Board of Directors

Mdebuka MtwaziChairperson of the Board
Mdebuka is the Executive Director of Sikhula Sonke Early Childhood Development and has led the organisation for more than 10 years.

Nafeesa RahbeeniBoard Member
Nafeesa is Operations Manager at the Foundation for Community Work. She is a social worker by profession, and was formerly a Projects Manager and Foster Care Worker at the Cape Flats Development Association.

Pulane KingstonBoard Member
Pulane is a Partner at Webber Wentzel. She was formerly a Managing Principal of Absa Capital, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Sphere Equity Holdings, and a Fellow of the African Leadership Institute.

Linda BiersteekerBoard Member
Linda is a developmental psychologist and adult educator with nearly 40 years of research, training and programming experience in the early childhood development sector. She has undertaken extensive research on ECD policy, programming and training strategies in South Africa, the Eastern and Southern African region and internationally.

Fatima AbbaBoard Member
Fatima is a partner in the Accounting and Auditing Technical department at Deloitte and has been in the division for eight years. In this role, she supports both the audit practice as well as clients in interpreting and applying IFRS and GRAP. She also served on the board of a national South African NGO called SANZAF.

Tebogo SkwambaneBoard Member
Tebogo is a Partner at McKinsey & Company. She was formerly a Managing Partner at Monitor South Africa, and a Director at North Road Consulting. Tebogo is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a Fellow of the African Leadership Institute.

John SmelcerBoard Member
John is a Business Development Director at Globeleq. He was formerly a Director at Webber Wentzel and National Programme Director of the Public Policy Partnership in South Africa.

David JefferyBoard Member
David is a Senior Public Policy Consultant. He was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of the Mikhulu Trust, and previously worked as a regional coordinator for the Nali’bali Trust.
Advisory Board

Lynne MurrayAdvisory Board Member
Lynne is Emeritus Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Reading in the UK. She is a Fellow of the British Academy.

Peter CooperAdvisory Board Member
Peter is Emeritus Professor in Psychopathology at the University of Reading in the UK. He is a Fellow of the British Academy.