Lethabo Manamela took over as interim CEO of the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) just as the Covid-19 lockdown started in March 2020, but she hasn't allowed the pandemic to get her down. She was recently presented with the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) Premier Award as the energy sector's 2021 Shapeshifter in recognition of the state-owned Sanedi's achievement in meeting 97% of its annual targets despite the pandemic's disruptions.
In addition, Sanedi achieved two years of clean audits and received the International Association of Energy Engineers 2021 Sub-Saharan Africa Region Institutional Energy Management Award.