Operational Team

Neville Gabriel Executive Director
Neville coordinated human rights and public policy advocacy work for the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, before joining Oxfam as an advisor. He has been involved in building civil society campaigns such as Jubilee 2000 and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, and also serves as a non-executive director of several civil society organisations. \| Download Neville's Biographical Notes

Itumeleng Mataboge Head of Operations
Itumeleng joined the Trust from Swiftnet, where he was a Financial Manager responsible for internal control compliance, reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, policy development, preparation and analysis of monthly management accounts, budget and variance reports, and annual financial statements. Prior to that, he worked for First Rand Bank Limited as a consolidations accountant analyzing group investments. He also worked for the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a trainee accountant. He completed an Honours Degree in Accounting at the University of Natal after completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of the Witwatersrand. Itumeleng is from South Africa.

Themba Mhlongo Head of Programmes
Themba has extensive experience in regional co-operation and integration issues. He was the chief director of the SADC Secretariat responsible for strategic planning, gender, and policy harmonization, a department that he established and through which he drove a number of key SADC developments. He was instrumental in the development of SADC's Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). Previously, he served as the chief director for industry and technology strategy in the South African department of trade and industry and as the manager of economic research at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa.

Lusungu Kanchenche Programme Operations Manager
Originating from Malawi, Lusungu has more than sixteen years working experience in development in the British government's Department for International Development (DFID), most recently as Programme Manager for DFID's Southern Africa division's regional portfolio in South Africa and earlier for DFID's Central Africa division in Malawi. She previously lectured in office arts at the University of Malawi and worked in office management and administration in the Office of the President and Cabinet of Malawi. Lusungu holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pretoria, and a Bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Africa, majoring in Development Administration and Information Science.

Zanele Bingwa Corporate Communications Manager
Zanele joins the Trust from Growthpoint Properties where she managed the advertising portfolio, including liaising with media owners and introducing new advertising mediums. Prior to that, she worked at the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) where she also managed the advertising portfolio. She also worked at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as its transition management specialist. Zanele holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of South Africa (UNISA). She is currently studying for her LLB degree at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She is from South Africa and speaks six South African languages.

Emert Nkhatu Finance Manager
Emert has extensive experience in financial management and accounting. He joined the Trust from South Africa's National Consumer Tribunal, where he worked as the corporate services administrator responsible for the management of finances, human resources, and corporate governance. Prior to that, he was the finance manager for the Treatment Action Campaign. Emert also worked as the registrar (manager) and accounts administrator at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). During his career, he has been recognized for Best Managed Function: Finance when he was at the CCMA and received a Top Performance Award for financial administration at Eskom. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Cape Town in 2000

Jabulile Ndinisa Office Manager
Jabu joined the Trust from the Zenex Foundation where she worked as a grant projects administrator and office administrator for six years. She is currently studying for a Diploma in Administrative Management (Financial) through the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Prega Ramsamy Head: Business for Development (B4D) Pathfinder
Originating from Mauritius where he worked in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Prega brings to the Trust a wealth of knowledge, skills, networks, and experience in business and development, as well as international relations. He has held several key executive positions in southern Africa including being the executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), being the chief executive officer of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM), and working in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) secretariat. He was also a special adviser to the president of Madagascar and chief trade negotiator. Prega has an in-depth understanding of the southern Africa region and how it relates in a continental and global context. He holds a doctorate in development economics and a Masters degree in business administration.

Bruno Dindelo Programme Coordinator
Originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bruno worked as a consultant for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute of Security Studies (ISS). He previously served as advisor to various ministers in the DRC government, including the ministers of higher education, transport, communications and defence. He was also a trade representative for public corporations. Bruno holds a Masters degree in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Pretoria and is currently a candidate for a PhD in International Politics with the university of South Africa (UNISA).

Ullrich Klins Coordinator: Business for Development (B4D) Pathfinder
Ullrich joined the Trust from the German Development Service (DED), which had seconded him as a Project Manager in the Centre for Co-operation with the Private Sector (CCPS). Ullrich brings international experience in regional development projects, corporate social responsibility, and multi-stakeholder policy dialogue, as well as strong coordination, project management, and research skills. Ullrich holds a PhD in forest management from the Munich School of Forest Science and Resources.

Shekeshe Mokgosi Executive Assistant: Special Project in the office of the ED
He joins the team after working independently as a Brand and Change Management Consultant. Prior to that he worked as an Events Project Manager and Training Coordinator variously in a private project management agency, at the University of Witwatersrand, and in agencies of the South African government. He holds MAP (Management Advancement Programme) from Wits Business School, and has done several courses in financial management and auditing, event management and change management.

Richard Mogotsi Senior Finance Officer
Richard joined the Trust from BDO South Africa Inc., an audit firm where he was a trainee accountant responsible for internal and external auditing. He was responsible for completion of tax returns, preparation of financial statements and management reports. Prior to that, he worked at Pick ‘n Pay and Woolworths while studying part time. Richards holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting and financial management from the University of South Africa (UNISA). He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in accounting with UNISA. Richard speaks four South African languages.

Renée Kruger Operations Officer
Renée is originally from Zimbabwe, she last worked at the University of South Africa (UNISA) where she was the customer liaison consultant and webmaster of the university's Centre for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She has worked at media 24 as a Personal Assistant to the Marketing Manager of a newspaper, First National Bank where she was a departmental administrator and the South African Reserve Bank where she was the IT Training Co-ordinator and SADC website administrator. Rene has worked at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for a short time. She holds a diploma in Business Administration and has been trained in customer service, information and communications technology, time management and office health and safety.

Lydia Moyo Grantmaking Coordinator
Lydia has over 20 years of experience in administration and finance. She has worked for the Royal Danish Embassy in Zimbabwe for 7 years, initially as an administrative officer in charge of scholarships. She was then the accounts officer responsible for administration of grants amongst other accounting responsibilities. Prior to that, she worked as an administrator for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and for Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) projects in Zimbabwe. Lydia holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Management from University of South Africa (UNISA), and is currently studying for an Honours Degree in Bachelor of Commerce Business Management at UNISA.

Katiana Ramsamy Project Coordinator
Originating from Mauritius, Katiana first joined the Trust to implement its human security and youth violence initiatives. She holds an Honours degree in international relations and a Bachelor of Science degree in politics and philosophy from the University of Cape Town, where she also worked as a tutor and assistant lecturer.

Cindy Snyders Project Coordinator
Cindy joined the Trust from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) where she was a Regional Administrative Assistant. She was responsible for organizing meetings, conferences, and functions. She also did procurement of goods and services, GAIN's asset management and coordinated with Geneva office with the regional office's operational budget including quarterly forecasts and monthly cash flow forecasts. Cindy also worked for the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) as a Research Assistant to the Director of the Politics and Economics Division, where she organized and conducted field research and wrote reports on research and seminar outcomes. Prior to that, she worked as a head English teacher at a private school in Japan. Cindy holds Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Industrial Psychology from WITS University, Johannesburg, and she is currently studying for an Honours degree in International Politics with the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Thapelo Sekoma Personal Assistant to the Executive Director
Thapelo volunteered as an assistant librarian in the Nokeng tsa Taemane Municipal Library before taking up a post as a driver at Buche Executive Travel. He has an NQF4 certificate from the Academy of Business and Computer Studies, an IT diploma from PC Training and Business College, and speaks seven South African languages.

Boitshepo Kubu Logistics Officer
Boitshepo holds a National Diploma in Marketing from the Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa and previously worked as a senior sales consultant.

Cookie Ngobeni Finance Officer
Cookie work temporarily at the auditing and consulting firms Deloitte and KPMG while studying. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Pretoria, majoring in accounting, auditing, management accounting and taxation.

Taziona Sitamulaho Programme Administrator
Originally from Zambia, Taziona joined the Trust from Action Aid where she worked for 3 years. She has experience working with women on issues regarding their rights. She Previously worked with a number of community based organization including the Community Based Tuberculosis Organization (CBTO) where she was a counselor. Taziona holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from the University of Zambia.

Leigh-Ann Luthuli Programme Administration Officer
Leigh-Ann has broad experience in administration. She joined the Trust from the Imperial Group where she was an administrator for 5 years.

Tanje Uys Reception Administrator
Tanje joins the Trust after working part-time in several customer services, sales and marketing roles for different brands including Blackberry. She is South African. She has studied fashion design.

Zamalotshwa Mncube Administrative Assistant
Zamalotshwa holds a Call Center Certificate from Corner Stone Training College. She previously worked for the Vacation Arrangement as an Administration Clerk responsible for booking of venues, accommodation and flights. She has also worked for Plus 94 as a call center agent responsible for client interviews and surveys. Zamalotshwa is from South Africa and speaks English, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho and Afrikaans.

Abelphard Murimbika Website Administrator
Originating from Zimbabwe, Abelphard has hands-on experience in graphic design and web development. He joined the Trust from TN Financial Holdings' TN Bank Limited where he worked as a SharePoint & Rubikon Banking System administrator. Prior to that, Abel worked as a website developer with Netware Design where he was responsible for websites and web applications development. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) in Computer Science from the Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.