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Our Valuable Team Members

Working for Planact offers a unique and fulfilling opportunity to make an enduring contribution to urban development in South Africa. Planact currently has a staff component of twelve employees, with seven staff members directly engaged in programme work and two staff members employed in administrative capacities. The organisation is hosting three interns for the purpose of contributing to their career development. Planact community encompasses partners and former employees, most of whom hold important positions in reputable institutions.

Executive Director’s Office

The Executive Director’s office is responsible for the effective and efficient operations of the organisation, while adhering to all the statutory requirements and the set organisational goals. This unit is made up of the Executive Director and the Operations Manager. It co-opts the Finance Manager when dealing with everyday management issues.

Frederick Kusambiza – Kiingi

Frederick Kusambiza – Kiingi

Executive Director

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Frederick joined Planact in January 2013. He is responsible for the overall leadership, direction and critical decision making toward achieving the organisation’s vision, mission, strategy, and goals through the set organisational objectives.

He has a Masters Degree in Housing Development and Management obtained from the University of Cape Town, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration obtained from the Management College of Southern Africa.

He holds a PG Diploma in Land Management & Informal Settlements From Erasmus University, Rotterdam; and a Diploma in Building Management from the Institute of Commercial and Industrial Education. Frederick has over 22 years of work experience in urban planning and development.

He has undertaken assignments in various aspects of urban planning and development, piloting alternative building technologies, architectural designing and management, local governance development processes and organisational development, within the public and private sectors.

Previously he worked for: Afesis-corplan for fourteen and half years, where he held the Executive Director position for seven years; an architectural consulting firm for four years; and a property development firm for seven years.

Hloniphile Simelane (PhD)

Hloniphile Simelane (PhD)

Operations Manager

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Hloniphile joined Planact in April 2015. She is responsible for the overall operations related to programmes by analysing, developing, refining the implementation of the organisational programmes and coordinating research.

Hloniphile completed her PhD in Development Studies at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex (United Kingdom) in 2013. She obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University in the United States of America.

She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science from the University of Swaziland and a Diploma in Development and Management of Small Businesses and Industries from Israel. She served as a post-doctoral Researcher at the University of Witwatersrand for one and half years. Her research focuses mainly on urban development, land tenure and informal settlements in Southern Africa.

Previously, for a period of twelve years, she worked as a development practitioner in a non-governmental organisation, government institution and Municipal Council. She was involved in large development projects implemented in rural and urban settings of Swaziland.

 

Programme Staff Members

The programme unit comprises of coordinators at different levels and it is responsible for planning and coordinating the implementation of all programmes to meet all the set contractual obligations.

Mike Makwela

Mike Makwela

Senior Programme Coordinator

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Mike joined Planact in March 1999. He is responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes. He leads the team that is responsible for community relations. Mike is enrolled in part-time studies in Housing Masters at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is an accredited Trainer/Facilitator and Assessor. He has a diploma in Informal Settlement Upgrading obtained from the Institute for Housing Studies at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He also has a Certificate in Housing Policy Development and Management with Wits University. He has worked as a trainer in the local government field and been involved in the organisation’s major programmes including conduction training on governance. He has extensive experience liaising with government representatives and community leaders. Previously Mike worked for COPE Housing Association, an NGO involved in Social Housing as a project officer.
Shumani Luruli

Shumani Luruli

Programme Coordinator

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Shumani joined Planact in January 2003. She is responsible for intermediary planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes. Shumani has a certificate in Housing Policy Development and Management obtained from the University of Witwatersrand in 2008. She is an accredited training facilitator (EDTP SETA). She has also completed core courses in Project Management, Administration and Bookkeeping. She has considerable experience in training and social facilitation in local governance and organisational development, as well as sustainable livelihoods analysis and community based responses to HIV/AIDS. Previously, Shumani worked for Akanani Rural Development Association (NGO) in Limpopo province, as a training officer.
Siphiwe Segodi

Siphiwe Segodi

Programme Coordinator

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He is responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes.

Siphiwe has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Policy Studies and is currently pursuing BA Honours degree in International Politics with the University of South Africa. He has received training on ethical and accountable governance from Freedom House.

He has project management skills and 10 years of experience in community initiatives support work, including defending and promoting human rights. He is member of the Thembelihle Crisis committee – a community based organisation – since 2001. Previously, Siphiwe worked as Project Officer for the Freedom of Expression Institute with the primary focus on coordinating a national grassroots Freedom of Expression Network advancing various struggles and projects.

Chelesile Ndlovu-Nachamba

Chelesile Ndlovu-Nachamba

Resource & Communication Coordinator

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Chelesile joined Planact in April 2016. She is responsible for coordinating communication and resources, branding and stakeholder engagement as well as supporting programmes.

Chelesile holds a BSc Honours degree in Journalism and Media studies and has certificates in Development Communication from Wits University; Social Media Management as well as stakeholder engagement.

Her key function includes content management, branding, publications, stakeholder relations, online and social media management.

Previously, Chelesile has worked for a non-profit organisation focused on developing high level skills for biodiversity in South Africa, as a Communications Officer.

Wetu Memela

Wetu Memela

Assistant Programme

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Wetu joined Planact in October 2016 on an internship programme.

Wetu provides assistance in programme coordination and is involved in project components that the organisation implements.

Wetu has completed her Bachelor of Science, as well as, an Honours Degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Witwatersrand. She is currently completing her Masters in Development Planning from the same university. She is passionate about development issues and eager to gain the experience and knowledge in order to register as a professional planner.

Bafana Tshabalala

Bafana Tshabalala

Intern

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Administrative Staff Members

The administration unit provides support to the entire organisation and links Planact to the external stakeholders. It is made up of three staff members.

Spiro Paxinos

Spiro Paxinos

Financial Manager

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Spiro joined Planact in 2003.

Spiro is responsible for the overall financial management of the organisation. He is also responsible for organisational administration and policy matters. He provides essential support for developing and monitoring programme and specific project budgeting.

He holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Cape Town and a Diploma in Bookkeeping. He has 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management which includes commercial and micro-lending experience.

Tshidi Morotolo

Tshidi Morotolo

Office Administrator

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Tshidi joined Planact in 1995.

Tshidi is responsible for providing day to day administrative support, including financial monitoring, human resource administration, equipment resource allocation, information and communication systems, logistics and travel arrangements, record keeping and secretarial support for meetings. She holds a Diploma in Basic Bookkeeping and Pastel Accounting.