The people behind Yanna Group.
Yanna is led by an executive directorate and a cross-disciplinary advisory bench — operators, investors, and specialists with deep experience across the African continent.
DIRECTORATE
MELISSAJEFFERY
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Melissa Jeffery is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yanna Group. She leads the group's investment, development, and strategic partnership activities across natural resources, healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture. With a background in Project Management and Business Administration, Melissa is focused on identifying and developing high-impact opportunities that create sustainable long-term value across Africa.
PROFESSORSTEPHENJEFFERY
Executive Director, Strategic Development
Professor Stephen Jeffery is a surgeon, academic, entrepreneur, and Executive Director of Strategic Development at Yanna Strategic Resources. As an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town and Director of SLATE Surgical Training Centre, he combines academic excellence with commercial leadership. He leads strategic partnerships, investor engagement, and growth initiatives, helping to advance Yanna's resource development and investment activities across Africa.
NATHINDLOVU
Strategic Advisor: African Affairs & Continental Relations
Nathi Ndlovu is Strategic Advisor of African Affairs and Strategic Engagement at Yanna Strategic Resources. An International Relations lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, he provides strategic insight into African geopolitics, stakeholder engagement, and cross-border partnerships. His work supports Yanna's growth, communications, and relationship-building initiatives across the continent.
RORISANGSOJANE
Lead: Urban Development & Stakeholder Relations
Rorisang Sojane leads Urban Development & Stakeholder Relations at Yanna Group. An experienced urban strategist and precinct management specialist, he has worked extensively across urban development, stakeholder engagement, and city improvement initiatives throughout South Africa. His expertise in governance, community engagement, and development planning supports Yanna's growth and long-term investment objectives.
ADVISORY BENCH
Chair, Strategic Resources
Institutional capital, infrastructure, and African resource architecture.
Chair, Hospitality
Boutique operations and lifestyle portfolio governance for Ash Hospitality.
Chair, Viticulture
Estate winemaking, export distribution, and brand stewardship for Avia.
Group Counsel
Corporate governance, transactions, and cross-border regulatory strategy.
Named profiles for the broader advisory and executive bench are released selectively — please contact the group for institutional or media inquiries.
Engage the Directorate
Institutional, media, and partnership inquiries are reviewed by the executive office.