Evans Parson Zwane: From Kanyamazane to the Global Stage of the G20

Born 38 years ago in the township of Kanyamazane, Lekazi, Mpumalanga, Evans Parson Zwane’s journey to becoming the CEO of South Africa’s largest Physical AI & Robotics company reads like a modern-day success saga. After completing his schooling, Evans chose IIE Rosebank College, his beloved alma mater, to pursue a Diploma in Journalism. IIE Rosebank College is a brand of the Independent Institute of Education. The induction at IIE Rosebank College was “seamless and exciting,” he recalls, because the college opened doors to a variety of courses and sparked the entrepreneurial fire that would later define his path. His studies ignited a passion for storytelling, but the entrepreneurial spirit took over, leading him to launch his first media business straight after graduation. Fast forward two decades, and Evans now heads Optimas Robotics South Africa, the nation’s biggest Physical AI & Robotics firm. 

The company fields eight humanoid service robots that serve high-profile clients such as Microsoft, Absa, SITA, and collaborate with institutions like University of Johannesburg, TUT, and the Department of Basic Education (Gauteng). Those partnerships underline the blend of technology and social impact that defines his vision. Evans recently took the stage at the G20 summit, an opportunity to thrust Optimas Robotics onto a world platform. Presenting to the Minister of Small Business Development, he shared how the company’s cutting-edge robots are reshaping service delivery and education across Africa. “Being invited to showcase our robotics business on a world stage was a lifetime experience,” he says, noting that the G20 exposure gave Optimas unprecedented marketing reach throughout Africa and beyond. Today, as an RC alumnus proudly wearing the IIE Rosebank College legacy, Evans embodies the college’s mission of nurturing talent that transforms communities. His story is a beacon for current students: a reminder that the skills and confidence gained at Rosebank can launch ventures from a township in Mpumalanga to the global arena of the G20. Optimas Robotics continues to expand, and Evans remains committed to mentoring the next generation, ensuring the IIE RC spirit lives in every innovation and partnership forged.