Who We Are

• Guiding Principles
• Background
• Our People
• Partners and Sponsors
• Women and Construction

Our People

Khuthaza’s success can be attributed largely to our small but dedicated team whose contributions have shaped the organisation’s growth and development.

Our people play a much larger role than even they realise, leaving an indelible mark on the industry with every interaction. They bring to each encounter vital enthusiasm, perseverance, conviction and courage.

Through their unique personal strengths they model and spread the spirit that is Khuthaza.

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The Team

Elizabeth O’Leary – Executive Director

Elizabeth is the Executive Director of Khuthaza and has been involved with the organisation since 2001. As Executive Director she reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for providing strategic and organisational direction. She is also involved in all aspects of programme management, fundraising, and marketing.

Elizabeth has several years of experience in the housing and construction sectors and is familiar with both local and international contexts. Prior to her involvement with Khuthaza she worked with Nurcha, a construction finance company, Grasmere Community Development Trust and UNICEF.

She holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and African Studies from Boston University in the United States. Elizabeth’s passion for housing and construction was influenced by growing up in a family with businesses in these sectors. Her experience includes everything from working in the family’s hardware store to cleaning construction sites and painting flats.  In 2008 she was honoured by the Council for the Built Environment with the Renowned Woman Leadership and Empowerment Award.

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Cindy Shai - Programme Coordinator

Cindy has been a key figure in the organisation for many years. Through the generous support of the Home Loan Guarantee Company, where Cindy was employed for 9 years, she worked closely with Elizabeth in the development of the organisation.

She has taken a number of courses over the years, including advanced bookkeeping, train the trainer, and a communication programme with the SA Institute of Race Relations. Cindy has gained a great deal of experience in the housing and construction sectors particularly in consumer education, home loan guarantees and small business development. Cindy had never imagined that her career would lead her to the construction sector but over the years she has developed a great passion for working with women contractors.

Cindy has been the face of our Saturday contractor workshops since 2002. She plays a key role in providing ongoing motivation and support to women in the industry, always encouraging them to further develop their knowledge, skills and experience. In June 2008 she joined Khuthaza full-time.

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Lerato Moalusi – Programme Coordinator

Lerato grew up in Soweto and studied for a Diploma in Marketing. After working with two financial institutions she began to pursue a career in the property sector. She found the field of Property Management to be vibrant and interesting. Working with Broll and City Properties she gained extensive experience in property, brokerage and facilities management.

Looking to expand her horizons and for an opportunity to link her two passions of women’s development and property, Lerato saw Khuthaza as a good platform through which to take the next step in her career. She joined the organisation in November 2008. Lerato is committed to encouraging skills development and linking women to opportunities in the industry.

Lerato sees her work with Khuthaza as a great opportunity to contribute to the development of the country and is enjoying the interaction with our various stakeholders.

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Thabelo Ramantswana

Thabelo holds a BSc degree in Town Regional Planning and a Masters degree in Town and Regional Planning in the field of Housing from Wits University. After completing her studies, she joined the National Department of Housing, now Department of Human Settlements, as a Town and Regional Planner from 2004 until 2005.

In 2005, Thabelo moved to USA where she completed 3 certificates in Counseling. While in the USA, she worked as a caregiver for kids in a local church, she worked as an Assistant Programme Coordinator for Cradle of Hope, a transitional housing programme, and she also worked as a Residential Advisor-On Call for Salisbury Behavioral Health. Thabelo returned from the USA in April 2010 and she joined Khuthaza in July 2010.  Thabelo’s acquaintance with Khuthaza’s programmes goes back to 2004 while she was still working for the National Department of Housing.

Thabelo is glad to be part of an organization that empowers women to enter into the housing and construction related professions.

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Chris Green

Chris is a Chartered Accountant, has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Wits University and has many years experience in accounting and finance in a number of industries. Most recently he was General Manager: Finance at Nurcha, a construction finance company and has also worked for LTA in the construction industry. His experience includes the computer industry and starting up a company in oil distribution. The latter involved everything from loading oil drums with a forklift truck, selling to customers and bookkeeping.

Chris has been involved with Khuthaza for many years, assisting with the establishment of financial management systems and providing guidance on many levels. He currently provides accounting and finance advice to the Khuthaza group companies and is often called upon to share his experience with participants in Khuthaza’s programmes.

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Arnold Matimba

Arnold has lived and worked in England and Scotland for the last 20 years. He worked with ConstructionSkills, the Construction Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council. He was Contract Manager for Train to Gain in East of England and Midlands. Train to Gain is the UK national skills service which aims to meet the needs of employers of all sizes and also improve the skills of their employees by encouraging all businesses and individuals to value and realise the benefits that learning and skills bring.

Prior to joining ConstructionSkills he worked with the following companies: Cable& Wireless Communications later ntl; TR Fastenings’ Aerospace & Defence Division and he also ran a courier business and an events management business in Scotland.

Although he studied for a BSc Electrical/Electronic Engineering and a diploma in Interior Designing, his passion lies in levelling the economic and education playing fields for people, particularly here in Africa. His involvement with Khuthaza began this year and he welcomes the opportunity this has given him to share the experience and skills that he gained in the UK.