Meet the 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. Email Neville Gabriel
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. Email Dr Themba Mhlongo
Petronilla Ndebele Head of Operations:
A well known television personality in Zimbabwe, Petronilla has strong senior management experience in communications, having worked for seven years at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat as the media, public affairs and publications manager and acting head of corporate communications. In 1999, she received an award for excellence in business and economic reporting from the Federation of African Media Women Zimbabwe (FAMWZ). She holds a Master of Arts degree in International Communications and Development, from City University in the United Kingdom. Email Petronilla
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.
Ashley Green-Thompson Grants Manager:
Ashley was the director of the South African Network of Trauma Service Providers, where he started working as the network’s grants manager. He was previously the programme manager of the South African National NGO Coalition (SANGOCO) and director of the Justice and Peace Department of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university of the Witwatersrand and is currently completing a Masters degree in management at the same university’s school of public and development management. Email Mr Ashley Green-Thompson
Bruno Umba Dindelo Coordinator: Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue:
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).

 
Jennifer Chiriga Coordinator: Civil Society Capacity Building:
Originating from Zimbabwe, Jennifer joined the Trust from the Cape Town based Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) where she was the acting director, a post she held after being the organisation’s unit coordinator for globalisation and alternatives. She was previously the Academic Registrar for the Southern African Regional Institute of Policy Studies (SARIPS). Jennifer holds a Masters degree in Policy Studies jointly from the universities of Zimbabwe and Fort Hare and is currently enrolled for an MBA at the University of Stellenbosch. Email Ms Jennifer Chiriga

 
Karin Matthee Office Manager:
Karin is highly experienced in corporate and government administrative procedures and business administration, having worked for the South African Department of Trade and Industry and several investment and business houses. She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) from UNISA’s business school. Email Karin Matthee
Mpho Kgosidintsi Senior Communications Officer:
Mpho joined the Trust from the SADC Secretariat where she was the assistant manager for corporate communications and logistics. Originating from Botswana, Mpho previously worked as the programmes acquisition officer and a news reader for Botswana Television. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Communications from Ellis College in the United States of America Email Mpho Kgosidintsi
Audrey David Senior Finance Officer:
Audrey has experience in the finance field having worked for the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Johannesburg as the finance manager. She previously worked in the administration team of Africare SA. Email Ms Audrey David
Lesego Thathane Personal Assistant to the Executive Director:

Lesego joined the Trust from the Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI) where he worked as the Business Development Manager and Personal Assistant to the chief executive officer. Email Mr Lesego Thathane
Shupikai Gwabuya Grants Officer:

Shupikai has very strong regional experience in grants administration, having worked with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) as a fund assistant for the Environmental Responsive Fund. She also gained administrative experience while working for the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and Union Network International (UNI-Africa) in Zimbabwe. . Email Shupikai

Itumeleng Kgotlagomang Change4ever Campaign Coordinator:
Itumeleng previously worked in the field of microbiology, specialising in HIV and TB research, but is now applying his scientific mind in a different way. His passion for communications led him to join the Southern Africa Trust, diversifying from his current qualifications. Email Mr Itumeleng Kgotlagomang
Benjamin Seitlhamo: Project Officer
Having worked with the Trust for a while as a student attaché from Wits University, Benjamin joined the Communications and Partnerships Unit as the Project Officer. He has a postgraduate degree in development studies. Moreover, he has various interests ranging from politics to sports.
Jabulile Ndinisa Grants Administrator:

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 UNISA. Email Ms Jabulile Ndinisa
Elias Swandle Information Technology Officer:
Elias is experienced in information and communications technology having worked for the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) where he served as an IT specialist for user support. He previously worked as a network administrator (IT) for Palace Consulting Engineers, and as an IT technician for the Tshwane University of Technology. He has a National Diploma in Engineering Computer Systems from Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa. Email Mr Elias Swandle

 
Thapelo Sekoma Logistics Assistant:
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 can speak seven South African languages.

 
Boitshepo Kubu Finance Administrator:
Boitshepo holds a National Diploma in Marketing from the Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa and previously worked as a senior sales consultant.
Taziona Sitamulaho Programme Assistant - RPO:
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 Administrative Assistant:
Leigh-Ann has vast experience in administration. She joined the Trust from the Imperial Group where she was an administrator for 5 years.


 

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