Our team is comprised of smart and dedicated people who believe in our long-term vision, that it is indeed possible for all South African kids to learn to read for meaning and calculate with confidence by age 10 by 2030. These are the people we trust to lead our programs, develop our materials, and advocate for their widespread uptake by government.
Lead: Limpopo Intervention
Maphale Julia Maphutha is the Head of Sotho languages at Funda Wande Organisation. She is passionate about education and loves to see children succeeding in reading and writing. Julia is a philanthropist who likes to make a difference by empowering the youth and adults in various communities across the country. She initiated the Library Practice Learnership in Limpopo Province in 2015. She was fully involved when the Programme was implemented from 2016 to 2017 and it was completed with a huge success (ETDP SETA UP SKILLS MAGAZINE Issue no: 1 2017)!
Julia holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Limpopo. Prior Funda Wande, she was as a Primary School Language teacher for 14 years and received Awards for being the Best reading teacher. From 2012-2018 Julia worked for Room to Read (an International Organisation) where she has gained an in-depth knowledge on early literacy and skills ranging from coaching, facilitation and material development.
Joining the Funda Wande team in 2019 has been the most exciting and fulfilling experience she has ever had. Her main responsibilities at Funda Wande are; to version the existing materials into Sepedi, Setswana and Sesotho, identify master teachers in each of these languages and supervise the filming and editing of the content.
Her motto is, “Intensive support should be geared towards adults so that many children will receive more help, and more appropriate help.”
Sepedi Literacy Specialist
Phuti is a Literacy Coach at Funda Wande, working in Limpopo Province, Capricorn District. She supports Foundation phase teachers in Grades 1-3 on teaching reading. She joined Funda Wande in July 2019 as a consultant and was recruited on a fulltime basis in October. As Funda Wande, we envision a world where all learners by the age of 10, will be able to read for meaning.
Prior to working at Funda Wande, Phuti worked for a literacy organization called Room to Read, from 2012 to 2018. She was involved in establishing libraries in the project schools, training and supporting teacher-librarians and foundation phase teachers in the library and the classroom.
She is both a teacher and librarian by profession. She holds a Secondary Teachers Diploma (S.T.D) and an Honours degree in Library and Information Science from University of the North, (now Limpopo). She is a qualified Assessor, Moderator and Facilitator, accredited with ETDP SETA.
Phuti is passionate about reading and is prepared to do everything in her power to ensure that in all our project schools, learners are able to read for meaning. She is a registered member of LIASA (Library and Information Association of South Africa). She is also the National Public Relations Officer for SLYSIG (School Libraries and Youth Services Interest Groups).
She has been part of the Funda Wande team that developed Sepedi lessons for grades 1 to 3. Moreover, she has participated in filming grades 1 to 3 lessons for YouTube.
She echoes the same sentiment with the late Tata Nelson Mandela when he said: “It always seems impossible until it is done”. Together, we can do it.
Maths Specialist
Dr Lorna Sako joined Funda Wande on 19 April 2021. She holds the position of Maths specialist: Limpopo intervention. Her focus is on supporting the implementation of Bala Wande in participating Sepedi LOLT schools by building Teacher and Teacher Assistant mentor capacity and understanding of instructional Foundation Phase Mathematics and participating in Bala Wande materials development.
Prior to joining Funda Wande Lorna worked as a temporary lecturer at the university of Limpopo and taught BEd Foundation Phase Literacy and Life Orientation. She is a teacher by profession and worked in special schools for 21 years. She is passionate about early intervention in the Foundation Phase in order to address barriers to learning and making learning fun and comfortable for learners. She holds a PhD degree in Adult Community and Continuing Education from the university of Limpopo.
HR & TA Project Facilitator
Manoko joined Funda Wande in October 2020 as the HR Officer of the Limpopo branch. She holds honours graduate in Human Resource Management with 6 years experience in HR, Sale Admin, Payroll and Invoicing with a very good understanding of human resources.
Manoko is an energetic and career driven young professional and passionate about what she does.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Lesley Makgakga joined Funda Wande Limpopo office as a Teacher's Assistants Mentor in March 2021. She has a BCOM Management Accounting degree and Post Graduate Certificate in Education specialising in Accounting and Economic and Management Science.
She has also completed a Course in teaching Foundation Phase Mathematics and a Programme in Language teaching in Foundation Phase. She has worked as an Accounting Clerk for a private company and served as a Bookkeeper and an Accountant for an NGO in Limpopo where she developed the love of working with people, especially the young ones. She has also served as a volunteer educator at a local primary school teaching Grade 3 learners. Furthermore, she is a local church board member and a secretary for Women Department.
Working at Funda Wande will improve her knowledge of working with children and is the right platform for her career development. She believes that education and hard work helps people to grow, develops and shapes a better and respectful society.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Mr Masenya joined Funda Wande in October 2020, he is currently a Teacher's assistants mentor at Funda Wande based in Polokwane.
He obtained his degree in Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology and postgraduate Diploma in Information studies with University of Limpopo. He is currently busy with his Masters in Information Studies with University of Limpopo. Prior to working at Funda Wande he worked for Limpopo Department of Education from 2018 until 2020. His focus was on the provision of reading materials to schools in Limpopo for foundation phase. Supporting and capacitating foundation phase with the facilitation of reading activities for learners also doing library coaching. Establishment and facilitation of reading clubs in schools and organising reading campaigns.
He is passionate about reading, empowering youth and community development. His major goal is to see South African youth investing most of their time in involving themselves in the activities that will enhance their growth and personal development.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Kgaugelo is a Teacher Assistant Mentor at Funda Wande. She is a yardstick of quality and always in an environment where excellence is expected. She believes that fulfilment of dreams requires inspiration, determination and hard work.
She obtained her degree in Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology) with university of Limpopo and two postgraduate qualifications, one from university of Limpopo (Criminology and Criminal justice) and one from university of Kwazulu natal (Forensic investigations).
Kgaugelo is a qualified teacher who specialises in teaching Languages at the senior phase and Life orientation in the FET phase (UNISA). She also holds TEFL certificate from Teach TEFL Academy and currently studying towards her Masters degree in Social sciences.
Prior to working at Funda Wande, Kgaugelo worked at the Local Government (COGHSTA), two financial Industries and the Department of Education. She is also part of Polokwane Municipality Life Skill Camps as a facilitator and also provides children and youth with motivational talks and skills to help them to stand on their own.
"Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary" - Jim Rohn.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Mahlatse Kubjane is a TA mentor who graduated from University of Limpopo with BA honours in Applied Languages and a Bachelor's Degree in Multilingual studies.
Before joining Fundawande she volunteered as a student mentor at University of Limpopo under Centre of Academic Excellence, worked with various organisations such as University of Limpopo Information and Communication Technology as Computer lab supervisor and at Department of Education as EPWP teacher assistant.
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart"
- Nelson Mandela.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Luzet Megale joined Funda Wande in November 2020 as a Teacher Assistant Mentor at Limpopo office.
Prior to joining Funda Wande Luzet was a coach at Smart Start , she is passionate about helping people and making a difference in the community. She loves working with different age groups and respects each one of them. She believes that people have the ability to do anything they set their minds to. Luzet holds a BA degree in Social Work from the University of South Africa.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Reneilwe Matjutla joined FUNDA WANDE in March 2021 as a Teacher Assistant Mentor at Limpopo office. She holds a diploma in education for secondary phase and an advanced certificate in educational management. She is currently studying BCOMPT in financial Accounting at UNISA.
Prior to joining Funda Wande, Reneilwe worked 16 years at the department of education as a teacher and Head of department for commercial subjects. She also worked part time from 2009-2016 at IEC (Dr JS Moroka municipality) as counting officer and then got promoted to presiding officer, ensuring free and fair elections.
As someone who loves education, possesses excellent organisational skills and can connect easily with students, working at Funda Wande is the perfect opportunity for her to continue her professional development. She believes that her experience and passion for teaching would be the ideal fit for the philosophy and resources offered by Funda wande.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Mmanoko Roshell Mashitisho holds the following qualifications: A National Higher Certificate in Accountancy, a National Diploma in Internal Audit from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) majoring in Economics and Management science and Accounting from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Currently, she is registered for a course in teaching Foundation Phase Mathematics and a Programme in Language teaching in Foundation Phase with UNISA. She was a Funda Wande teacher assistant in 2021. She likes working within a team as they can share ideas and learn from each other. She is a person who believes in equality and fairness. She has realized that we learn every day. She is looking forward to grow more in the Education Department, particularly the foundation phase.
Teacher Assistant Mentor
Mmatlou Nkoana joined Funda Wande in 2021 as a teacher assistant. Due to her diligence and hard work, she was then appointed as a teacher assistant mentor in January 2022. She is currently studying towards her final year in B.Ed. (ECD & Foundation phase) at the University of South Africa.
She has a passion for teaching and one of her goals is to see learners being able to read with meaning and calculate with confidence by the age of 10.
Office Coordinator
Reabetswe Motau provides administrative support to the Funda Wande team. She is an ambitious, strongly focused and motivated individual with exceptional leadership and interpersonal abilities. She holds an honours degree in Psychology and has also completed her PGCE in 2019, specialising in Life Orientation both senior phase and FET.
In both her previously held positions (office administrator and mentor) her successes have stemmed from essential skills and qualities - including planning, problem solving, critical thinking, flexibility, encouragement, compassion, and the provision of corrective feedback.
Her background in working with a diverse group of learners within a school setting has taught her a great deal about learner development and learning strategies that can be applied to enable learners to grasp the material taught and reach their potential.
She is driven by identifying innovative approaches and improved solutions to challenges. Observation, inspiration and determination are her foundation for success.
Office Assistant
Salome Kgaabi works as an Office Assistant at Funda Wande (Limpopo). She prides herself in being meticulous at providing support to the Funda Wande team with their day to day tasks. She has more than 11 years of experience working in the protection and sanitation sectors.
What Salome enjoys the most is working with people and in an environment that fosters personal and professional development.
Logistics Coordinator
Makgomo is the logistics coordinator for the Limpopo branch at Funda Wande and holds a B.com honours degree in Logistics from the University of Johannesburg. She is responsible for the logistics and procurement support for the Limpopo branch as well as efficient coordination of the teachers & teacher's assistant training.
Makgomo comes with experience in supply chain management and finance in the public sector as well as data collection. She loves working with and meeting new people and hopes to help support and uphold Funda Wande's vision and values as a part of Funda Wande's team.
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