Gavin Weale

Founder & CEO of Digify Africa

Gavin is a journalist, publisher and award-winning social entrepreneur based in Johannesburg. He is the founder of Digify Africa, a social enterprise working across the African continent that helps young people benefit from the digital economy with skills, jobs and work opportunities.

Digify Africa's flagship programme, Digify Pro, has created hundreds of careers in the digital industry and is currently running in 5 cities across the African continent: Johannesburg, Durban, Lagos, Abuja and Nairobi - in partnership with Facebook Africa.

Gavin was also responsible for launching Live Magazine SA in 2011 - (livemag.co.za) - an online youth magazine created for young people, by young people in South Africa.

In 2010 Gavin won the UK Young Publishing Entrepreneur Award for his work on Live Magazine UK, which brought him to South Africa. In early 2011, he was awarded a Shuttleworth Foundation Fellowship, and moved to South Africa.

Qhakaza Mthembu

COO of Digify Africa

Qhakaza Mbali Mthembu is a multi-skilled strategist with a passion for youth development, technology in education and literature. She is currently the COO at Digify Africa overseeing numerous digital skills programmes that have trained over 90 000 African youths through partnerships with the likes of Facebook, Google and the British Council. This work has earned the company 2 Bookmark Awards for Best Contribution to Transformation in the Digital Industry.

She is the founder of the Word N Sound Live Literature Movement, the continent's biggest digital poetry brand which uses spoken word as a tool for youth development through monthly and weekly shows, festivals, workshops and masterclasses, international exchange programmes and digital content.

She is also a founding director of the African Youth Literature Institute; a creative and academic social
enterprise that is passionate about young people and literature on the African continent.

Karien Bezuidenhout

Director of Shuttleworth Foundation

Karien is an advocate for openness and supporter of social entrepreneurs. She has played various roles within the Shuttleworth Foundation, facing new challenges and learning every step of the way. She now focuses on the Fellowship Program - engaging with issues of openness and social change,
identifying potential investments and working closely with Fellows towards realising their vision.

She is a native of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and the smell of rain after a dry spell still makes her think of home. She believes elephants have noble hearts and is passionate about their protection and conservation. It is rare for a meme to pass her by, she always knows what's up in the collective mind of the Internet.

Karien studied business and economics at the business schools of the University of Stellenbosch and
University of Cape Town.

Malusi Cwele

Director of Outsourced Finance

Malusi graduated from the University of Cape Town and completed his articles at Deloitte. He is a former McKinsey & Company consultant where he specialised in marketing and sales across industries in Africa, Europe and the Americas. Malusi has strong operational experience as the former Chief Business Development Officer at FutureLearn, as well as being the founder of consulting and pharmaceutical businesses.

Malusi’s passion for small business comes from his passion for South Africa. His determination to have a direct impact on job creation was the fuel that allowed him to create a digital accounting firm that took a new approach to business.

His expertise within corporates benefits Outsourced Finance’s SMME clients – giving them knowledge and service that’s fit for big business, but which can easily be translated and tailored to their business.

Gavin Weale

Founder and CEO

Gavin is the founder and CEO of Digify Africa. He is also a closet DJ. The British native started Live Magazine in South Africa to give young people a voice and change the status quo. He said that he is a part of Digify Africa because he wants to be a part of making a positive change for this country and this continent. Gavin’s areas of expertise include: writing content, publishing and social entrepreneurship.

Qhakaza Mthembu

COO

Qhakaza Mbali Mthembu is our COO and the person who makes sure that every memory is captured (wanted or not). The self proclaimed dreamer said that being an essential part of the driving force that turned this company around when we were going through a tough time, is one of her biggest career highlights. Qhakaza’s areas of expertise include: strategy, ideation, digital content, leadership.

Nomacala Mpeta

Head of Learning

Noma is our resident Netflix recommendations expert and Head of Learning. The curious digital curriculum developer said that she got the opportunity to merge my experience with my passion for education and create and work on impactful programmes alongside the team. Noma’s areas of expertise include: strategy, training and digital curriculum development.

Tsholofelo Malatji

Finance Manager

Tsholo "Moneybags" Malatji is our Finance Manager and undercover minister of comebacks. The fierce go-getter says that she wakes up looking forward to making a difference and that's what we do at Digify Africa. Tsholo’s areas of expertise lay in the realm of each of the components of finance and financial management.

Luleka Mossie

Senior Project Manager

Luleka is our Senior Project Manager and resident songbird. The no nonsense bad-ass (her words) says that she works at Digify Africa because it is an embodiment of service. Service to young people and service to our country and one of its biggest issues - unemployment. Luleka’s areas of expertise include: project management, key account management and talent management

Xolani Sedibe

Business Development Executive

Xolani Sedibe is our Junior Business Development Manager and the biggest believer that muesli and yogurt makes for a healthy breakfast. The dynamic conversationalist says that he wants to help achieve the mission of preparing Africa's youth for the future of work. Xolani’s areas of expertise include: strategy and data and analytics.

Molebogeng Mangoale

Business Development Executive

Molebogeng is our Junior Business Development Manager and resident gym bunny. The proud Limpopo native says that she believes that if people have the right digital skills and are equipped with the right information about opportunities that exist in the digital industry, they can make lemonade out of lemons. Molebogeng’s areas of expertise include: business development, marketing and writing.

Palesa Miya

Junior HR Administrator

Palesa Miya is the Junior HR Administrator who’s always willing to listen. Hailing from the East Rand, our demure lady says that she loves working for Digify Africa because she is surrounded by smart people. Palesa’s areas of expertise include: human resources management and growth development.

Nomonde Kaleni

Office Manager

Nomonde is our Office Manager and resident fashion killa. The consummate professional says that Digify Africa has helped her pave her career path and always gives her a platform to grow. Nomonde’s areas of expertise include: event management and project support.

Vuyiswa Vilakazi

Learning Coordinator

Vuyiswa is our Learning Coordinator who knocked our socks off when she joined recently. The serial napper says that working at Digify Africa has given her a purpose. Vuyiswa’s areas of expertise include: customer relations and training and development.

Silindile Bhebe

Project Management Assistant

Silindile is our project assistant and the one who always keeps us in line. The kind and disciplined team player said that she works at Digify Africa because we make a difference in the lives of youth and entrepreneurs. Silindile’s areas of expertise include: planning and development, research and providing support.

Omphile Kgwathe

Project Manager: B2B

Omphile is the Project Manager for our Business to Business projects. She cares a lot about health and fitness and tries to get us to eat right (often against our will). The tenacious hard worker says that she loves what Digify Africa does, she loves the company culture and what the company represents in the current social economic context in SA. Omphile’s areas of expertise include: client services, marketing, project management and problem solving.

Menzi Mhlongo

Project Manager: Digify Pro

Menzi is the Project Manager for Digify Pro Durban and Digify Pro Online. He is our resident Manga expert. The loyal family man said that he enjoys working with and helping people. Menzi’s areas of expertise include: project management and collaboration.

Polly Sekwala

Project Manager: Ilizwe Lam

Polly is the Project Manager for Ilizwe Lam and the resident go-to for budget tips. The fun and hardworking serial cartoon watcher says that being part of a vehicle driving change for young people in Africa is her daily motivation. Polly’s areas of expertise include: project management.

Keneilwe Malotle

Project Manager: Boost with Facebook

Keneilwe is the Project Manager for Boost with Facebook and the first person to say “Good Morning” in the group (yes, everyday, with emojis). She describes herself as passionate and says that by working for Digify Africa, she is given the opportunity to make an actual impact in real people's lives. Keneilwe’s areas of expertise include: event management, project management and business development.

Tawanda Chambe

Graphic Designer

Tawanda is our Graphic Designer who’s always willing to lend a helping hand. A creative through and through, Tawanda is also a part time musician. Tawanda’s areas of expertise include: design and creative direction.

Terry-Ann Adams Mathabathe

Digital Content Manager

Terry is our Digital Content Manager who never stops talking about the power of garam masala. The office DJ says that digital literacy is vital in closing the gap between those who have access to opportunities from birth and those who are born a few steps behind. Terry’s areas of expertise include: content marketing, content writing and creative storytelling.

Florence Atunwa Olumodimu

Project Manager: Digify Nigeria

Mrs Florence Atunwa Olumodimu is our quick witted Project Manager in Nigeria who lives and breathes excellence. She says that she loves working at Digify Africa because it is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people in Africa through digital skills transfer and opening them up to career opportunities. Florence's areas of expertise include: Digital Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications, Project Management, Brand Management, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Celestine Lugaye Ukpere

Project Manager: Digify Kenya

Celestine is our Project Manager in Kenya who's always up to the task. She says she is passionate about teaching digital marketing resulting in community impact through digital skills programs like Digify Bytes and Digify PRO. Celestine's areas of expertise include: Digital Skills Development, Gender Entrepreneurship, Community Management and Project Management.