Dr Sibusiso Reuben Bakana: From Ivory Park to a PhD in Engineering in Beijing

From Ivory Park to Beijing – The Quiet Triumph of Dr. Sibusiso Reuben 

When I first arrived in China in 2022, I was overwhelmed with uncertainty, fear, and a sense of cultural displacement. I had no real idea what to expect in this vastly different land, made even more alien by the lingering effects of a global pandemic.

But among the whirlwind of transition, one individual stood out, Dr Sibusiso Reuben Bakana. Introduced to me by a comrade, Reuben would become more than just a helpful guide through Beijing’s winding streets and rigid systems—he would embody what perseverance, purpose, and people-centred leadership look like in practice.

Bakana, or Reuben as he is known among peers, recently completed his Doctorate in Engineering at the prestigious Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Beihang University), specialising in Computer Applied Technology within the School of Computer Science and Engineering. His research wasn’t just about chasing academic prestige; it was grounded in real-world relevance. His doctoral thesis focused on “Wild Animal Detection and Behaviour Analysis in Surveillance Videos,” a project that gave rise to cutting-edge models such as WildARe-YOLO, WildPose, and WildAction.

At first glance, these names might sound like just another collection of academic jargon. But for conservationists and technologists alike, they represent a potential game-changer—AI-driven solutions designed specifically for environments with limited resources. These models are more than just lines of code; they could revolutionise wildlife monitoring and contribute significantly to anti-poaching efforts and environmental conservation, particularly across the African continent, where such innovations are desperately needed.

But Reuben’s story isn’t just about technical achievement. It’s about sacrifice. For eight long years, he lived in China, studying through isolation and lockdowns, all without once returning home to Johannesburg. He endured the height of COVID-19 alone, missing weddings, funerals, and family milestones back in South Africa. His commitment was not without emotional cost, but he bore it with quiet resilience, as someone deeply invested in the bigger picture. Born and raised in Ivory Park, a township in Johannesburg,  Bakana’s journey is rooted in community and activism. Before pursuing his PhD, he had a decade-long career in South Africa’s electrical engineering sector, notably with City Power. He also served as a shop steward for the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), representing workers at a time when labour advocacy was more necessary than ever.

His activist resume extends far beyond the workplace. Reuben is a product of South African student and youth political structures, including SASCO, the ANCYL, and the ANC. He has always been a vocal advocate for renewable energy, even before it became a popular or politically convenient cause. As the former Senior Energy Advisor in South Africa, he pushed for forward-thinking, sustainable solutions in a system still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. He was ahead of his time—and he still is. In China, his leadership continued. He became the inaugural President of the South African Students in China Association, providing support and advocacy for hundreds of young South Africans far from home.

His involvement with the Diplomatic Society in China also highlights his deep sense of national and continental representation. Let’s not forget: Bakana is the only known Black South African to have completed a PhD in AI from Beihang University, a fact that is both inspiring and troubling. In 2025, it remains rare for Black academics to hold prominent positions in high-level STEM fields, particularly abroad and in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

His accomplishment should be celebrated, yes, but also seen as a call to action: to support more young Africans, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, in pursuing STEM fields without borders.  Bakana’s story is one of discipline and delayed gratification, one that resonates in a time when instant success is too often glorified. He didn’t go viral.

He didn’t cut corners. He put his head down, stayed true to his mission, and emerged as a beacon for what is possible when grit meets purpose. In a world quick to idolise the superficial, we must learn to value stories like Reuben’s. Stories of those who endure, who innovate for good, and who rise not by stepping on others, but by lifting others along the way. He is not just a doctor of engineering—he is a doctor of perseverance, of people-first innovation, of principled leadership.

So, yes, when I landed in China, disoriented and unsure, I met someone whose calm presence and principled path reminded me why we fight, why we study, and why we build. Reuben may have walked across that graduation stage in Beijing, but his journey started long ago in the dusty streets of Ivory Park—and it’s far from over. South Africa and the continent would do well to invest in minds like his. Because when we nurture excellence, when we support those who serve both science and society, we all rise.

* Mayalo is an independent analyst and writer 

**The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.