CEO
Jason has worked with young people for over 20 years and has a real passion to see Africa succeeding in all spheres of life. A family man at heart he loves his wife and four kids dearly. “We are all created with unique gifts and talents, but so many of our young people just never have the chance to explore the full potential of these God-given gifts and talents. I want this to change. I want people in South Africa, and Africa, thriving and doing what they love to do. What they were created to do.”
Communications Director
Jessica grew up in the United States and came to Cape Town on a 12-month study abroad. 18 years later she is still in Cape Town, but now with a husband and four beautiful children. She fell in love with South Africa and it’s now without a doubt her home. “I will live my life in service to this country that has adopted and embraced me. It is my hope that the young people of this continent captured my heart all those years ago when I first arrived on the shores of Cape Town, and 18 year later they are still at the forefront of my heart and passion”
Project Manager
Straight out of school, Takalani took a gap year as a youth ministry intern. This is where his passion for young people was nurtured and matured. He eventually worked in youth ministry full time and would later lead it until April 2020. Also, in 2020 he got married and is now a self-appointed advocate for marriage to anyone who will listen.
He has always had a passion to see young peoples' lives transformed for the better and is particularly excited to see young men mentored and developed to their full potential. Though we have known Takalani for a long time, he only recently joined YIT. What a gift he is to this team and our young people!
Project Manager
From studies in Politics, to community Theatre in Kayamandi, then an administrative job at a communications company, Ethan is the embodiment of an "All-rounder". He brings a diversity of experience to his work as well as a passion for excellence in all he does. He has always had a desire to see the tangible difference he was making with the work he did. This led him to Tanzania where he interned for an NGO followed by 4 years working for a local church.In August 2020, he joined YIT in order to see young people impacted with tangible opportunities for upliftment and change. Ethan loves to see the bigger picture and set intentional plans in place to reach them.We are so excited to have him on the team!
Chair
Nomalungelo Nyathi qualified as a Medical Doctor in 2003. She has worked extensively as a medical practitioner in both the public and private sectors. Dr Nyathi is currently employed at Medscheme as the Managing Exectuive: Clinical Risk and Advisory.
“Inclusion is not a project, it's a way of life. Our young people need more than just one off events, they need a complete transformation of the system.”
Finance
Khuthadzo holds a Bachelor of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and an Mphil Financial Mathematics from the University of Cape Town. He is also a CFA charter holder. After finishing his undergraduate studies, Khuthadzo joined Absa Capital as a graduate in their market risk division. In 2013 he joined Denker Capital, a subsidiary of Sanlam Investments, as an equity analyst where he was responsible for assessing investment opportunities on the JSE. “South Africa, and Africa, has every possibility of becoming a global economic powerhouse. But it has to start at the ground level. If we invest in our children, we will see an exponential return on that investment.”
Legal
Caroline B. Ncube is a Professor at the University of Cape Town working in the Law department. She holds a PhD from the University of Cape Town, an LLB degree from the University of Zimbabwe and an LLM from the University of Cambridge. "I believe in giving back to my community and feel that investing in young people is one of the best ways to do this".
Portfolio Oversight
Having pastored a local Church for seven years Mandla describes himself as a father, a minister, an engineer and a creative. He and his family recently relocated to Johannesburg; after twenty years in Cape Town; where he is continuing pioneering work amongst creatives. “Our young people are the future of nation, and we need to do everything in our power to give them the opportunities to succeed in life”
Portfolio Oversight
Mthokozisi Shezi grew up in the Pietermaritzburg township of Imbali. After receiving a scholarship to attend Glenwood high he quickly showed an incredible talent for Cricket. After school he represented the Dolphins and Cape Cobras at Franchise level, and then was also selected for the SA “A” side. His crowning achievement was being selected for the Proteas. “My passion for teenagers started in Glenwood where I was a youth pastor. I could relate to the struggles that they were going through and it fueled the fire for me to make a difference in their lives.”
Portfolio Oversight
Mthi is a free spirited guy who loves laughing, teaching, coffee and a good conversation about, sport (rugby and cricket), religion (resurrected Jesus) and science news. He was sent from a village outside King's Williams Town to Cape Town to get a degree, instead he got a wife and two kids and did not come back. Mthi is currently an electrical engineering lecturer at CPUT.
“Growing up in the rural communities of the Eastern Cape I know how hard it is to make it, and so I’m passionate about building a legacy in our country where we can remove the barriers and give our young people the chance to succeed”
