Staff Centre

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Written by Equal Education - Admin
Monday, 28 September 2009 09:26
Mary Metcalfe, Chairperson

Professor Metcalfe is Director General of Higher Education. Until recently, she was Dean of the Faculty of Education at Wits University. She was previously MEC for Education in Gauteng, and Deputy Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. During this time was a member of the ANC PEC in Gauteng. Prior to democracy she worked on education policy for the ANC. She has a history of activism with the Black Sash, Detainees' Parents Support Committee and the National Education Crisis Committee, amongst other organisations. Mary is a qualified teacher and has worked in teacher training.
Crain Soudien

Professor Soudien is Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Cape Town. Previously he was head of the School of Education at UCT. His interests include sociology of education, race, class and gender; policy shifts in education; museum and heritage education. To date, Soudien has published 58 journal articles and 55 book chapters. He is the founder of the Southern African Comparative and History of Education Society, is a member of the American Educational Research Association, and was the president of the World Council of Comparative Education Societies in 2007. In 2008, Crain was a committee member for the Ministry of Education's Teacher Education Advisory Committee, and chair of the Ministerial Review Committee into transformation in higher education.
Zackie Achmat

Zackie Achmat became an activist in 1976, and thereafter became a leading figure in the youth activism that developed in the Cape. As an anti-apartheid activist and ANC member he was repeatedly imprisoned and spent time underground and in exile. He later formed the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality which successfully campaigned for non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. He spent time working at the AIDS Law Project, and in 1998 formed the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) which campaigned prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and for the rights of HIV-positive people. This won Zackie numerous awards, including a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Recently he founded the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) which works against social inequality and violence.
Nathan Geffen

Nathan Geffen joined the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) in 2000 and has since served as its National Manager and Director of Policy, Communications & Research. He is presently Treasurer of TAC. In his position as Director of Policy, Communications & Research, Nathan oversaw the development of TAC publications, the development of its advocacy around medicines, and the development of materials for mass public education on HIV. His activist interests have included Zimbabwe, Palestine/Israel and the rights of foreigners. His book on the history of AIDS denialism will be published soon.
Paula Ensor

A leading educationalist, Paula Ensor has been Dean of Humanities at the University of Cape Town since 2004. Her research interests lie mainly in the sociology of education and pedagogy. Her work in mathematics and teacher-education has received much recognition and has been widely published locally and internationally. A National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher, Professor Ensor has served in a range of capacities within the NRF appraisal system and is a regular reviewer for prestigious international educational journals. She is a member of numerous professional associations and, most notably, has served as president of the Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. Paula's undergraduate studies were in economics, followed by an MSc in education and PhD in mathematics education. Politically active during her undergraduate career, she held leadership positions in the National Union of South African Students (NUSAS). Eventually banned in terms of the Suppression of Communism Act by the apartheid regime, she travelled to Britain, where she lived in exile for 15 years, and continued her anti-Apartheid activity.
Doron Isaacs

Doron Isaacs is the co-ordinator of Equal Education. See his biography in the staff section.

Full Time Staff
Doron Isaacs
Coordinator

Doron grew up in Durban and attained degrees in finance & law at UCT. He has previously led Habonim South Africa, and Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ). He is responsible for the overall management and operations at Equal Education.
Yoliswa Dwane
Head of Department: Policy, Communications & Research (PCR)

Yoliswa grew up in Dimbaza Township in the Eastern Cape and went on to study Media, Film & Visual studies at UCT. She completed a law degree at UCT in 2007. Yoliswa monitors all education research, news, and law reforms, and is responsible for ensuring all work and activism is based on reliable evidence.
Michelle Adler
Operations Manager

Michelle grew up in Johannesburg and received a B.Com at Wits University where she completed an Honours in Business Economics. Michelle has recently moved to Cape Town after working in London and Johannesburg. She is responsible for overseeing administration, finances and internal organisational development.
Joey Hasson
Head of Department: Youth & Campaigns

Joey grew up in Zimbabwe, after which he came to South Africa to pursue his studies in the social sciences. He has previously worked for Treatment Action Campaign, the trade union sector, and a research-consulting group. Joey is responsible for the overall operation of the youth group, seminars, camps and EE’s program of informal education. His department plans campaigns that raise key issues and build the membership of Equal Education.
Lukhanyo Mangona
Researcher PCR

Lukhanyo grew up in Mxaxo in the Eastern Cape, and completed High School at Bulumko High School in Khayelitsha. He has a background in the mining industry where he worked as a Mineral Processing Technician. He has always been involved in providing academic support and is passionate about education. Lukhanyo helps conducts research into education and is responsible for keeping the organisation up to date on law reforms, policy developments and the monitoring of all education news.
Ahmed Mohamed
Parliamentary Officer, PCR

Ahmed is Somalian, and has lived in South Africa for almost ten years. He has a Masters in Economics (first class), and has worked at IDASA and at the University of the Western Cape as a lecturer in economics. He also spent time working in the Public Finance Unit of the Financial and Fiscal Commission, a constitutional body responsible for overseeing budgetary processes in the country. He has published extensively in the fields of HIV/AIDS, taxation, crime, the 2010 World Cup, and the parliamentary budget office. All his work is underpinned by a thorough command of economics. Ahmed’s role is to engage Parliament and to bring MPs to EE.
Mercy Erhiwarien
Researcher, PCR

Mercy is Nigerian. She is currently completing an MPhil in Public Policy at UCT. She has worked at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG). She was also active in a campaign to legislate for a living wage in the state of Maryland, in the United States. Mercy’s focus is the magazine Equal Education.
Lumkile Zani
Administrator

Lumkile grew up in Alice, Dimbaza, Zwelitsha and East London. He completed school at KwaMfundo High School in Khayelitsha. He studied photo-journalism for a year, and later became a chef. He supports the organisation on administrative matters, particularly record keeping of membership, finances, supplies and contact lists.
Nokubonga Yawa
Youth Development Officer for Grade 8 - 9

Nokubonga grew up in Nyanga, Cape Town. She is a presenter on “Siyanqoba Beat It” On SABC. She, along with Lwandiso, plans and leads the youth group meetings, camps, and seminars. She also takes a leading role in campaigns and serves as a direct channel of communication with members.
Lwandiso Stofile
Youth & Development Officer for Grade 10 - 12

Lwandiso grew up in Bulembu in the Eastern Cape. He completed school at Harry Gwala High School in Khayelitsha. He has over seven years of volunteer experience in the fields of sexual and reproductive health and in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lwandiso is passionate about his work and especially enjoys his leadership role at EE. He, along with Nokubonga, helps direct the camps and seminars, in addition to planning and coordinating the biweekly youth group meetings.
Luzuko Sidimba
Equal Educator

Luzuko grew up in Cape Town and finished school at KwaMfundo High School in Khayelitsha. He started his work at Equal Education as a youth group member, participating in meetings and attending the camps and has recently joined the organisation as a full-time intern. Luzuko is a role model, mentor and counselor for EE’s members and serves as a leader of the youth groups.
Zingisani Nkanjeni
Equal Educator

Zingi grew up in the Eastern Cape but and finished school at Esangweni High School in Khayelitsha. He has previously worked with Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa and the Treatment Action Campaign. Zingi enjoys politics and is actively involved in the Young Communist League. He also actively works alongside youth group members, acting as a role model and mentor.

Khayelitsha Leadership Committee PDF Print E-mail edit
Youth Group Interim Leadership Committee*

Amanda Mbali
Andiswa Mrwetyana
Asanda Mankayi
Ayathemba Njovane
Lwando Mboniso
Lwando Mzandisi
Masiviwe Nohashe
Mnoneleli Ngubo
Nkosinathi Dayimani
Nokubonga Ralayo
Nomzekelo Marala
Ntuthuzo Nzdomo
Olwethu Matyesini
Ongeziwe Mphani
Phathiswa Shushwana
Pheliswa Setati
Shanely Phelemone
Simbonile Tshem
Simthembile Ngamlana
Siyasanga Qomoyi
Thando Nogxaza
Yolanda Mbekeni
Zintle Buya
Nokubonga Ralayo

* Elections will be held at the start of 2010 to formally elect official representatives from all youth structures in Equal Education.

School Libraries Advisory Committee PDF Print E-mail edit

Prof. Genevieve Hart (UWC)
Prof. Paula Ensor (UCT)
Peter Henshall
Prof. Mary Nassimbeni (UCT)
Nkosinathi Mahala (Khayelitsha Librarian)
Khosi Mabandla (WCED)
Rose Damon (WCED)

The Campaign for School Library has the following Patrons:
Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Lebo Mashile, Sindiwe Magona, Gcina Mhlophe, Nadine Gordimer, Dean Rowan Smith, Simphiwe Dana, Hip Hop Pantsula, Prof Mary Metcalfe, Vuyiseka Dubula, Graeme Bloch, Elinor Sisulu, JM Coetzee, Prof Njabulo S Ndebele