Jade Jacobsohn is responsible for the scale-up phase of the Nal’ibali campaign, working with the management team to provide strategic direction for campaign partnerships and growth. She is a seasoned anthropologist with research experience in South Africa, Uganda and Malawi, and has a solid grassroots background in the Eastern Cape as founder and Programme Manager of the Sophakama Community Partnership. She has managed various educational projects, specifically focused on early childhood development and environmental education within economically deprived areas, and has worked closely with Anglo American, Takalani Sesame and Food for Development. Her academic qualifications include a BSocSci (Hons) in Anthropology and Environmental Science from Rhodes University, and an MSc in Anthropology, Environment and Development from University College London.
Meet the team behind the Nal’ibali magic! Based across the country, each one of these individuals works to bring the power of stories to as many South Africans as possible. From the Communications gurus, to the Programmes heroes and Operations wizards, we’re a diverse team of passionate people - from all walks of life, and with all kinds of stories.
Meet the team
Thulile Seleka
Thulile joined the Nal'ibali team at its inception and has led its ever expanding programmes department since. Managing a large team spread across the country, Thulile has exceptional communications and management skills and is always seeking to development her team for greatness. She has more than 15 years experience in the development sector and is currently studying towards a post-graduate diploma in public management.
Mzwandile Shakespeare Dwangu
Ben Rycroft
Ben joined the Nal'ibali team in June 2016. He has a BA degree from Stellenbosch University, a postgraduate diploma in Account Management from AAA School of Advertising and a Business Management Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Business Management. He has 17 years in the marketing and communications arena, five of which were spent living and working in Australia. His integrated 360° marketing skill set includes CRM, direct marketing, through-and-below-the-line advertising, design and digital.
An avid reader, Ben also enjoys running, travel and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Este Buchholz
Este joined Nal’ibali in September 2016 to drive the recruitment and human resources function. She qualified with a BA Industrial Psychology degree from the University of Stellenbosch and has more than twenty years’ experience in the processes and the complexities of recruiting for organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
The majority of her experience was gained working as an Executive Recruiter with the Social Care and Health Sector in the United Kingdom as a partner for a niche public sector recruitment business. She joined Deloitte’s Cape Town office shortly after her return to South Africa in 2014.
Chibi Chauruka
Chibi joined Nal’ibali from Amnesty International South Africa in November 2016 to drive the finance function. He has more than twenty-five years’ experience from a banking, manufacturing and NGO background. He has also previously worked for other International NGOs such as Humana People to People and the Read Educational Trust.
He holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) from the University of South Africa, a Graduate in Advanced Taxation Certificate from the University of Pretoria and is a member of the South African Tax Professionals.
Buhle Delo
Katie Huston
Katie heads up research and innovation at the Nal’ibali campaign. Before joining the team, she spent three years supporting and learning from education champions as a portfolio manager at the DG Murray Trust. She’s also worked at the South African Education Project (SAEP); co-authored two ‘economics for dummies’ books; and represented South Africa at the Ultimate Frisbee world championships. A Marshall Scholar, she has a BA in Journalism (University of Massachusetts Amherst), an MA in Global Political Economy (University of Sussex), and an MSc in Social Anthropology (London School of Economics).
