The Aeronautical Society of South Africa (a division of the Royal Aeronautical Society) elected its current president, the CSIR’s Marié Botha, in March 2022.
The first woman president of the Society, Marié has an invaluable network of local and international stakeholders and collaborators in industry, academia, government and science councils. These benefits, combined with her passion for local innovation, and drive for youth development, have ensured that the key activities of the society continue smoothly on the strong basis laid by her predecessors.
Marié is responsible for a basket of deliverables at the CSIR. She is programme manager for the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry, which is hosted by the CSIR.
Her office is also responsible for the implementation of the Department of Science and Innovation’s composites initiatives. She plays an important strategic role as key account manager: aerospace at the CSIR.
She is a Stellenbosch University alumnus with a Master’s degree in commerce, with particular focus on optimisation and supply chain management. Her specialisation includes technology management, techno-economics, value chain mapping, lean manufacturing and the aerospace industry.
