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
Rachel Bukasa
Rachel joined us in September 2018 as the General Manager of Operations. Previously she was the Executive Director of a United Nations implementing partner organisation in South Africa. Prior to moving to the NGO sector, Rachel practiced as an attorney specialising in corporate law. She has a master’s degree in human rights and development.
Nompumelelo Prusent
Nompumelelo Prusent has a multiform career journey sprouting from humble beginnings and different industry sectors including corporate, community development, education and training. Her career path has footprints, influenced by her work experience and academic achievements in different fields of study to mention a few (Diploma Labour Relations; Diploma Government Studies; Diploma Marketing Management (IMM); BBA Degree (Preston University); MBA (MANCOSA).
Mzwandile Shakespeare Dwangu
Vacant
Vanashree Pinto
Vanashree joined the team in January 2019. She is responsible for Content and Learning at Nal’ibali. She has extensive experience in book production and training design, having worked in the adult literacy space, schools textbook publishing and a large HIV awareness campaign. She has worked previously at NGOs including Project Literacy and the New loveLife Trust. She brings to the team her insights in working within the SETA environment. Her academic qualifications include a BA degree, Honours and Higher Diploma in Education.
Arabella Koopman
Arabella conceptualises, develops and manages the multilingual reading and literacy-support materials of the campaign, and assists with the develop of literacy training material. She is a published author and publisher with more than 23 years writing and commissioning experience. She holds particular expertise in children’s literature, textbook development, and the development and suitability assessment of books and other reading materials intended for use in multilingual settings. Arabella has a special interest in developing and researching materials that support and extend children’s literacy. She holds a Master's degree in Education, specialising in literacy acquisition in multilingual settings.
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 qualification in Business Management 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 socialising.
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).
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.
