One of KHULA's core organising principles is that we are community-led in all that we do. This is reflected in our team of over 40 staff, who live and work amongst the communities we serve, with the majority hailing from the local area or the wider province of KwaZulu-Natal. We are proud to have several former beneficiaries on our team and strive to prioritise local youth for new opportunities.
The majority of our staff are trained educators, embedded into the culture and management of the government-run schools we support, thus allowing us a level of trust, access and insight into the specific needs and requirements of staff and students that few others have.
Meet our Leadership Team
Debbie Heustice
Director and CEO
Debbie has 20 years’ experience in leadership, strategic management, human resource development and fundraising in the higher education and health service community in South Africa. She joined KHULA Education in October 2018. Debbie believes that more needs to be done to strengthen, enrich and diversify educational opportunities for children in South Africa if it is to achieve a truly transformed society. Working with the KHULA teams in South Africa and the United Kingdom she aims to shape and grow KHULA’s educational programmes. She is responsible for brokering new partnerships and developing strategies to help KHULA reach its full potential and remain relevant in the complex and ever-changing educational environment in South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science Degree and an Industrial Relations Diploma from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Nothile Ndwandwe
Head of Operations and Early Childhood Development programme
Nothile grew up in KwaZulu-Natal and holds an Economics degree and a Certificate in Project Management. She believes that education is a huge part of the solution to many socio-economic problems faced by our country today. She is eager and excited to do all she possibly can to ensure that KHULA Education achieves its objective of quality education for the children of this isolated area of the province.
Nosipho Sithole
Life Skills & Job Readiness Manager
Nosipho is an experienced youth development specialist and programme manager with both not-for-profit and corporate experience. Prior to joining KHULA Education at the end of 2022, Nosi was Provincial Lead at the EdTech company Siyavula Education, where she managed a project in partnership with the Department of Education to deploy e-learning services across more than 100 schools in Gauteng. She has also held roles as Operations Manager at the pan-African recruitment firm Homecoming Revolution and Team Lead at the Students for a Better Future scholarship programme. Nosi holds an Honours degree from UNISA and a project management certificate from Wits. Throughout her career in education and youth development, Nosi has strived to support young people to take agency and positively shape their futures.
Slindo Mncube
Head of Finance and HR
Slindokuhle attended one of KHULA Education’s partner schools, Amoibe Primary. She has a Management Assistant Diploma and a Certificate in Human Resource Management Practice and Support. She anchors KHULA Education’s Human Resource administration and finances. Slindo is well known to all the schools with which we partner. She is committed to working towards empowering the children through education and changing the lives of the Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana Community for the better.
Denver Ndlovu
Head of English Department
Denver is an educational professional with 16 years’ experience in the field. He holds a Diploma in Secondary Education from the University of Zimbabwe and a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences Degree from UNISA. He is currently studying through UNISA towards his Honours in Accounting. He believes in levelling the playing field for learners by affording them access to educational opportunities from which their rural background usually excludes them. He is committed, dedicated and fully supportive of KHULA Education’s vision.
Christopher Magunda
Head of Maths Department
Christopher is a qualified Mathematics Teacher with 26 years of experience, most of which has focused on education of rural school children. He holds a Diploma in Education from the University of Zimbabwe and a Bachelor of Education (Senior and FET Phase) from UNISA. Chris is a passionate, patient and hardworking individual who believes every learner has the ability to enjoy and pass Mathematics. He is committed to empowering the children of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana with Mathematical skills that are relevant for life and future academic pursuits so that these learners can become successful future breadwinners for their families.
