bright Machines (Global), based in San Francisco. Bright Machines applies machine vision, machine learning/AI and adaptive robotics to manufacturing to enable Software-Defined Manufacturing.
2016 - present
- Venture Partner, WI Harper
2013 – Sept 2018
- Co-Founder of Holistic Innovations, an International Executive Innovation, Advisory and Consulting company
2012
- General Manager, Digital Identity Division (Global), Oberthur, based in Paris.
2003 – 2011
- Senior Vice President Sales, Autodesk (EMEA, China and India) based in Paris and San Francisco.
2001 - 2003
- Chief Executive Officer, Adelante DSP Technologies (Global), based in Eindhoven (Holland) and Leuven (Belgium).
1992 - 2001
- Vice President Sales, Mentor Graphics (EMEA), based in Paris.
1984 - 1992
- Semiconductor Division, Texas Instruments. (EMEA)
Other Experiences and Education
- Advisory Board Member of HEC Paris, a top International Business School http://www.hec.fr/
- Electronic Engineering degree from Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg.
- Former ATP tennis player; toured the international tennis circuit.
Friedl Swanepoel - More info
iLima CTO Africa
Friedl J Swanepoel heads Industri4, a company specialising in navigation, guidance and control of robots. He has gained experience from the aerospace and defence industries and now applies this knowledge in the development of autonomous mobile platforms that focus on the development of robots for the construction industry.
2014-2020 - Incomar/IDT4
- Managing Director: Industri4 (Pty) Ltd
- Project Leader: Integrated Navigation and Observation System
- Project Leader: ALEC Construction Robot
2014-2016 - Incomar /iNkwazi
- Project Leader: Micro Compass Project
2012-2014 - Incomar /TIA
- Project Manager & Systems Engineer: Marine Compass Project and Forward Observer Project
2003-2013 - Incomar
- Managing Director Incomar
- Project Manager: Inhouse FOG Improvement & Inertial Systems
1995-2003 - FSC/Incomar/CSIR
- Consultant : Inertial Sensors and Systems
- Project Manager: Establishment Medium Volume FOG Production Facility
- Managing Director: Incomar
1979-1995 - Kentron PPG
- Design Engineer,
- Systems Engineer,
- Chief Systems Engineer,
- Business Unit Manager, Inertial Systems
Academic Training
- 2001-2002 - MBA, University of Pretoria
- 1985-1986 - Kentron/University of Pretoria, Post Graduate Studies in Solid State Optical Sensors
- 1982 - Diploma in Systems Eng, Ad Sparrius
- 1980-1981 - B.Eng (Hons), University of Pretoria
- 1974-1979 - BSc.Eng, University of Pretoria
Keneiloe Mohafa - More info
Executive for Stakeholder Relations Africa
Keneiloe Mohafa is a qualified social worker who started her career as a caseworker at the Johannesburg Child Welfare Society and within a few years, was appointed Head of Department for Adoption and Foster Care. Mrs Mohafa has acquired extensive knowledge and experience within the resource development area with a strong focus on stakeholder relations. She has managed grants from international donor agencies, affirmative action and corporate social investment programmes and manager development programmes. In 1997 she was appointed head of the SA Gold Fields Foundation and later held the position of Head of Department for Community Engagement and Development for Anglo American Platinum. She is an actively serving board member for a number of organisations and is currently chairman of the Thembalethu Development NPC and the Hearts of Hope Trust.
Current
- Ivanhoe Mines Consultant: Regulatory and Social Compliance Group Human Capital
2011 to 2013
- Anglo American Platinum Head of Department - Community Engagement and Development
1997 to 2010
- Gold Fields Limited Senior Manager Social Services
1995 to 1997
- Unisys Manager Employee Development
1993 - 1995
- South African Council of Churches (SACC) Head of Department Education
1978 - 1992
- The Johannesburg Child Welfare Society and The SA National Council Child Welfare Head of Departments Adoption and Foster Care
Other Interests and Education
- Keneiloe Mohafa has a BA (Social Sciences) from the University of the North
- She holds a diploma in Management and Business Skills from the School of Business Paris and UNISA
- Board member of the Hargat Trust Nedbank Private Wealth, the Desmond Leech Trust Nedbank Private Wealth, the Nedbank Foundation and McDonald's
- Chairman of Thembalethu Development NPC and Hearts of Hope Trust
- Mrs Mohafa is fluent in English, Sesotho and isiXhosa