Meet the team
Since 2009 we have grown from four individuals initiating the organisation as volunteers to a small team of committed employees who manage and run the programmes. The Board continues to be involved with major financial and strategic decisions. Together, the team brings skills in teaching, counselling, psychology, anthropology, occupational therapy, project management, public relations, journalism, communications and community development. Above all,we have a contagious passion for changing the lives of disadvantaged children in South Africa.
Martha Evans
Trustee and co-founder
I am passionate about history, eradicating poverty and the environment. I love storytelling – in all formats – magic, wonder, dance and art. I believe that happy childhoods make happy and responsible adults and it is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that children have access to equal opportunities.
I have worked as an editor for educational and trade publishers, a communication campaign designer for an educational NGO and a media studies lecturer at the University of Cape Town.
Nicky Seymour
Director and Co-founder
I am an Occupational therapist with a Masters in rehabilitation. I have a keen interest in creating opportunities for the disadvantaged and disempowered parts of our society to develop their self-belief and grow their potential. In particular I believe in equity and inclusion and facilitating the potential of all children and young people to be happy and thrive.
I have worked in international development sector for 16 years and bring an in-depth understanding of inclusive community development as well as the health, social welfare and the not-for -profit sectors.
Melissa Wallace
Trustee and co-founder
I am a Health Psychologist with a special research interest in adolescents, particularly those managing chronic conditions, as well as in working towards steering adolescents away from harmful behaviours and building resilience.
As a psychologist I am also familiar with the vital role of play in learning, and I love that the Sisanda Fundaytion aims to address this fundamental but often overlooked part of healthy development. I have over 12 years’ experience working in the NGO sector in the field of research.
I believe that positive, inspiring experiences contribute towards nurturing resilience, and that with resilience, our children can reach their potential and thrive
Corinna Cuff
Finance Manager
I first met SF in August 2016 when I volunteered to deliver a dance workshop as part of the Women’s Day celebrations, with over 35 young women and volunteers participating.
As a trained dancer and qualified community dance teacher, it was really exciting to be working with such an enthusiastic group to share our passion and knowledge. After this first meeting with SF I kept in touch to volunteer and was extremely excited to be welcomed to join the team in March 2017 as Programmes Manager for FunDays and Connect.
I absolutely adore working with children and young people – they have so much energy, yet so many challenges to navigate. They are our future and I feel they need nurturing in all aspects of life to give them the best chances and opportunities for personal growth & success. I spent over 10 years teaching and met so many diverse young people who just needed someone to listen to them and allow them to have a voice.
Nkulee Gwelo
Programme Facilitator
Nkulee connected with us in 2014 as a beneficiary in our programme and quickly became a key young volunteer helping to lead activities. She says this was when she discovered her love for kids. She is a music facilitator and youth mentor believing “it’s better to build boys and girls than to repair man and woman”. She is from Gugulethu and speaks Isixhosa and English. She loves encouraging children and young people to help them believe they can have and reach their life’s goals. She joined Sisanda FunDaytion again in 2020 as a Project Facilitator.
Melanie Lippert
Programme Coordinator
I first met SF in August 2016 when I volunteered to deliver a dance workshop as part of the Women’s Day celebrations, with over 35 young women and volunteers participating.
As a trained dancer and qualified community dance teacher, it was really exciting to be working with such an enthusiastic group to share our passion and knowledge. After this first meeting with SF I kept in touch to volunteer and was extremely excited to be welcomed to join the team in March 2017 as Programmes Manager for FunDays and Connect.
I absolutely adore working with children and young people – they have so much energy, yet so many challenges to navigate. They are our future and I feel they need nurturing in all aspects of life to give them the best chances and opportunities for personal growth & success. I spent over 10 years teaching and met so many diverse young people who just needed someone to listen to them and allow them to have a voice.
Bonga Myekeni
Play@home Coordinator -Gugulethu
Bonga has been with us since 2013. He started as a beneficiary, then became facilitator helping with our programmes and is now leading our Play@home program in Gugulethu. He is passionate about making children smile. With his love of sports and music he brings his team player attitude and all his effort to make a difference in the lives of children in South Africa.