SIBONGILE KHUMALO
Executive Director
Sibongile holds a Master of Science degree and has extensive experience in the non-profit sector. Her background includes managing after-school programs, directing organisational operations, and leading a youth development organisation. Her work involves leading strategy, advocacy, and fundraising.
ZOE MANN
Programmes Director
Zoe earned a Bachelor of Honours in International Development and Politics from the University of Leeds, UK. She has extensive experience in the non-profit sector across multiple countries, primarily focusing on community development and education. Currently, Zoe is responsible for overseeing our national grants work.
CHARLENE PETERSEN-VOSS
Special Projects Manager
Charlene holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and has extensive experience managing projects within the non-profit sector. Much of her expertise has been dedicated to education programs, and she currently oversees TLT’s special projects. She focuses on education reform, including delving into models to enhance learning outcomes.
GABRIEL BOKA
Finance Officer
Gabriel holds a Business Administration degree and Diplomas in Accounting and Credit Management. He brings extensive experience from the public sector, where he has served as an accountant and auditor. Gabriel’s expertise includes financial accounting and management, supporting TLT and other non-profit organizations.
MONICA CANCA
Programme Officer
Monica holds a BA Degree and brings a wealth of experience, including her role as a Director at an NPO. Her extensive experience has granted her a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in community development work. Monica is based in Makhanda, supporting TLT grantees while furthering our strategic initiatives in the broader Eastern Cape region.
ONGEZIWE NXOKWANA
Programme Officer
Ongeziwe holds a BA Honours in Development Studies and has substantial experience in the non-profit sector. She possesses a strong passion for education and youth development. Her background includes project management, facilitation and training. Ongeziwe’s role involves providing support to TLT grantees in Gauteng.
MALIBONGWE NKUNKUMA
Programme Officer
Malibongwe holds an honours degree from the University of Cape Town and has experience in the non-profit sector focusing on fundraising, grant-making, stakeholder engagement and mobilisation. He has an interest in bottom-up approaches to community development.
ASIPHE MISHIYI
Grants Coordinator
Asiphe holds a BCom Law degree and brings vast experience from volunteering and working in the education and community development space. Her background involves diverse roles such as bursary administration, youth mentorship, facilitation, and events coordination. She holds a strong passion for empowering individuals to contribute to societal betterment.
KUMBIRAI MADZIWA
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer
Kumbirai is a specialist in research, data, and statistics. He has a background in project framework, methodology design, and statistical analysis, particularly as a Demographer. His responsibilities encompass delivering data analysis, coordination, and MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) support services aligned with TLT’s core initiatives and special projects.
CINDY MKAZA-SIBOTO
Special Projects Coordinator
Cindy holds a BA in Theatre and Performance as well as a Bachelor of Social Science Honours with a specialization in African Studies. She brings extensive experience from her work spanning over a decade in the non-profit sector, particularly within education, arts, and community development. In her capacity, Cindy spearheads the execution of The Learning Trust’s sector-building strategy and the advancement of emerging special projects.
TIRELO MAKWELA
Communications & Advocacy Officer
Tirelo holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Integrated Organisational Communications. She started her career in development as a Volunteer Peer Mentor facilitating Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programs to adolescent children from Alexandra. Since then, she has worked in communication for development for different national and international civil society organisations.
SIXOLILE MABOMBO
Board Chair
Sixolile is the Director of Finance & Operations at Africa Resource Centre, with 15 years of experience in financial services, having worked at Deloitte and Absa WIMI. She has also applied her skills to long term impact projects focused on improving the quality of learning outcomes. This includes programmes such as the Data Driven Districts Dashboard and Gradesmatch.
CHRISTINE V. DOWNTON
Founder
Christine is the founding donor and brings considerable skills and experience in academia, central banking, asset management and philanthropy, in an international career over 40 years. Christine has also served on many public and private boards including the Board of Governors of the London School of Economics, The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Drug Policy Alliance and various financial service company and regulatory Boards.
ALLAN TAYLOR
Trustee
Allan is an education and organisational specialist in South Africa and provides continuous guidance and advice on each stage of The Learning Trust’s development. He has over 20 years’ experience advising senior South African government education officials, and leading Foundations, Trusts and NGOs on education issues. He previously served as CEO to the DG Murray Trust, a leading large education donor.
SIPHELELE CHIRWA
Trustee
Siphelele is an Executive Leader at EduCo Africa, a youth development organisation that supports young people to live their full potential, with a specific focus on social and environmental wellbeing. An inspired community activist, Siphelele has a deep belief in and love for people. She is a graduate of the Activate! leadership programme and now sits on their board.
BONGIWE MLANGENI
Trustee
Bongiwe is the CEO of the Social Justice Initiative (SJI) – a South African non-profit organisation that facilitates funding for social justice organisations. Before joining the SJI, Bongi served as communications director at the Graça Machel Trust and was the founding deputy director of Corruption Watch. Bongi holds a Masters of Management degree from the Wits School of Governance.
ZOLA MADIKIZELA
Trustee
Zola spend over 14 years with The Atlantic Philanthropies, heading the Population Health Programme. He holds a Master of Science in Population Studies. Zola serves on a number of committees and boards, including the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Primary Health Care Revitalisation and the Ministerial Steering Committee on Executive Leadership Training in Health.
MURRAY LEIBBRANDT
Trustee
Murray is the National Research Foundation Chair in Poverty and Inequality Research, and the Director of the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit at the University of Cape Town. His research focuses on South Africa’s poverty, inequality and labour market dynamics. He has served on government commissions on the labour market and the Basic Income Grant.