MEET THE TEAM
MIGNON HARDIE
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mignon loves learning, experimenting and innovating in the social impact space. She is passionate about finding ways to help grow a more equitable, just and tolerant society. Mignon is compassionate, collaborative and democratic, and wants to ensure that all people have the opportunity to grow and reach their potential.
RYAN GEEL
CAMPUS DIRECTOR
Ryan is a communicator and he approaches everything he touches in a thorough and passionate way. He is dependable and has sound judgement with a practical and logical approach to all of his endeavors in life. Ryan has a natural shining outlook to everything in life.
INNOCENT MASAYIRA
Head of Fundraising
Inno is an unfinished symphony. One distinctive characteristic of Innocent is that he is always in action. His mind is always wondering and his body is always in motion. Inno is daring, he has an interesting outlook to life, he questions and is not afraid to be questioned. For him, the sky is the limit.
SAARAH YASSIEM-AZIZ
HR CONSULTANT
Saarah loves the diversity of working with different kinds of people. She strives to assist at least one person every day, helping them with their needs. She believes that knowledge should be shared generously. Saarah’s downtime finds her reading, experimenting in the kitchen, hiking with her family taking in all the little things nature has to offer. She values the lessons of forgiveness she experiences from her young daughter.
IAN FIFE
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR
Ian embraces life through his friendly demeanour, taking stress in his stride. Through his own experience, a key purpose of Ian’s is to educate men about breast and prostate cancer, helping them to openly speak about their experiences. At home, Ian is happiest in the kitchen. He also loves gardening and spending time with his grandson.
ANWAR ARICUM
HEALTH4LIFE COUNSELLOR
NKOSANA MKHIZE
HEALTH4LIFE COUNSELLOR
Nkosana, originally from Soweto, is a type of person that likes simplicity. He is humble, full of enthusiasm and humour. He draws his inspiration from God’s unconditional love and he believes that life is precious.
LAAIQAH BROWN
HEALTH4LIFE COUNSELLOR
Laaiqah is an independent person with a strong work ethic. She loves what she is doing and she is always on the lookout for the next person to help. She is honest and unapologetic about it! She enjoys music and food, but most of all spending time with her children.
DENECIA BUYS
HEALTH4LIFE COUNSELLOR
Denecia is someone who loves wholeheartedly. She believes in honesty and integrity. Her craziness is what adds to the world in a very positive way. She is driven by teaching, motivating others and being surrounded by young people.
FELICIA JANTJIES
HEALTH4LIFE COUNSELLOR
SINDISWA TITI
HEALTH4LIFE COUNSELLOR
Sindiswa describes herself as shy, but talkative, once she warms up to people. With a background in community work, Sindiswa loves working with small children. Not an overly sensitive person, she believes that one can always learn new things about yourself if you are open to positive feedback from others.
Chevario Swanepoel
Health4Life Intern
Chevario is a Leaders’ Quest beneficiary now interning on the H4L programme.
She is passionate about law and politics and wants to be part of building an equal and just society for all. She feels everyone deserves an opportunity to excel in whatever they are passionate about.
To relax Chevario loves reading fantasy and watching true crime series as well as volunteering in the community.
Lilitha Madikizela
Family Affairs and Wellness Manager
Lilitha is passionate about Social Work and often jumps into “Social Worker mode” even outside of work hours. After hours, you can find Lilitha hiking and camping in nature or doing sporty activities that sometimes lead to questions like “Why did I sign up for this!?” and “Why am I paying to do this!?“. Like all energizer bunnies, Lilitha takes recharge time very seriously and loves sleeping and eating.
NAJMA FAKIER
Registered Counsellor
Najma is fun-loving, funny and caring. She says she has a wicked sense of humour and is able to laugh at her own jokes. Najma is passionate about people and believes that everyone deserves a second chance. She is rewarded by seeing people overcome their obstacles. To relax, she loves reading and watching horror movies.
SARAH DOWLING
Registered Counsellor
THAAKIRAH DOLLIE
Registered Counsellor
Sinesipho Veli
SOCIAL WORKER
Sinesipho is a Leaders’ Quest beneficiary. Her interest in the well-being of people led to her study Social Work at Nelson Mandela University. As an intern on the Leaders’ Quest programme, she intends to make a positive impact on the people she works with.
To relax, Sinesipho surrounds herself with people who radiate positive energy, love, kindness and laughter. She prides herself in altruism and an empathetic spirit.
Aqeelah Munsamy
Social Worker
MARLENE WILSON
Life coach
Marlene’s caring spirit and expert listening ability mixed with no frills straight talk, heaps of pizazz and a wicked sense of humor has created a reputation that we all love. When you have the privilege of meeting up with Marlene, you are going to learn all about “The Finger” – what it does and where it belongs!.
MIHLALI NDLAZI
Family Affairs Facilitator
CHANTE ROSS
Family Affairs Facilitator
NCUMISA GWEBITYALA
Family Affairs intern
Zukile Keswa
Leaders’ Quest programme manager
Zukile holds a BCom degree in Information Systems and has completed a project management course. He says he is calm and collected and is proud of his ability to preserve and overcome any challenges as they come up.
Zukile is a family orientated man enjoying quality time with his family. To relax he listens to music, and enjoys watching sport.
QUEEN GUM
LEADERS' QUEST COACH
Queen is a LOL kind of girl. She laughs at the most serious matters, she does this to let herself and everyone know that everything is going to be alright! She believes that everything happens for a reason. You can lock her up with a “Chinese” and she will still find a way to understand the person because she believes in the human race and the power of love.
APHELELE EMMETE
Leaders’ Quest coach
Aphelele believes that hard work pays off to those who remain consistent. He finds motivation though his life and through other people who have had to dig deep to find opportunities. He is a passionate young man who loves teaching business studies and economics to Gr11 and Gr12 learners in his free time. When not working he relaxes by watching documentaries which inform and educate him.
Luzuko Mabhongo
Leaders’ Quest coach
Yamkela Nkinqa
Leaders’ Quest COACH
Zinzi Nogavu
Leaders’ Quest COACH
MIHLE MASETI
Youth worker intern
NABEELAH STERRIS
Youth worker intern
TAMIA DE LILLY
Youth worker intern
CANDICE AMON
LIFE CHOICES ACADEMY PROGRAMME MANAGER
Candice is an independent individual who is willing unravel potential in each every person she encounters in her life. Candice is very outspoken and draws strength from her achievements in life. She believes to GROW means to CHANGE, if you haven’t been challenged you haven’t GROWN.Enjoys seeing friends and family happy around her.
Matthew Brown
LC ACADEMY LECTURER
EHRIN MANUEL
PLACEMENT PARTNERSHIP OFFICER
MAXINE OLIVER
PLACEMENT PARTNERSHIP OFFICER
THULISILE ZWELONKE
CAMPUS ADMINISTRATOR
I believe in loyalty, honesty and respect, and I know being faithful in small things counts in my life and others. I care about other people’s feelings. I am both an introvert and extrovert depending on the environment I’m in.
Keziah Petersen
Junior Campus Administrator
Keziah is a Leaders’ Quest beneficiary who has joined Life Choices as an Intern in Operations. During her journey on Leaders’ Quest, she discovered her voice for public speaking. She loves meeting people from all walks of life and extending her friendship circle. She is using her growth from Leaders’ Quest to help develop others.
She has 3 dogs which she loves to play with and relax with.
DARRON GELDERBLOEM
LC STUDIO PROGRAMME MANAGER
Darron has broad industry experience, but the common thread has always been optimisation. He is inquisitive and creative at heart, but logical and practical in execution. During his spare time he enjoys arranging and composing. His mantra is that of Walt Disney… “Keep moving forward”
NASHVILLE JAMES
LC STUDIO, WEB DEVELOPER
Nashville is a beneficiary of the Life Choices Academy and is now a Team Leader at the LC Studio. He is excited to share his skills and expertise with the next generation of interns in the web dev team. Nash is a hard worker, committed to his line of work and is open to the possibilities emerging in the coding world. He’s always up for a challenge and ready to seek solutions to problems. In addition to his love of the world of IT, Nash finds joy in DJing and producing music.
VERONIQUE NAPPIE
YouthForce Technical Lead
SIBABALWE MAFESTILE
YouthForce Technical Lead
Cheslyn Loph
IT INTERN
Cheslyn is an innovative and creative individual with a passion for IT. He describes himself as someone who’s eager for knowledge and always up for a challenge. He’s keen on helping others solve problems and implement solutions.
In his spare time, he enjoys learning about technology, watching movies, and playing video games.
Vuyo Ntlangu
GREEN Solar Academy PROGRAMME Manager
Vuyo is passionate about sustainable development, social justice, good governance, youth empowerment and access of marginalised communities to affordable and clean energy. His motto is ‘nothing is impossible to a willing heart’. Vuyo enjoys road trips, camping, playing cricket and bringing hope/positive change to the lives of people.
SULEIMAN JASSIEM
Green Solar Technical Lead
Unathi Mbali
Green Solar Intern
JOYCE UMETOR
M&E OFFICER
Joyce Umetor has a postgraduate degree in M&E from Stellenbosch University and is originally from Nigeria. She is a budding evaluator and a key part of our M&E team. Music and cooking are her other passions and she says ‘you will always find me in the kitchen cooking traditional African dishes listening to my favorite music, Gospel.’
Abongile Tywala
M&E Assistant
Abongile is a Leaders’ Quest beneficiary who comes from the township of Gugulethu. She is fascinated by numbers and anything that has to do with problem solving and is aspiring to become an accountant.
Abongile is bubbly in nature and loves making people smile. Being a believer in the word of God, her favourite scripture is Proverbs 16:9. To relax she spends time listening to songs of worship.
SHARLEEN HENDRICKS
M&E Assistant and Office Administrator
Sharleen shows up as an authentic, honest and open woman. She believes we are all born with the same good in us, and so she looks for the best in everyone. Sharleen is hardworking and is not afraid to face life’s challenges. To de-stress she enjoys baking and reading offers her a quiet place for quiet time.
SHAUN JAFTHA
M&E ASSISTANT
Shaun is someone who is excited about learning new things and is always open to learning. He is an introverted young man who enjoys getting lost in a good ‘who dunnit’ book or a good sci-fi or musical movie. He is a hard worker who enjoys helping people to achieve their goals. When not lost in a book, he enjoys eating out with his friends and exploring new places.
TARA SNELL
M&E Intern
SADÉ HICKMAN
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Sadé is a multi-skilled creative with experience in various creative fields. Born in the (formerly) small town of Hermanus, she holds a Degree in Art Direction as well as a few awards – one of which is a prestigious Silver Loerie, won in her second year of university. She’s incredibly passionate about art, design and everything in between – dabbling in both digital and traditional mediums since childhood, she is constantly learning and expanding her skill set as the field does.
TARRAN HUMAN
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Tarran describes herself as a soft-hearted perfectionist who lives off the principles of faith, hope and love. A firm believer in all things positive, Tarran accepts as true that a positive mind leads to a positive life. She believes that we are in control of our own destiny as we write our own story.
MILLY VAUGHAN
ADMINISTRATOR
Milly is a passionate, humble woman who believes that hard work will get you to where you want to go. She has used this mantra to achieve her personal goals in life and has grown out of depression into a strong, motivated woman. She believes that one’s circumstances do not define one’s life. Outside of work, Milly loves spending time with her family and friends.
LEIGH OKTOBER
Office Administrator
Leigh has a bright and bubbly personality, independent, nurturing, and supportive in personal relationships. She is a Life Choices beneficiary who always strive to have a positive impact on other people. When not working she’s behind her sewing machine, taking pictures or listening to motivational speeches.
AMY MANEL
Operations Intern
ASIPHE MHLANA
Operations Intern
CHANTAL AMON
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Chantal is a single mom whose hobbies include swimming and cooking. What makes her happy is spending Sundays relaxing with her family.
SHAYNER OLIVER
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Shayner describes herself as happy, joyful and hardworking. To de-stress and relax she enjoys swimming and spending time with her little daughter who makes her heart smile.
ANELE MBUKU
DRIVER
Anele is a friendly person. He likes people and especially children. Transporting the Life Choices staff to their schools, and spending time with the youth is what makes Anele happy in his work. Outside of work, Anele loves watching soccer, supporting Kaiser Chiefs and is very involved with his church community over the weekends.
CHARL JAMES
MAINTENANCE
Charl is an outgoing, happy man who is very family orientated. He feels his purpose is to care for his family, and strives to keep life light and fun at home. When not working, Charl enjoys the outdoors and hiking in nature. He is sport mad, and is especially crazy about soccer.