Jabulani completed his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg, where he innovatively integrated two industrial waste materials (i.e., FA and PG as primary binder precursors), coupled with physico-chemo-mechanical characterization, advanced statistical modelling, machine learning, & experimental validation to develop the mix design model of FA-PG geopolymer mechanisms based on performance outcomes rather than prescriptive ratios; enabling a shift toward more data-driven, eco-efficient material design practices advancing SDGs 9, 11, 12, & 13, circular economy, Africa Agenda 2063, and South Africa NDP 2030. He published 7 journal articles, 5 conference papers & 1 book chapter during his PhD studies. Jabulani also holds a MSc Mining Engineering from University of Exeter, UK, and a BSc Civil Engineering from University of Malawi - The Polytechnic. Jabulani received the Best Paper Award: ASOCSA 17th Built Environment Conference, 2023, EU-ASIM Scholarship Award: 2021 – 2025, Dr. David Livingstone Academic Award from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland (2010 - 2011), and World Bank Skills Development Scholarship Award: 2016 – 2017. Jabulani obtained industrial experience in construction, quarrying, mining, rock/soil mechanics, earthworks, pavements, geosynthetics/geotextiles, and construction materials at Mota Engil - Nacala Corridor Railway Project, World Kaihatsu Kogyo (WKK) - Masauko Chipembere Highway Rehabilitation Project, Terrastone Njuli Quarry - Mine Design Project, Camborne Holman’s Test Mine UK - Geotechnical Mapping Project, and Castle Construction Steel Engineering Ltd - Mpingwe Residential Buildings Project.

His research interests span mining waste material valorization, geopolymers, novel low-carbon construction materials, cement/concrete, multi-scale geomaterials characterization/modelling, strength of materials, durability of cementitious materials, mine geotechnical design, problematic soil/ground stabilization, seismic soil-structure interaction, experimental design, performance-based mix design, machine learning strength predictive modelling, statistical modelling, computational modelling, artificial intelligence 4IR, geotechnical mapping using AI/machine learning/remote sensing technologies, advancement of SDGs 9, 11, 12, & 13, data-driven design, and circular economy, and sustainable infrastructure development. Jabulani leads the Sustainable Construction Materials Mining and Geoengineering research group which is of direct relevance to academia and industry involved in geotechnics, mining, materials, mineral waste valorization, and construction. Our group contributes towards the SDGs 9, 11, 12, & 13, circular economy, and Africa Agenda 2063 to initiate, drive and manage innovative transformations, researching the problems and solutions related to sustainable design, engineering and implementation, and learning from transitions in practice.

Jabulani is a registered Candidate Engineering Professional working towards PrEng registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) & Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI). He is a member of the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institute of Concrete Technology (ICT), Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining (IOM3), Cement and Concrete SA (CCSA), British Geotechnical Association (BGA), Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Institution of Highway Engineers (IHE), and Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

Jabulani is a peer reviewer for the:
▪ Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
▪ Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
▪ Digital Discovery
▪ Open Geosciences
▪ Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
▪ Discover Applied Sciences
▪ Discover Civil Engineering
▪ Journal of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
▪ International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering