Staff

Melusi Cele, Basketball Coach

Melusi Cele became Thanda’s basketball coach in January 2010.  Prior to taking up his current position, he taught Focus on Matric, a class that helps twelfth grade students prepare for their graduation exams, and English at Thanda After-School for almost a year.  Melusi graduated from nearby Khathi High School in 2008 and still lives in the Umtwalume community.  Melusi is thrilled to be coaching the Thanda Celtics, teaching his students valuable life lessons alongside dribbling and shooting.  When he’s not honing his basketball skills, Melusi can be found practicing his English on anyone who will listen to him.

Amanda Dlamini, Youth Education Program Teacher

Amanda Dlamini teaches students in kindergarten, first, and second grades in Thanda’s Youth Education Program.  Amanda graduated from nearby Kwa-Fica High School in 2005.  She has always loved working with youth of all ages and was teaching preschool in Durban before joining Thanda.  She dreams of one day being able to work as a caregiver for infants in the children’s ward at a hospital.

Mbongeleni Doyisa, Construction & Agriculture Teacher

Mbongeleni Doyisa, who goes by Twin, began working for Thanda in 2008 offering English assistance to twelfth grade students.  He has since developed his own curriculum for Thanda’s Construction and Agriculture Program for high school students, where he’s knee deep in teaching them about things like poultry farming and vegetable gardening.  Twin enjoys working on community projects during his free time, such as rebuilding homes and planting gardens.

Sbusiso Goba, Soccer Coach

Sbusiso Goba took over Thanda’s soccer program in January 2009.  Originally from Zululand (just north of Durban), Sbu is studying to be a geography teacher through South Africa’s correspondence university program, UNISA.  Sbu enjoys the practical teaching experience he’s getting through Thanda and loves getting to share his favorite sport with his students.

S’khulile Saresia Gumede, Art Teacher

S’khulile Gumede, who prefers to go by Lungelo, is Thanda’s art teacher.  Lungelo brings a lot of energy to Thanda After-School.  She likes working with high school students because she can encourage them to focus on their studies and help them find ways to earn money for university.  Lungelo graduated from local Khathi High School in 2003 and spent the following year volunteering for the Red Cross doing home-based care.  She also volunteered as a clerk at the local KwaQwabe Tribal Court.  Lungelo wants to be a lawyer someday so she can give people a voice in court.

Sandile Mbili, Computer Teacher

Sandile Mbili is a former Thanda After-School computer student who graduated from Khathi High School in 2008.  Growing up in nearby Kwa-Qwabe, Mtwalume, Sandile always aspired to be an electrician.  He discovered his knack for computers as a standout student in Thanda’s computer class, so he was given teacher training and took over the program at the beginning of 2009.  Sandile enjoys working at Thanda because of the encouragement and guidance he receives from his colleagues.

Thandeka Mdabe, Resource Center Coordinator

Thandeka Mdabe is in charge of Thanda After-School’s Resource Center. She and Olivia Seay have worked together to organize generous amounts of donated books for Thanda’s teachers and students to take advantage of.  Thandeka is an alum of Khathi High School, so she understands the situations many of Thanda’s students face.  Prior to coming to Thanda, Thandeka worked at a primary school.  She hopes to be a teacher someday.

Simiso Mfeka, Youth Education Program Teacher

Simiso Mfeka teaches fifth grade students at Thanda After-School.  As Thanda’s former soccer coach, Simiso focuses on teamwork, cooperation, and having fun with his students.  Before joining Thanda, Simiso spent six years volunteering in a hospital.  Simiso’s enthusiasm and hard work are reflected in the attitudes of his students, and his constant smile keeps everyone around him in good spirits.

Delisile Mqadi, Feeding Program Coordinator

Delisile Mqadi is responsible for feeding over 200 children each day.  This is her first job, and she is now able to support her young daughter, her disabled father, four of her sisters, and her cousin’s three orphaned children.  She hopes to be a social worker one day.

Sibusiso Msimango, Thanda After-School Manager

Sibusiso Msimango, better known to his colleagues as Raah, is Thanda After-School’s manager.  He first joined Thanda straight out of high school to teach physical science, life science, and mathematics.  Raah graduated first in his class at Khathi High School and is widely recognized by fellow students and community members as a good role model.  Raah eventually hopes to go to university to become a doctor or a nurse.

Xolani Ngubane, Youth Education Program Teacher

Xolani Ngubane teaches sixth and seventh grade students in Thanda’s Youth Education Program.  Lani’s kids can usually be found singing and dancing outside, or having boisterous fun doing after-school projects in the classroom.  Originally from Durban, Xolani is a graduate of Sacred Heart Children’s Home.  After matriculating in 2006, he spent a year teaching English and geography at Sizanayo High School.  Xolani’s motivation and passion for teaching are clear, and he serves as a great example for his students.

Nqobile Precious Nkonyeni, Youth Education Program Teacher

Nqobile Nkonyeni, who goes by Precious, joined Thanda in January 2009 as the sixth and seventh grade teacher and has since moved on to teaching the younger kids.  Originally from Assis, but a resident of Umtwalume since she was 12 years old, Precious graduation from Khathi High School in 2004 at the top of her class.  After graduation, she worked in sales promotion in Durban until moving back to Umtwalume with her daughter, Angel, to live with her family.  Precious enjoys working at Thanda because she can help some of the children in her community who face the same situations she had to deal with growing up.

Delisile Sithole, Community Assistance Coordinator

As Thanda’s Community Assistance Coordinator, Delisile Sithole conducts needs-assessments with Thanda’s children, visiting their families and talking with them to determine their home situations.  She also educates families on preventing diseases, maintaining sanitation, and applying for government grants.  Prior to joining Thanda in 2008, Delisile volunteered with the Red Cross for three years before being made the Red Cross HIV/AIDS Facilitator in 2000, a position she retained until coming to Thanda.  Delisile’s commitment to assisting Thanda’s children and their families has been instrumental in carrying out Thanda’s community initiatives, and her knowledge and level of professionalism have been indispensable assets to the program

Nosipho Sithole, Netball Coach

Nosipho Sithole developed and runs Thanda After-School’s netball program.  Her dedication, enthusiasm, and love for the students and the game of netball are inspiring.  Nosipho’s strong bond with her girls has allowed her to reach them on a more personal level, which enables her to speak openly to them about the issues and challenges they face.  Nosipho hopes to be able to go to school for mechanical engineering.