Leadership Team

Mark Geschke

Mark performs the role of Managing Director and has broad experience in the IT industry. Although from a very hands-on technical background (having studied Electronical Engineering at Stellenbosch University before his technical IT career), most of the current work involves helping Space Age achieve its full potential through a combination of relationships, technology and processes and a deep belief that the business should always do what is right.

He usually doesn’t accept the status quo and will try and find the most appropriate solution to any problem. Because of this innate need to always push the boundaries and innovate, Space Age was one of the first, if not the first, IT Managed Service provider in South Africa. He was instrumental in developing our own Managed Services software called SATAware (which we are still using in addition to commercial software), in implementing Balanced Score Cards for business management (which we have subsequently dropped again), in introducing Top Grading for hiring the best people and for initiating a broad CSI initiative to further education in a disadvantaged local school.

When the business hit a proverbial growth ceiling towards the end of 2010 he introduced Theory of Constraints as an alternative to other holistic management frameworks. Apart from reading most of the books available on this topic, he participated in a 10-day TOC Thinking Process workshop in Israel tailored to the specific needs of Space Age and its other Directors, Chris and Mathias. Since then the business has adopted and adapted the TOC management approach for its unique needs and has started to systematically introduce these paradigm-changing concepts throughout the organisation. Implemention is on-going and early results are astounding…

Chris Welham

What Chris loves most is providing solutions using digital technology that empower people and their companies. In his early career as a Digital Design Engineer at Siemens and later Reutech Radar Systems, he was fascinated by the almost limitless power of technology. He realised that technology could be the great equaliser that would allow small and medium businesses to compete with large enterprises. In order to pursue this, he started Genesis Systems, an IT platform service provider, which he later merged with Space Age Technologies.

Chris is now responsible for Marketing and New Business Development at Space Age. He is driven by the belief that, by helping companies implement technology appropriately, he can make a significant contribution to the growth of their businesses. He instinctively links technology to business needs and has an ability to make technology understandable to non-technical people.

Chris also took part in the 10 day Theory of Constraints (TOC) workshop in Israel, along with his fellow directors, Mark Geschke and Mathias Tölken. He has found its focussing mechanism enormously beneficial and applies TOC principles in both his business and personal life.

Mathias Tölken

Mathias Tölken co-founded Space Age with Mark Geschke in 1994 during their second year of University Studies. The idea of being “At the Forefront of Technology” was the first slogan coined by Mathias and has stayed a central motto ever since.

What started as the dream of two students in Mark’s single-bedroom dwelling has grown to become the number three Managed Service Provider in Africa (according to MSP Mentor).

The combination of Mathias’ generalist attitude, close on 20 years’ experience in the IT industry and the background from his Industrial Engineering studies and other supplementary courses has put him in a good position to face the daily challenges as Sales and Customer Relationship Director of Space Age.

Since 2010 the management of Space Age embarked on an intensive study of Theory of Constraints (TOC), including a 10 day workshop in Israel, attended by Mark, Chris and Mathias. The TOC management approach has since permeated most facets of how Space Age does business, benefiting the company, its employees and its clients.

Outside the office, Mathias’ passion also lies in helping people. He is director and chairperson of Solid Foundations (Space Age Technologies’ CSI program), a volunteer mountain rescuer and an active participant in a number of other organisations. In several of these endeavours he is joined by his wife, Gela. For recreation they do hiking / mountaineering as well as ballroom & Latin dancing.

Michael Pedro

Michael Pedro is the Technical Service Director responsible for  all  technical  delivery functions and services.   Prior to joining Space Age technologies in 2006, Michael gained  a wealth of  IT and management experience  working in various industry sectors in the UK including banking, education, charity and health care.

Member of UK’s chartered management institute (MCMI) and MBA graduate, Michael’s driving passion is  delivering excellence services through  people,   and has been pivotal  in establishing  a progressive  culture for our  services teams to grow and evolve into high performing teams.  His social activities include, cycling, spinning, running and travel.

Lizaan Louw

Lizaan has always had a passion for people, so studying Human Resources at UNISA was the natural thing to do. She joined Space Age Technologies in 2000 and was promoted to the HR Manager in 2006. Lizaan thrives in an environment where her creative and innovative spirit has free reign, and for this reason she loves her role at Space Age.

In 2009 Lizaan was instrumental in the birth of Space Age’s CSI initiative, SATlings, and today fulfils the role as Strategic Manager on the board of members of Solid Foundations. At home, her two children keep her fit and as a family they enjoy cycling and beach outings.

Hannes Fourie

After a four year stint as network administrator for a mine in Botswana, Hannes joined Space Age Technologies in the role of Service Desk Manager. Having worked in client facing roles in IT for over 10 years, Hannes had the industry knowledge and experience to grow the Space Age Service Desk team from 2 members in 2009, to a fully-fledged Customer Support Services team with 10 members. The CSS team is responsible for first line computer user support, including onsite client visits.

Hannes’ role demands ensuring that the CSS team has the capacity (without increasing overheads) to handle the steady stream of new clients Space Age takes on board, and that the CSS team delivers world class customer support. Fortunately, the integrity and dedication of the CSS team means has made these targets relatively easy to achieve.

Craig Ongers

Craig Ongers’ passion for technology began at an early age: Not happy with treating IT merely as a hobby whilst at school, Craig, together with a friend ran a successful IT company for approximately 4 years during high school. The business was focused on providing Microsoft and Novell network support to SMEs in the Cape Town area. After leaving school, Craig studied IT for a year at Netscope Technology (MCSE, A+, N+, etc) before joining Space Age Technologies in January 2001. Craig quickly progressed from providing 1st line support (a.k.a. Tier 1 technician) to becoming a highly capable IT consultant for Space Age’s clients.

Internal company optimization early in 2010 saw Craig being promoted to Space Age’s Professional Services Manager. Craig and his team are responsible for delivering highly successful IT projects and consulting engagements to new and existing clients.

Outside the office and his passion for technology, Craig enjoys racing his motorcycle at the race track, discovering new wines with his wife or weekends away in the wilderness with his wife and his Labrador Retriever.

Grant Ongers

Grant Ongers joined Space Age Technologies in 2010 as the NOC manager. The skills he developed while leading NOC as well as his other career experience groomed him for his current position in the company’s newly formed Research and Development department. His professional skills accumulated over a 12 year career in IT Management, Security and Training in Europe and the US are a perfect match for the company’s progressive nature. Grant’s CISSP, ISO27002 and ITIL expertise is geared towards optimal management of the availability, integrity and reliability of the company’s clients’ IT environments, this combined with his passion for innovation gives Space Age the edge when it comes to getting ahead of the pack with product creation. When he is not pulling ideas apart and testing ways to do things better he is actively involved in (ISC)2 events and DEFCON conferences and forums. Outside the office and his passion for technology Grant finds relaxation hanging from a rock-face or exploring new places.