Dr Janet Cotton’s Opening Address at Africa’s Inaugural Root Cause Analysis Conference

A Vision Rooted in Africa

Africa is a continent like no other. Once Africa is in your blood, it never leaves you. I am African, born of Mother Africa, and deeply proud to be a citizen of this incredible land.

This is a continent of pioneering spirit. Yes, Africa has a history shaped by colonialism, with each country carrying its own story. Borders exist because of that history, but Africa’s essence transcends them. Whether your heritage traces back to Europe, as mine does to both the United Kingdom and Italy, or whether your roots lie in Malawi but your work takes you to Sierra Leone, we are all part of something greater—a shared African experience.

Having traveled extensively, I can say with certainty: the best part of leaving Africa is coming back to Africa.

The Birth of This Conference

This conference was not born in a boardroom. It was born on a journey—one that reconnected me to my purpose.

For years, I envisioned One Eighty Materials Engineering Solutions as a company dedicated to solving Africa’s engineering challenges for the benefit of Africans. But in the pursuit of building a sustainable business, I lost sight of that bigger picture.

At the end of 2023, for the first time in 12 years, I took an extended break. It started with a business trip to Angola, where my daughter accompanied me, taking notes as we met clients—both old and new. We even traveled 180 km from Luanda to Porto Amboim on a straight road, a journey that took four hours each way for a two-hour meeting. Welcome to Africa!

What struck me most was the energy of the Angolan people. Despite their history, they weren’t singing sad songs about the past. They were looking forward. Optimistic. Determined. Ready.

From there, we flew to Windhoek, where our Land Rover awaited. We set off on an adventure through the Caprivi Strip, Kongola, Livingstone, Botswana, Kimberley, and home.

It takes time for the mind to truly detach from work—about ten days, to be exact. By then, we were deep in Kongola, celebrating Christmas. We welcomed the New Year in Livingstone, Zambia, where I had booked a quiet kayaking trip online.

Or so I thought.

Upon arrival, we were handed life jackets and helmets. We weren’t kayaking—we were about to tackle extreme white-water rapids! As the bus that brought us disappeared, I realized there was only one way forward—through 15 rapids.

I was not impressed.

As I grumbled my way down to the river, my daughter turned to me and said:
“Mom, don’t be upset. It’s just the universe giving you your mojo back.”

She was right.

For too long, I had been immersed in growing the lab, making it profitable. I had achieved that, but I craved more. As we paddled down the Zambezi, I asked myself: What’s next? What challenge can reignite my passion?

That evening, as I floated in an infinity pool overlooking the Zambezi, with the best G&T of my life in hand, I made a decision:

I would embrace my mojo. I would say to the universe: “Bring it on.”

Somewhere between Livingstone and Botswana, as we sat by the fire at sunset in Nata, the idea struck me:
Africa needs a conference—one that puts Materials Engineering on the map.

Why We Are Here

I had been so inspired by the energy of the Angolans, the enthusiasm of the Namibians, the tangible positivity of the Zambians, and the passion of the people of Botswana.

They say, you can teach skill, but you can’t teach attitude. And the attitude of these people—the drive, the optimism, the energy—was electric. I wanted to bring that same spirit to South Africa and beyond.

And so, this conference was born.

You Are the Pioneers

Each of you sitting here today is a pioneer. You are part of the first gathering of its kind, built on the belief that Materials Engineering must grow in Africa for the benefit of Africans.

I admire the work of Simon Sinek, particularly his message that people don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

Why do I do this?
Because I believe in empowering Africa for Africa.

I believe in bringing high-level technology to real-life challenges.

I believe Africa’s engineering challenges require African solutions.

In Europe and America, Metallurgical Engineering is as accessible as KFC—widely available, established, ingrained.

I intend to make it just as accessible across Africa—not for corporations, but for Africans themselves.

Because this is not just about engineering.
It’s about Africa.
It’s about us.
It’s about the future.

Welcome to the Inaugural RCA Africa Conference.

Let’s make history together.