Coordinator’s Office

Doron Isaacs, Equal Education 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.

Lukhanyo Mangona, External Relations Officer

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. Lukhanyo has also worked in academic support programs that cater to high school learners. He is responsible for EE’s relationships with a wide range of organisations.

Yoni Bass, Development Officer

Yoni was born and grew up in Durban. He graduated with a law degree in 2009. He has been a senior leader in Habonim and spent 2010 working for the Social Justice Coalition. Yoni joined Equal Education at the beginning of 2011 to work in the areas of fundraising and development.

Policy, Communication & Research Department (PCR)

Yoliswa Dwane, Head of Department

Yoliswa grew up in Dimbaza Township in the Eastern Cape, finishing school in King William’ s Town. She has completed a degree in Media, Film & Visual studies, and an LLB, at UCT.  Yoliswa leads EE’s research, media engagement, law reform work and publications.

Dmitri Holtzman, Deputy Head of Department & Parliamentary Liaison Officer

Dmitri grew up in Pretoria and attained a BA degree in Law and English Literature at UCT, followed by an LLB at UWC. He organized the relaunch of the Street Law Project, and has chaired SLSJ. As EE’s Parliamentary Liaison Officer he makes written and oral presentations to parliamentary committees and engaged with MPs on the work of EE.

Karabo Klaas Adilan Monatisi, Communication and Media Liaison

Karabo grew up in Khayelitsha. He has worked for Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) as a data capturer and aided in the production of their newsletter. He has also volunteered at Cape Town Television as a camera operator and production assistant manager for a show called Stand Your Ground Youth. At EE he works on external media.

Jonny Wilkinson, Junior Researcher

Jonny was born in Cape Town and grew up in England. He returned to Cape Town in 2006 and attained a Bachelor of Social Science in Politics and Philosophy at UCT in 2009. In July 2010 he joined EE as an assistant in the Coordinator’s office. He currently works as Junior Researcher in the PCR Department. 

Gillian Benjamin, Visual Media

Gillian grew up in Johannesburg and Cape Town. She studied graphic design at the AAA School of Advertising, and then spent some time in the industry. Thereafter she completed a degree in Anthropology and Environmental Science at UCT. Gillian is responsible for Equal Education's visual communication, including graphic design, photography and film.

Kathryn Schneider, Media Officer and Assistant to Head of Department

Kathryn grew up in East London and Cape Town. She graduated in 2008 with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Stellenbosch University. She has previously worked at The Anna Feud Centre in London as an administration and research assistant. Kathryn joined EE in February 2011, and works on media projects, communications, and edits EE's magazine, The Equalizer.

Gina Fourie, Media Officer 

Gina grew up in Durban. She holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Pretoria and a Masters degree in Justice and Transformation from the University of Cape Town.

Administration & Logistics Department.

Michelle Adler, Operations Manager

Michelle grew up in Johannesburg and holds a B.Com from Wits University where she completed 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.

Cilia Ngubo, Administrator

Cilia was born in Mount Fletch in the Eastern Cape.  She grew up in Cape Town and attended Sinako Secondary School.  She is very active in her community, including its local ANC branch. She oversees all cash, payments and has undergone training in bookkeeping. 

Phumza Mhlungwini, Reception and Office Administration

Phumza grew up in Paarl and attended school in Khayelitsha. She has completed a Home Based Care course and was a volunteer at EE in 2010. Phumza runs EE’s reception, phones and office supplies.

Noma-Afrika Sombo, Office Housekeeping

Noma-AfrikaSombo was born in Thokoza Johannesburg and moved to Cape Town in 2007. She has been working for EE since 2008. She ensures that the EE office is a welcoming and productive working environment.

Youth Department

Joey Hasson, Head of Department

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.

Brad Brockman, Deputy Head of Department

Brad grew up in Cape Town, and matriculated at Westerford High School. He has a BA in History and Politics and Honours in History. During his honours, he focused on the history of the anti-apartheid struggle, including armed struggle, in Bonteheuwel. Brad’s previous work was at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. His work at EE focuses on community organising, including parents.

Nompumelelo Ngcobo, Logistics Administrator

Nompumelelo (Mpumi) grew up in Durban. She studied business at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is currently still pursuing her interest in business studies through UNISA. Mpumi also worked in the PR, Advertising and Communications industry for three and a half years before joining Equal Education. She handles major events and logistical arrangements.

Lumkile Zani

Lumkile grew up in Alice, Dimbaza, Zwelitsha and East London. He completed school at KwaMfundo High School in Khayelitsha. He studied photojournalism for a year, and later became a chef. He handles many administrative matters relating to campaigns and office work, particularly record keeping of membership, and is active in EE’s parent organising work.

Kelly Rosenthal, Coordinator of the Community Leadership Year

Kelly grew up in Johannesburg and Cape Town. She attended UCT for undergraduate studies in Environmental Science, History and Social Anthropology, as well as an Honours in Social Anthropology. Kelly then completed a Masters in African Studies at St Antony's College, University of Oxford. She coordinate’s the Community Leadership Year, an intensive year for EE members immediately after high school involving academic studies and leadership development.

Lwando Mzandisi, Head of Grade 8 Khayelitsha Youth Group

Lwando was among the first members of EE's youth group in 2008. He chaired EE first committee of student leaders and has played a central role in organising students from his old School Kwamfundo High in Harare as well as many other schools. He is currently studying to become a teacher at the University of the Western Cape.

Nokubonga Yawa, Head of Grade 9 Khayelitsha Youth Group

Nokubonga Yawa was one of EE's founding staff members. This is her 3rd year working as a youth group facilitator. Nokubonga is a trained Community Journalist as well as a TAC Treatment Literacy facilitator. She is the lead presenter for Community Media Trust's HIV/AIDS awareness television show Siyayinqoba - Beat it! She is a dedicated activist who knows from her own experiences, the struggles that young people face.

Luzuko Sidimba, Head of Grade 10 Khayelitsha Youth Group

Luzuko was a member of Equal Educations first youth group in 2008. He is a leader who has risen through the movement, and is now head of the Grade 10 Youth Group. Luzuko is interested in social change and is currently studying social work at the University of Cape Town.

Nokubonga Ralayo, Head of Grade 11 Khayelitsha Youth Group

Nokubonga Ralayo was part of EE's first youth group in 2008 and was the initiator of EE's campaign for a science teacher at her school, Chris Hani High in 2009 and spent 2010 doing activist work with EE, and improving her matric results. She is currently studying at the University of Cape Town. 

Pharie Sefali, Head of Grade 12 Khayelitsha Youth Group

Pharie joined Equal Education in 2009 and represented her school, Simon Estes Music School, on Equal Education's first leadership committee. She quickly ascended the ranks of the movement's leadership and after working as a leader for the Grade 11 & 12 youth group in 2010, was chosen to lead EE's new Grade 12 youth group. She is currently studying social work at the University of the Western Cape.

Zintle Makoba, Head of Kraaifontein Youth Group

Zintle joined EE in 2009 and served as member of EE's first leadership committee, representing her school, Harold Cressy High. She has represented the movement on many occasions bringing the legitimate voice of young people forward to express the struggles they face. Zintle is a strong female role model for many in the movement and is leading Kraaifontein's youth group in 2011. Zintle is currently studying toward a degree in the Humanities at the University of Cape Town. 

Ntuthuzo Ndzomo, Head of Mitchell's Plain Youth Group

Ntuthuzo joined Equal Education in 2008 and has played a key role in every campaign the movement has run. Ntuthuzo is a natural leader who understands that the struggle for a quality education is the most important thing young people need to be focusing their attention on. After working with Grade 10 during 2010 he has started an entirely new group in Mitchell's Plain in 2011.

Adam Sack, Leadership Training and Development for Youth Group Facilitators

Adam matriculated at Herzlia. He holds a B.Bus.Sci from UCT and is presently completing the final year of his LLB. He was the General Secretary of Habonim in 2008. He runs a weekly meeting for youth group facilitators and CL participants to develop the educational methods used in youth group meetings. 

Daniel Mackintosh, Curriculum Development

Daniel matriculated at Herzlia, and was Head Student. He holds a PPE (Honours) from UCT and is presently completing the final year of his LLB. He was the General Secretary of Habonim in 2007. He runs a quarterly seminar for heads of youth groups to develop content for the upcoming term.

Other Youth & Community Department Volunteers

Zukiswa Vuka, Yolanda Wellem, Ntombizanele Bam, Siphosethu Sibelekwana, Yolanda Ndaba, Luyolo Mazwembe, Portia Nyokana, Ngawethu Bokuva

The Bookery

Cosmas Mabeya, Project Manager

Cosmas grew up in Kenya and studied Politics at university. He has a background in banking with a keen interest in the Derivatives Market. Cosmas has also run a property agency in Cape Town. Cosmas is a book lover to the core, and has a passion for sharing his love of reading with kids.

Other Long-term Permanent Bookery Volunteers

Elisabeth Laemmer (who came from Germany), Alice Dunn (Britain), Avishka Juta (Canada), Noah Lerner (United States)