Leading the change.
Meet our team
Behind all of our success is one dedicated team. Each one of these passionate individuals works tirelessly to create lasting change.
MARION WAGNER
Marion joined in 2014 with extensive corporate experience, following a 20-year career at Shell International leading global projects. She later served as COO at Umthombo Wesizwe and Deputy Director at African Solutions to African Problems. She holds a UK BA (Hons), a German Business Administration degree, and an MBA from Heriot-Watt University. Her voluntary work includes chairing an Improvement District, supporting the Homestead Street Children’s Project, and five years as a volunteer wildfire fighter. She has completed over 50 marathons, including 11 ultras, and led the Enduroman Challenge relay team, which swam the English Channel.
MARION WAGNER
JACO DE KOCK
With over 14 years of experience across corporate finance, nonprofit leadership, impact strategy, and governance, Jaco de Kock specialises in building sustainable financial models, innovative funding structures, and scalable operational systems that drive real-world change.
He is a Chartered Accountant and a catalyst for positive, well-organized change. Jaco never settles for the status quo — instead, he sees opportunities for innovation in every process and views missed attempts as essential steps on the path to success.
In short, he is NGO finance meets corporate finesse, with a dash of policy wizard and a whole lot of purpose.
JACO DE KOCK
LENE ØVERLAND
Lene has worked for more than two decades across Africa’s not-for-profit landscape. She is deeply committed to impact and locally driven innovation. Lene champions solutions that unleash the power of individuals, communities, and financiers to co-create a better future. She believes in fostering an inclusive environment where all stakeholders harness local resources and overcome challenges.
LENE ØVERLAND
SELINA KLEINSMITH
Selina joined Breadline Africa in 2004, transitioning from its administrative partner, Isonka Trust. With a strong marketing background, she’s passionate about using her skills to support under-resourced communities through the NGO sector, which she describes as “where she truly belongs.” Deeply family-oriented, Selina enjoys spending her free time doing activities her children love and raising them to care about others. Her dedication to making a difference is matched by her commitment to creating lasting impact through the work Breadline Africa does.
SELINA KLEINSMITH
ADRIAN KEARNS
Adrian Kearns is a seasoned NGO and public sector leader with over 20 years of experience in strategy, service delivery, and civic tech-enabled development. As Head of Programmes at Breadline Africa, he leads infrastructure initiatives supporting early childhood development in underserved communities. Previously, he served as Head of Strategic Services at Bergrivier Municipality, where he championed citizen-centered planning and accessibility of development frameworks. Adrian also managed national platforms like Vulekamali and Municipal Money at OpenUp, fostering transparency and public participation. He brings expertise in agile project management and product ownership, driving collaborative, data-informed solutions that strengthen institutions and empower communities.
ADRIAN KEARNS
WARREN POVEY
Warren joined Breadline Africa in 2024 as Head of Strategic Partnerships. With 16 years of corporate experience, he now leads the organisation’s business development efforts and Pit Toilet Campaign alongside the Director. A Grey High School alumnus, he’s studied at Nelson Mandela University, GIBS, and UNISA. Outside work, Warren enjoys traveling with his wife Tlangelani, exploring local cultures, braaing, and lawn bowls. A sports enthusiast and former contestant on Ultimate Braai Master, he brings energy and strategic insight to his role.
WARREN POVEY
METTE KIRSTEN
Mette spends her days turning big ideas into bold campaigns and making sure the right stories reach the right hearts at the right time. At Breadline Africa, she turns purpose into action, building classrooms, bringing dignity and sparking hope. Previously, she led award-winning global marketing in finance, and before that, ran a fashion brand and digital agency, proof she’s not afraid of a challenge. She loves sharp thinking, getting things done and cooking feasts for friends and family (offset by just enough sport).
METTE KIRSTEN
NONJABULO MTWA
Nonjabulo joined Breadline Africa in 2023 as a social impact professional specialising in impact measurement and management. She has expertise in research, monitoring, evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and impact reporting. With experience in conducting SROI-based studies, she holds a BSc Honours in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Social Science in Geography & Environmental Management. Passionate about sustainable development, she actively contributes to climate action and community development.
NONJABULO MTWA
JANINE MCEVOY
Janine builds meaningful connections that turn generosity into impact. With years of corporate experience in project management and business development in the exhibition and events space, she brings a sharp eye for detail, a quick wit and a no-fuss approach to getting things done. A firm believer in the power of collaboration and co-creation, she is deeply passionate about community upliftment and lasting change. Outside of work, Janine finds joy in shared adventures with loved ones and getting lost in a well-written crime novel.
JANINE MCEVOY
KIM VOLLER
Kim joined Breadline Africa in 2019 as a digital marketing specialist. She’s passionate about growing digital channels and crafting creative campaigns that drive results. With experience across sectors, Kim takes a hands-on approach to social media strategy and emerging tech. An avid cyclist and adventure enthusiast, she also loves photography and is always ready to explore new experiences. At Breadline Africa, she blends creativity and strategy to help amplify the organisation’s mission.
KIM VOLLER
JOHAN NEL
Johan joined Breadline Africa in 2020 as Marketing Manager, bringing broad experience in the media industry, with a focus on digital and print subscription marketing and business development. He studied advertising at the AAA School of Advertising, holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Management from UCT, and earned an MBA from UCT’s Graduate School of Business. A member of the Mountain Club of South Africa and a passionate woodworker, Johan spends his free time exploring the outdoors or covered in sawdust.
JOHAN NEL
CLEON MEYER
Cleon joined Breadline Africa in 2007 as a Junior Marketing Assistant. She has since obtained a Marketing degree and is currently a valuable member of our Marketing Team. Cleon is responsible for Breadline Africa’s extensive Direct Mail Programme which spans South Africa, Ireland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. She is the proud mother of two young girls and is very enthusiastic about her contribution to community development.
CLEON MEYER
DEBBIE BEUKMAN
Debbera is Breadline Africa’s dedicated Finance and Administration Manager. Since joining the organisation in 2002, Debbera’s passion for purposeful work has led her to contribute across almost every area of our operations. Her wealth of knowledge and experience makes her an invaluable team member — affectionately known as our “institutional memory.” When she’s not working with spreadsheets, she expresses her creativity through painting and other artistic pursuits.
DEBBIE BEUKMAN
GAIL DREYER
Gail joined Breadline Africa in 2009 and has served Breadline Africa’s cause in both the programmes and marketing departments. With prior experience at Grow Peace in Africa, she brings strong administrative and community engagement skills. Gail works closely with beneficiary organisations and is passionate about grassroots change, believing that “the community is her university.” When she’s not at work, she enjoys running, avoids messy rooms, and does a mean push-up. She believes that we all have a role to play in building a better society.
GAIL DREYER
JODIE MANS
Jodie joined Breadline Africa in 2023 as Technical Field Manager, with a decade of experience in public and private sector project management, particularly in education and healthcare. He’s highly skilled in alternative building methodologies and oversees projects from design to installation. A former BMX national athlete and South African colours recipient, Jodie has competed globally and now channels his adventurous spirit into fishing, travel, and outreach initiatives. His drive for impact matches his passion for innovation in construction.
JODIE MANS
NYARADZO MUTANHA
Nyaradzo joined Breadline Africa as M&E Specialist in 2024, bringing over a decade of experience in socio-economic development. Passionate about impact measurement, she ensures that every resource invested answers the question: “so what?” Her background spans public health, job creation, community care, and financial inclusion. She holds a Master’s in Development Studies (Cum Laude) from UFS and is pursuing a PhD in Education. Nyaradzo is dedicated to uplifting communities through education and enjoys motivational books, movies, and hiking in her free time.
NYARADZO MUTANHA
YAZID ADAMS
Yazid joined Breadline Africa in 2024 as a Maintenance Contracts Quantity Surveyor. With over 10 years of experience in construction management and quantity surveying—across both public and private sectors—he also brings 11 years of expertise in writing manufacturer detail specifications. He holds a National Diploma in Construction and a BTech in Quantity Surveying. A devoted father of four, Yazid enjoys fishing, spending time with family, and cheering for Liverpool, the Stormers, and the Springboks. He’s proud to support an organisation that provides safety and dignity to young children.
YAZID ADAMS
EMILY O’RYAN
Emily studied International Politics at Stellenbosch University and co-authored Learning under Lockdown with Professor Jonathan Jansen, exploring the impact of COVID-19 on education.
She brings a solid background in research, community projects and stakeholder engagement. In her business development role, Emily focusses on building and nurturing relationships with corporates that invest in early childhood development through Breadline Africa.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, meaningful conversations and exploring hidden gems around Cape Town.
EMILY O’RYAN
Our board
Our board comprises committed leaders who bring expertise, vision, and guidance to our purpose.
KHULEKANI DLAMINI
Khulekani Dlamini is an aeronautical engineer with close to 20 years of experience in investment markets. He obtained a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. He joined CSIR’s Aerotek Division as a researcher and subsequently joined a telecommunications company, Comverse Network Systems in Israel for three years. He worked at Investec Asset Management in Cape Town after which he co-founded Afena Capital, which he sold in 2016. Khulekani currently runs KD Capital and Lwembu Group, both of which are financial services companies.
Khulekani is an advisory board member of the University of Stellenbosch’s Business School and was appointed as the Chair of Breadline Africa in 2024.
KHULEKANI DLAMINI
Godfrey Mokaeane
Godfrey Mokaeane is a social impact entrepreneur, with a key focus on investing in businesses that can benefit from this. He also runs his own businesses that have strong social missions. He is Group CEO of Motion Holding Group. He assists and guides non-profit organisations globally to make the shift to for-profit with a social mission.
Godfrey also mentors more than 40 entrepreneurs and invests early in their start-ups, with the intention of injecting his ethos of social impact.
He is also Alumnus of the United States of America IVLP (International Visitors Leadership Program), where he drives partnerships between South African and US entrepreneurs, through the Consulate based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Godfrey Mokaeane
Xolani Nxanga
Xolani Nxanga is a dynamic executive with 27 years of experience in financial services. Currently serving as Director and Managing Executive at Guardrisk, which is part of the JSE listed Momentum Metropolitan Group. He leads with a strategic mindset honed through leadership roles at Old Mutual , Liberty and other industry giants. With expertise spanning retail banking and insurance across Africa and beyond, Xolani is known for his leadership abilities, contributions to strategy development, venture creation and business integration. A visionary leader, he has successfully launched Guardrisk Microinsurance Division and Guardrisk’s LAUNCHPAD InsurTech initiative. Xolani’s impactful career showcases a relentless commitment to innovation and excellence in the insurance landscape.
Xolani Nxanga
Ben Elwes
Ben embarked on a career in fund management in early 1987 soon after graduating from Bristol University with an Honours degree in Economics and Politics. Since then he has been involved in several aspects of the financial world and is a qualified member of the Society of Investment Professionals and of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. In the recent past, Ben has also been a trustee of the Order of Malta Volunteers charity and became a trustee of Breadline Africa in 2010.
Ben Elwes
Stephen Lalor
Stephen has spent his career in the Irish civil service, joining the Irish Department of Defence in 1973 and working in various branches, including personnel, contracts and property management. He spent ten years in the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister). From 2004 to his retirement in 2007, he worked as assistant secretary to the President of Ireland. He has a B.A.(Mod) and an M. Litt. In philosophy, and a Ph.D. in public administration, from Trinity College, Dublin. He joined the Irish Advisory Committee of Breadline Africa in 2015 and has been on the International Board since 2016.
Stephen Lalor
Hendrik Struik
Hendrik has been a trustee of Breadline Africa The Netherlands since 2015 and was appointed to the role of chairman in 2017. He has a law degree from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a post-graduate degree from the College of Europe in Bruges. He is currently a judge in the Amsterdam Court of Appeal and practiced law as a partner at the CMS Netherlands law firm from 1984 to 2018.
Hendrik Struik
Peter Attard Montalto
Peter became a Trustee of Breadline Africa in 2014, bringing a wealth of experience of South Africa from his day job as an Emerging Market’s Economist and consultant. Peter has a broad experience working with emerging markets across Africa, Europe and Middle East over his career but a particularly in-depth and long-standing concentration on South Africa – researching the country’s economy, markets and politics. He advises a wide range of foreign and local investors, from pension funds to hedge funds and companies currently active or considering gaining a presence in South Africa, as well as foreign and local banks – about risks and opportunities within the country.
Peter is a Managing Director at South African consultancy and research company Krutham (Formerly Intellidex). He continues to be based in London but travels to South Africa regularly. Peter has an extensive profile as a commentator and thought leader on economic and political issues and a particular interest in the drivers of long-term development of South Africa with a focus on education and township economies. He studied Mathematics and Economics at Cambridge University and was previously at Lehman Brothers and Japanese bank Nomura. Peter enjoys collecting South African wine and art amongst his hobbies.
Peter Attard Montalto
Ruth Kamau
Ruth Kamau has extensive experience in business and as an entrepreneur. Throughout her career, she has worked in the hospitality, food-related and healthcare industries. She has worked in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria and New Zealand.
She is currently managing director and co-owner of iKhaya Lodge and Conference Centre, a boutique guesthouse and conference venue in the heart of the Cape Town City Bowl. Born in Kenya, Ruth holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University (UK) and a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Kenyatta University (Kenya). She is fluent in English, Kikuyu, Kiswahili and speaks conversational French.
Ruth Kamau
Louise Seligman
Louise is a founding trustee of Breadline Africa and was the Chairman of the international board for 17 years until July 2016. Louise has worked in the voluntary sector for the past 20 years. Before moving into the voluntary sector, Louise worked as a Financial Services head hunter and prior to this, she spent several years working in the research and marketing side of the Financial Times conferences division. Louise has an M.A. in modern history from Oxford University.
Louise Seligman
Sir Robert Dunbar
Sir Robert has been a trustee of Breadline Africa and member of the UK Advisory Committee since 2007 and is the chairman of Breadline’s International Finance Committee. He has an MA in jurisprudence from Oxford University and, following Law School in Chester, qualified as a solicitor with Allen & Overy in 1982. After several years working in their private client department, he joined Mercury Warburg Investment Management to handle the investment affairs of private individuals and charities.
Sir Robert Dunbar
Professor Eric Atmore
Eric is a master’s graduate in social planning and administration. He is Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Development at the University of Cape Town and also founder and director of the Centre for Early Childhood Development. Eric has worked in the non-profit sector for 36 years, and has lectured at various universities and consulted to a range of non-profit organisations around South Africa. He has been published extensively, including refereed and peer-reviewed articles, chapters in books and conference proceedings and numerous articles in the media.
Professor Eric Atmore
Mariella Norman
Mariella was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, finished her schooling in the UK but returned to South Africa to complete a B. Com (Economics) degree at the University of Natal in 1980. Having always been interested in Psychology, she completed a Post-graduate Diploma in Coaching at the South African College of Applied Psychology and worked with managers and team leaders in the NGO sector in Cape Town. In 2012, her husband’s career required a move to the Netherlands, where she was appointed an International Trustee for Breadline Africa, Nederland. Mariella and her husband currently reside in Cape Town.
Mariella Norman
Sir Alex Chisholm
Sir Alex Chisholm was appointed Chair EDF UK in June 2024, and Non-Executive Director at BT Group in September 2024. In his previous role he served as Chief Operating Officer for the UK Civil Service and Permanent Secretary of the UK’s Cabinet Office 2020-24. He was awarded a knighthood for public service in King Charles III’s first Honours List in June 2023. From 2016-20 he was Permanent Secretary at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Previously he served as Chief Executive of the UK’s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA). Prior to that Alex served as Chairperson and Commissioner of Ireland’s communications regulatory agency, ComReg.
Over a 34-year career-to-date, Alex has held a variety of senior executive posts in a wide range of public policy and business positions, in the UK and Ireland, including government and regulatory agencies, an international media business, internet start-ups and a software services supplier.
Alex has operated at the top level of government for over a decade. His experience and skills lie primarily in organisational leadership, strategy, change management; net zero transition, digital transformation, economic regulation; energy, technology and communications.
Sir Alex Chisholm
Bronwyn Nortje
Bronwyn is a strategist with more than a decade of experience advising blue-chip corporations, civil society, and governments on strategic approaches to stakeholder management, campaign development, and crisis communications. She specialises in designing and implementing multi-platform, multi-stakeholder projects and has in-depth knowledge of the South African media and political economy. Formerly a financial journalist, Ms Nortje was Markets Editor at Business Day and a columnist at Business Day, the Financial Mail, and the Sunday Times. She has a background in research and holds an undergraduate and honours degree from the University of Cape Town (South Africa).
Bronwyn Nortje
Our ambassadors
Our ambassadors are passionate advocates who use their voices and platforms to champion our purpose.
Zolani Mahola
Zolani Mahola, a South African singer, actress, storyteller, and inspirational speaker, is a celebrated artist who has graced the same stage as music legends like Stevie Wonder and Hugh Masekela. Known for her ability to unite people through her art, she launched her solo career in 2019, transcending social, racial, and cultural divides.
Passionate about empowering children and youth, she is an ambassador for the Seachange Project, Zip Zap Circus School, Morris Isaacson Centre for Music, and the Earthchild Project. Her 2019 self-penned one-woman play, “The One Who Sings”, earned her the prestigious Fleur Du Cap award for Best Actress.
Her debut solo album, “Thetha Mama,” released in November 2021, explores themes of childhood, nature, and storytelling, earning two nominations at the 2022 South African Music Awards.
Zolani Mahola
AMBASSADOR
Sasha-Lee Taylor
Sasha-Lee is a 26 year old Published Author, Business Owner, Model and Philanthropist.
A Bachelor of Social Sciences Graduate with a double Major in Marketing and Psychology now also pursing her qualifications in Education. Sasha has always been passionate about education and youth development from a very young age and has actively been involved in giving back within her community.
In 2018 Sasha started Learn to Read, Learn to Lead with the aim and vision to help create a literate nation in South Africa especially amongst areas that lack resources. Learn to Read, Learn to Lead consists of children’s educational books to teach children the basics of reading, writing and counting while also addressing social issues such as bullying, child trafficking and protecting the environment.
In 2018 the first book was recognized as book of the year in Parliament at the National Youth Summit and Sasha was awarded Young Leader in Philanthropy. These books give back to two beneficiaries being the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Tshwane Child Welfare Fund and Sasha is very excited about the recent partnership with Breadline Africa as well!
Breadline Africa is doing an incredible job to help develop children in poor communities and I am excited to be working with them and hoping to change the lives of many more children within South Africa.
The books from Learn to Read, Learn to Lead are featured as learning materials in schools in Delft, Western Cape, Witkoppen Primary and has been featured in Bulgaria with their department of education.
Sasha has since also been awarded the Woman of Wonder Award in August 2022, Top 50 Inspirational Woman of 2022 and Top 50 Global Inspiring Icons for 2023.
Sasha-Lee Taylor
AMBASSADOR
Jane Hardy
Jane Hardy, based in the UK, is an extreme cold water swimmer, and was the first English woman to swim an ice kilometre in Antarctica in February 2020.
Jane swam the Freedom Swim, a mass participation event that takes place from Robben Island to the Cape Town mainland in 2015 where she met Arafat Gatabazi, a Breadline Africa ambassador who reconnected her with Breadline Africa director, Marion Wagner after 25 years, as it turned out that they had attended university together!
Jane took the opportunity to learn more about Breadline Africa’s work, and was so impressed with the difference the organisation was making to children in under-resourced communities, that she took it upon herself to actively raise funds. Together with Arafat, she swam around the moat in the Castle of Good Hope to celebrate its 250th birthday, while raising awareness and funding for Breadline Africa and also arranged events in the UK – included sitting in an ice bath outside her local Sainsburys supermarket for Sport Relief, a fundraising arm of Comic Relief, a UK-based international funding entity. The store kindly gifted a range of basic necessities, which Jane brought on her next visit to South Africa to be distributed to one of Breadline Africa’s pre-school projects in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
Jane’s involvement in making the world a better place is not limited to Breadline Africa and she lends her time and efforts to several environmental causes, with a strong emphasis on protecting the oceans. She rescues marine mammals for British Divers Marine Life Rescue and is involved with Pawz for Thought, a domestic animal rescue organisation.
Jane Hardy
AMBASSADOR
Themba Robin
Themba Robin is an acclaimed voice-over artist, actor, MC, and content creator, celebrated for his captivating performances in TV adverts and his ingenious portrayal of David Attenborough with a uniquely South African flair.
Beyond his comedic talents, Themba is a dedicated champion for wildlife conservation and the welfare of South African children. Through his influential platforms, he passionately spreads awareness and actively contributes to making a positive impact in the lives of those most in need.
Themba Robin
AMBASSADOR
Khanyisa JamJam
Khanyisa JamJam is a standup comedian, writer, MC and social media influencer from Port Elizabeth, and now based in Cape Town. His daily Instagram videos offer a hilarious take on South African life, engaging a diverse, cross-cultural audience. His commentary on local and global sports has earned him the admiration of fans and sponsors alike.
He holds a Bachelor of Social Science from UCT in Politics and Economic History. JamJam is a proud South African who loves his country and believes in building a better South Africa together.
Khanyisa JamJam
AMBASSADOR
Amakou Telar
Amakou Telar is a professional model, actress, peace activist, and influential figure dedicated to serving humanity. She is a social and peaceful individual who strives to spread peace, love, kindness, and happiness wherever she goes. Filled with zeal, Amakou is passionate about living life to the fullest and making a positive impact on others.
Committed to sponsoring and supporting the less fortunate across Africa, Amakou is devoted to her mission. Her reliability, leadership, and teamwork make her a standout advocate for those in need. Through her work, she consistently demonstrates her dedication to creating a better world.
Amakou Telar
AMBASSADOR
Antoinette Rebelo
Antoinette was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and relocated to South Africa in 1994, fleeing from one of the most impoverished and war-torn countries in the world. Throughout her journey, she has been deeply involved with children in South Africa. She worked for Debate Mate UK while pursuing her degree in London and dedicated over 3 years to working for the Johannesburg-based charity Voice To Echo. Unfortunately, their work was affected by the pandemic, prompting their move to Cape Town. Antoinette’s passion lies in making a positive impact and assisting children in need.
Antoinette Rebelo
AMBASSADOR
James Bloom
James Bloom is a teenager from New York City and a dual USA / South African citizen. Together with his brother Colin (also a Breadline Africa Ambassador) he co-founded Libraries for Literacy to provide greater access to books and improve literacy in South Africa. To date they have established 5 libraries at schools in South Africa (3 in partnership with Breadline Africa).
James is also the founder of African Folktales for Kids. Frustrated by the scarcity of African language children’s books, he merged his interest in folktales with his passion for literacy to create a series of early-reader folktales in African languages. So far, he has authored five African folktales that are each available in Zulu, Xhosa, Xitsonga Sepedi and English (with Sotho and Tswana versions in the works).
In collaboration with Breadline Africa, James is partnering with OneSight South Africa to provide free eyesight testing and glasses to students at the schools where he has established libraries.
Since 2018, James has taught free after-school classes to underprivileged kids at the Washington Heights Y. Each summer he returns to the South African libraries he’s established to teach literacy and promote a culture of book borrowing. In 2023 James and his brother Colin presented at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University.
James Bloom
AMBASSADOR
Colin Bloom
Colin Bloom is a young New Yorker and a dual USA / South African citizen. In 2023 he attended the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg and was also named as a winner of the International Literacy Association’s global 30 Under 30 award. Together with his brother James (also a Breadline Africa Ambassador) he co-founded Libraries for Literacy.
In 2018 Colin and James were walking down a grocery store aisle in South Africa when they noticed that all the packaged food had pictures of what was inside. They were used to packages that just had the name of the food, such as “Campbell’s Tomato Soup”. When they asked their dad why all the food had pictures, he explained that many people in South Africa could not read. Believing that literacy is a fundamental human right, they founded Libraries for Literacy to provide greater access to books and improve literacy in South Africa. To date they have established 5 libraries at schools in South Africa (3 in partnership with Breadline Africa).
Colin is attending Harvard University.
Colin Bloom
AMBASSADOR
Arafat Gatabazi
Arafat Gatabazi is a an open-water swimmer and philanthropist. He uses his passion for swimming to raise funds for various charity organisations in South Africa. He is known for his endurance and determination, having completed several challenging swims, including the swim from Robben Island, swimming around Robben Island, and swimming around Cape Point. In 2014, he was honored with the Swimmer of the Year award by the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association.
In addition to his swimming achievements, Arafat is also an experienced project manager in the Edtech industry. He has been working in the field for eight years and has a wealth of experience in both software development and project management. Currently, he is a project manager for a leading Edtech company and in his role, he helps his team deliver impactful and innovative educational experiences that attract, engage, and retain students. He does this by working collaboratively with faculty and subject matter experts to create customised learning solutions for leading universities.
Arafat is a long-standing supporter of Breadline Africa and shares the organisation’s enthusiasm for supporting early childhood development initiatives in impoverished communities around the country – so much so that he has combined this with his passion for open-water swimming to raise much-needed funds for Breadline Africa’s projects.
Arafat Gatabazi
AMBASSADOR
