Johannesburg · South Africa

Thulani Ncube

Senior Data Scientist

I take machine learning from prototype to production—bridging applied mathematics, data engineering, and product so ambiguous problems become measurable impact.

Get in touch View experience GitHub
  • Production ML
  • Applied Mathematics
  • AI-driven products
  • MLOps
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About

Profile

Senior Data Scientist with a strong foundation in applied mathematics and computer science, experienced in shipping ML and AI solutions that hold up in production. I work comfortably across modelling, data engineering, and MLOps, and partner with stakeholders to frame problems, define success metrics, and deliver outcomes the business can trust.

Currently leading data science initiatives at The HEINEKEN Company across Africa, after roles spanning commercial analytics, end-to-end ML delivery, and early-career engineering programmes. I'm especially drawn to AI products that automate complex workflows and make technology more accessible.

Experience

Career

  1. Current

    Senior Data Scientist

    The HEINEKEN Company · Africa · Hybrid

    • Lead data science initiatives delivering production ML and AI solutions across the Africa region.
    • Partner with product, engineering, and business teams to design robust data products and set modelling standards.
    • Mentor team members and contribute to best practices in experimentation and deployment.

  2. Data Scientist

    The HEINEKEN Company · South Africa · Remote

    • Built and deployed machine learning models for forecasting, optimisation, recommendations, and analytics.
    • Worked with stakeholders to frame problems, define success metrics, and interpret results for decision-makers.

  3. Data Scientist

    Distell · Full-time

    • Delivered data-driven insights and models to support commercial and operational decisions.
    • Built analytical dashboards and reports for non-technical stakeholders.

  4. Junior Machine Learning Engineer

    Cape AI · Cape Town

    • Completed Cape AI's Machine Learning Talent Programme with end-to-end ML projects.
    • Worked with Python, Spark, Docker, cloud (AWS / Azure / GCP), APIs, and model deployment.

  5. Trainee Junior Analyst Developer / Junior Data Analyst

    Guidepost · South Africa

    • Designed and built data solutions with SQL, Power BI, and Excel.
    • Produced client-facing dashboards and trained users to adopt data products.

Skills

Stack

Full ML lifecycle—from prototype through robust deployment.

Data science & ML

  • Supervised learning
  • Unsupervised learning
  • NLP
  • Computer vision
  • Experimentation
  • Analytics

Tech stack

  • Python
  • SQL
  • Spark
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Unix
  • Git

Libraries

  • Scikit-learn
  • TensorFlow
  • Keras
  • PyTorch
  • Pandas
  • NumPy
  • OpenCV
  • Flask

Cloud & BI

  • AWS
  • Azure
  • GCP
  • Power BI

Emphasis map

Illustrative focus—not a formal ranking.

  • Python & modelling
  • SQL & analytics
  • MLOps & deploy
  • Deep learning
  • Cloud platforms
  • Storytelling

Career insights

Visual

Path timelineyears
    Domain mixpractice

    Modelling, systems, and communication.

    Selected work

    Impact

    Award-winning

    Phanda Ispani

    ML-powered job search

    Cloud prototype automating job search and applications with ML matching.

    First runner-up · MTN Business App of the Year (Best Youth App)

    Education

    Academic foundation

    • BSc Honours, Applied MathematicsUniversity of Johannesburg · 2021
    • BSc Mathematical SciencesApplied Maths & CS · UJ · 2015–2019
    • Data Science Certificate (NQF 5)Explore DSA · 2020

    Community

    IFCM Tutoring

    Tutor · 2019 – Present

    Support Grade 10–12 learners in mathematics during school holidays.

    Collaborations

    Let's build something useful

    Open to data science roles, AI product work, and impactful collaborations.

    info@thulanincube.co.za LinkedIn GitHub