Trusted research experts
Leading the way in socio-economic insights
MTD Research Specialists is a well-established and adaptable socio-economic research and consulting firm with a strong track record of successful project delivery in South Africa. The company's history is one of deliberate and successful evolution, marked by a move from being a technical, data-focused subcontractor to a provider of full-service, strategic consulting.
The transition is clearly evidenced by the change in its client base and project portfolio. Initially, a significant portion of its work was providing data and statistical services to other research firms. This laid the groundwork and built a reputation for technical excellence. Subsequently, MTD capitalized on this reputation to secure direct contracts for high-value monitoring, evaluation, and business development projects with government departments and major institutions.
Trusted research partner
Expertise in socio-economic analysis
MTD Research Specialists stands as a pillar in the socio-economic research and consulting landscape. Our journey from a data-focused subcontractor to a full-service strategic consulting firm showcases our evolution and commitment to delivering high-quality insights. We partner with government departments and major institutions to tackle complex challenges, ensuring our clients achieve their development goals. With a flexible operational model and a strong core team, we are well-equipped to manage diverse projects, including national initiatives like the NYDA Voucher Programme.
Get in touch
Overview
About MTD Research Specialists
MTD Research Specialists is a well-established and adaptable socio-economic research and consulting firm with a strong track record of successful project delivery in South Africa. The company's history is one of deliberate and successful evolution, marked by a move from being a technical, data-focused subcontractor to a provider of full-service, strategic consulting.
The transition is clearly evidenced by the change in its client base and project portfolio. Initially, a significant portion of its work was providing data and statistical services to other research firms. This laid the groundwork and built a reputation for technical excellence.
Subsequently, MTD capitalized on this reputation to secure direct contracts for high-value monitoring, evaluation, and business development projects with government departments and major institutions.
This strategic shift has positioned the company for sustained growth and relevance in the South African market. Its flexible operational model, which combines a strong core team with a network of external consultants, provides the necessary resilience to handle diverse and complex projects.
Our Direction
Vision & Mission
Vision
To be a leading strategic partner in socio-economic development and research consulting in South Africa, empowering sustainable growth through evidence-based solutions.
Mission
To deliver comprehensive, high-quality research and business development services that support public and private sector clients in achieving their socio-economic development goals through technical excellence, strategic consulting, and capacity building for SMEs and young entrepreneurs.
What We Stand For
Core Values
Integrity & Objectivity
We conduct all research with unwavering commitment to accuracy, transparency, and ethical standards. Our findings are evidence-based, unbiased, and grounded in rigorous methodology, ensuring our clients receive honest, reliable insights they can trust.
Excellence in Delivery
We pursue the highest standards in everything we do—from data collection and analysis to strategic recommendations and implementation. Quality is non-negotiable, and we take pride in delivering work that exceeds expectations and stands up to scrutiny.
Client-Centric Partnership
We view our clients as partners in progress. We listen deeply, understand their unique challenges, and tailor our solutions to meet their specific needs. Our success is measured by the tangible value and impact we create for those we serve.
Innovation & Adaptability
We embrace change and continuously evolve our methodologies, tools, and approaches to stay ahead in a dynamic environment. We're not bound by "how it's always been done"—we seek creative solutions and leverage emerging technologies to deliver better outcomes.
Collaborative Experience
We bring together diverse expertise through our core team and network of associate consultants, fostering collaborative partnerships that enrich every project with multidisciplinary insight and shared commitment to success.
Social Impact & Development
We are driven by a commitment to meaningful, measurable change. Our work supports socio-economic development, empowers communities, and contributes to a more equitable South Africa through rigorous, impact-focused research.
Comprehensive research solutions
Delivering insights for strategic growth
MTD Research Specialists provides a range of services that have expanded and matured over time, reflecting a deliberate strategic evolution of the company's business model.
Research Operations
01Expert research services throughout the lifecycle.
Statistical & Data Services
02Advanced statistical services for data accuracy.
Business Development Services
03Tailored evaluation projects for impactful insights.
Research Operations
The cornerstone of the company's business is its comprehensive research suite. Services span the entire research lifecycle, from initial project identification and design to strategic planning, feasibility studies, and policy reviews. The firm specializes in conducting various types of surveys, including program impact assessments, market surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, and employee surveys. This core competency in research operations is fundamental to their identity and has remained consistent throughout their documented history.
Statistical & Data Services
A foundational strength of MTD Research Specialists is its proficiency in statistical and data-related services. The company provides data collection (enumeration), data entry, verification, and tabulation. Their expertise extends to using specialized statistical software, such as CSPro for data entry and SPSS for analysis, which underscores their technical capability in handling large-scale surveys and databases. The ability to perform accurate and timely statistical analysis is a key component of their value proposition to clients in both the business and academic communities.
Business Development Services
An important development in the company's service offerings is the formalization and expansion of its business development services. MTD now offers a suite of business development services, including statutory compliance, the creation of business and marketing plans, and business mentoring for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The company's work as a service provider for organizations such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), and the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) showcases a strategic focus on supporting young entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Successful initiatives
Delivering impactful socio-economic research
Executed the NYDA voucher programme for government stakeholders
Empowered young entrepreneurs through strategic research and consulting.
Learn more
Delivered comprehensive monitoring and evaluation for major institutions
Enhanced institutional performance through rigorous evaluation and insights.
Learn more
Conducted impactful program assessments for government agencies
Informed policy-making with comprehensive program impact assessments.
Learn moreStrategic Evolution
Project Analysis & Key Themes
The Beginning
The project portfolio reveals a clear transition in MTD's business strategy. In its early years (approximately 2010–2012), the company's projects were heavily focused on technical, back-end tasks for other research firms. Titles such as "Data coding, editing, and capturing", "Data entry and cleaning", and "Supervision of Data Capturing" dominate the project list.
During this phase, MTD primarily acted as a subcontractor, providing essential but often low-margin data services to larger entities like Vibrant Data Support, Columinate, and Progressus Research.
Development & Growth
Over time, the nature of the projects shifted. From 2012 onward, the company began to secure direct, higher-value contracts. This second phase is characterized by a focus on comprehensive, end-to-end solutions, with project titles like "Impact assessment", "Performance monitoring", and "Due diligence and business plan development".
The client list during this period reflects this change, with a rise in direct engagements with large government departments, public institutions, and major non-profits, including the Department of Public Enterprises, HSRC, New Lovelife Trust, and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
Strategic Maturation
This thematic change in the project portfolio suggests a deliberate maturation of the company's business model. By demonstrating a proven track record of delivering high-quality, reliable data services, MTD built the credibility necessary to move beyond a subcontractor role.
This allowed the company to bypass intermediaries and directly secure more profitable, strategic consulting work. The ongoing, long-term nature of certain contracts, such as the performance monitoring for the Department of Public Enterprises since 2010 and the NYDA Voucher Programme from 2019 to 2023, indicates that MTD has successfully cultivated strong, enduring relationships with key clients.
Our People
Management & Operational Capacity
MTD Research Specialists has a dynamic management team with a strong academic background, which has provided the foundation for the company's growth. The team's combination of expertise in project management, economics, statistics, and urban development provides the company with a diverse skill set to handle complex socio-economic projects.
Ephraim Mutsika
Research Project Manager
Holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Official Statistics and a BSc Honours in Economics, highlighting his foundational role in the firm's technical and operational work.
Themba Kenny Nkosi
Director
Holds various marketing and agriculture qualifications and has extensive experience in marketing and business development.
Morgan Zivhavhe
Consultant
Holds a PhD in Urban Agriculture and provides critical insight into data analysis for projects undertaken by MTD.
Elvis Mabika
Researcher
Holds qualifications in Mathematical Science, and a PhD. His previous experience with large organisations including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is valuable to MTD Research Specialists.
Our Organisation
Organisational Structure & Capacity
MTD Research Specialists operates with a strategic and flexible organizational model. The company employs a core team of full-time and part-time professionals who specialize in research design, data collection, and data analysis. This core capacity is significantly augmented by a "dynamic pool of associate consultants".
This model provides MTD with a high degree of operational agility. By maintaining a lean core staff and drawing on a network of specialized consultants, the company can scale its workforce and expertise up or down to meet the specific demands of each project without the financial burden of maintaining a large, permanent staff.
This approach allows MTD to undertake a diverse range of projects, from small-scale data capturing tasks to large, multi-faceted impact assessments for national institutions. The ability to tailor its team to the unique requirements of each assignment is a key factor that enables MTD to compete effectively and consistently deliver high-quality, professional work.
Key Personnel & Qualifications
| Full Name | Portfolio / Position | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Ephraim Mutsika | Projects Manager / Research Project Manager | Mcom Fin Economics, Post grad Cert in Official Statistics, BSc Honours Economics. |
| Themba Kenny Nkosi | Director | Marketing. |
| Morgen Zivhave | General Manager / MD / Consultant | PhD (Urban Agriculture), Msc (Urban and regional development), Hons (Rural and urban planning). |
| Emmanuel Mfunda | Research Analyst | MBA, FET, BSc Hons Statistics. |
| Philip Zivhave | Researcher | MBA, BSc Engineering, BCom Supply Chain, BCom Law. |
| Elvis Mabika | Research Assistant | BSc Mathematical Science, MSc Data Science. PhD. |
| Melisu Jamela | Statistician | Mcom Statistics. |
| Agness Mudzingwa | Research Manager | Msc Mathematics, MSc Population Studies, MSc Monitoring and Evaluation. |
| Praise Thupayenkosi | Finance Manager | Bcom Accounting. |
| Silvester Hwenha | Research Consultant | MPhil, Hons. |
Track Record
Comprehensive Project Portfolio (2010–2025)
Chronological Project Record
| Duration | Client | Funding Agency | Project Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2010 – Jun 2010 | Vibrant Data Support / U Bank (Former TEBA) | U Bank | Abridged Climate and culture TEBA Bank IT Department | Research planning, literature review, development of data collection instruments, data collection, data capturing, analysis and report writing. |
| Oct 2010 | Vibrant Data Support / Women's Expo | Women's Show | Data capturing and cleaning for Women's Show | Data capturing and cleaning. |
| Sep 2010 – Oct 2010 | Vibrant Data Support / Natural & organic Products expo | Natural & organic Products expo | Data capturing and cleaning for Natural & organic Products expo | Data capturing and cleaning. |
| Oct 2010 – Dec 2010 | Underhill Corporate solutions / Gauteng Provincial Department Of Education (GPEDU) | Government | Skills Audit For Abet Educators And Centre Managers In Gauteng Province | Research planning, literature review, development of data collection instruments, data collection, data capturing, analysis and report writing. |
| Aug 2010 – Sep 2010 | Vibrant Data Support / Metrofile Pty ltd | FNB | Digitisation project for FNB | Supervision of Data Capturing, Cleaning and Indexing for FNB. |
| Apr 2010 – Ongoing | Department of Public Enterprises / Government | Government | Performance monitoring of SOE | Compilation of annual business plans, strategic plans, Quarterly performance monitoring reports. |
| Feb 2011 – Mar 2011 | M & R Badiri consultants / Gauteng Provincial Department | Government | Customer Satisfaction Survey | Data capturing, data cleaning, analysis and report writing. |
| May 2011 – Jun 2011 | Underhill corporate solutions / USAID, Woord en Daad | USAID, Woord en Daad | External Assessment of the Mfesane PEPFAR Community action against HIV/AIDS | Data processing, questionnaire coding, data capturing, and analysis. |
| Aug 2011 – Sep 2011 | Columinate / Anglo American - Kumba Iron Ore | Anglo American | Envision Beneficiary Survey - July 2011 | Data coding, editing, and capturing, supervision of data capturing, data cleaning, and analysis. |
| Apr 2011 – May 2011 | Progressus Research and Development / ESKOM | ESKOM | Eskom Housing Survey: 2011 | Data coding, editing, and capturing, supervision of data capturing, data cleaning. |
Showing 1–10 of 33 projects
Get in touch
We're here to help you succeed!
Contact us for research, consulting, or business development services.
Get in touch
Location
485 Gerrit Maritz Road, Pretoria North, South Africa, 0182
Hours
- Monday8:00am – 5:00pm
- Tuesday8:00am – 5:00pm
- Wednesday8:00am – 5:00pm
- Thursday8:00am – 5:00pm
- Friday8:00am – 5:00pm
- Saturday9:00am – 6:00pm
- Sunday9:00am – 12:00pm