Dr Thabo Manetsi, has recently been elected as Chairperson of ICOMOS-SA. He is currently the Acting CEO at the National Heritage Council. Previously Dr Manetsi served in the position of Chief Director: Heritage and Tourism Integration at the National Department of Tourism (South Africa).

He has extensive experience in Government policy formulation, strategy development and management in heritage and tourism sectors domestically and internationally. Previously, he has held senior management positions at the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and the NHC. He holds a PHD Degree in African Studies (heritage resources management) from the University of Cape Town (South Africa). He continues to serve as an expert panellist at UNESCO, IUCN, ICCROM and ICOMOS Int. His works are published on various platforms in the academia and Government journals.