CHARLENE PETERSEN-VOSS
Executive Director
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 programmes, and she currently oversees TLT’s special projects. She focuses on education reform, including delving into models to enhance learning outcomes.
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.
YOLISA SHUGU
Projects Director
Yolisa is an experienced development professional with a decade of experience across Sub-Saharan Africa. She specialises in philanthropy, development consulting, corporate social investment, and education, designing high-impact programmes for inclusive growth and social empowerment. Yolisa holds a Master’s in Development Studies, a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management, with training in Asset-based Community-led Development.
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 organisations.
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 specialisation 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 is a development communications professional with nearly a decade of NGO experience. With a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science and a BA Honours in Integrated Organisational Communications, she has worked in sports for development, SRHR, social justice, governance, and education. At TLT, she drives strategic communications and advocacy efforts to demonstrate the impact of After School and enhance the visibility of ASPs as a strategic lever in the education ecosystem.
NOMFUNDO XANGU
Programme Officer
Nomfundo Xangu holds a BComm degree in financial management and is currently pursuing an Honours Degree in accounting sciences. With over a decade working in the non-profit sector, she passionately drives youth development. Beyond her financial and operational expertise, Nomfundo is a skilled classical clarinet player. Her extensive experience, coupled with a commitment to empowering the youth, defines her impactful contributions in both the financial space and the world of music.
NKANYEZI MASHIANOKE
Communications Intern
Nkanyezi holds a National Diploma in Language Practice and Media Studies, including a certificate in Social Media Marketing, which she obtained from the University of Cape Town, with a Golden Key Award. She has always been one to write compelling stories and essays that capture the significance of everyone who has the opportunity to read them. Her work includes developing engaging and informative content that aligns with TLT’s mission and vision.
LULAMA MAFANYA
Operations Officer
Lulama holds a National Diploma in Human Resource Management from Johannesburg Central College and an entry-level certification with Sage in Pastel Payroll. Additionally, she has certifications in Operations Management, Paralegal Studies, and Practical Labour Law from the University of Cape Town. Her experience encompasses front desk management, travel and event coordination, and various general operations functions.
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.
SIVIWE DLUKWANA
Trustee
Born and raised in Crossroads Township, Siviwe is an advocate for change in his community and neighbouring communities with high rates of poverty, unemployment, and crime. He founded Ikamva Labantwana Bethu in 2012, a TLT alumni grantee and Catch-up Coalition partner, to give marginalised children and youth access to improved educational opportunities and skills development.