The Communiversity of South Africa Team

The following people support our daily programme, our growth and success with amazing dedication. By generously and lovingly contributing their expertise, energy, vision and commitment, they help fulfill the hopes, dreams and goals of our students, their families and their communities while fulfilling their own dreams and goals.

Current Team

Partners

Current Managing Team and Faculty

Marcia Abrahams

Dr. Melanie Brown

Brigid Comrie

Simon Conradie

Fatiema Cornelius

Priscilla David

Wade January

Bradley Koen

Daniel Meyer

Debra Poneman

Chakane Ramafiking

Debby Silver

Bhongolwethu Sonti

Jodine Swart

Wilco Van Eeden

Barry Welsh

Liz Welsh

Lisa Wimmers

David Yutar

The Communiversity Team

Listed alphabetically
  • Marcia Abrahams Co-Founder, Director, Development and Training
  • Dr. Melanie Brown Co-Founder, Executive Director, Board of Directors
  • Brigid Comrie TM Facilitator
  • Simon Conradie TM Facilitator
  • Fatiema Cornelius Senior Administrator & Researcher
  • Priscilla David Managing Director, Board of Directors
  • Wade January Computer Facilitator
  • Bradley Koen Placement Officer Senior Administrator & Researcher
  • Daniel Meyer Engineering Science Facilitator
  • Debra Poneman "Yes to Success" Facilitator
  • Chakane Ramafikeng Administrator & Finance Facilitator
  • Debby Silver Board of Directors
  • Bhongolwethu Sonti Board of Directors
  • Jodine Swart Chief Placement Officer
  • Wilco Van Eeden Head Student Development; Maths, Career Guidance & Finance Facilitator
  • Barry Welsh TM Facilitator
  • Liz Welsh TM Facilitator
  • Lisa Wimmers Finance Director
  • David Yutar English Lit and Debating Facilitator

Khayelitsha Campus

  • Helen Lieberman Founder and Board Member
  • Barbara Stemmert Head of Programs
  • Mejury Mushanguri Programme Manager: Youth
  • Ndileka Jovile Head Monitor
  • Tamia Paulse Monitor

Lansdowne (Hanover Park) Campus

  • Rev Colin Goeiman Reverend
  • Juanita Frans Head Monitor
  • Sandra Johnstone Monitor
  • Rochelle Jacobs Monitor
  • Jenny Keyster Monitor

Beacon Valley Campus (Mitchells Plain)

  • Rev Colin Goeiman Reverend
  • Juanita Frans Head Monitor
  • Sandra Johnstone Monitor
  • Rochelle Jacobs Monitor
  • Jenny Keyster Monitor

Masiphumelele Campus

  • Vince van der Bijl
  • Marvin Williams
  • Pictured: Two former MasiSports interns Ntunzi Njini and Yomela Hoho

The Board of the Communiversity Foundation in the US:

  • Dr. Veronica Butler
  • Dr. Rashi Glazer
  • Leonard Goldman
  • Dr. Steve Guich
  • Debra Poneman
  • Fred Sapirstein
  • Dr. Melanie Brown

Our Teaching Partners

  • The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Centre of Cape Town (cognitive and self-development)
  • Junior Achievement South Africa (JASA) and worldwide (entrepreneurship)
  • Worth Wealthy Me Finance Program (sponsored by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch)
  • Debra Poneman’s “Yes to Success” (goal-setting and self-development)
  • Cape Leopard Trust and the Two Worlds Aquarium (environmental science)

Recent Professional Contributors

  • Liticha Van Neel Maths
  • Bridget Conrad Database
  • Zach Nichols Graphic Design And Website
  • Michael Cacioppo Tech Assistance
  • Etienne Mentor Tech Assistance
  • Mark Dawson BDV Platinum Auditors
  • Diana Keam Filmmaker, Silverbullet Films
  • Peter Ross Activpro, B-Bbee Consultant
  • Ricardo Wyngaard Non-Profit Lawyer

Financial Management

  • The Communiversity employs a finance management company, Simple Solutions, headed by Lisa Wimmers, the Communiversity Finance Director, who keep the books, monthly reports, prepare the payroll and conduct all other payments and banking transactions, with each grant fund separately accounted for and maintained.
  • In addition, all finances are overseen by an auditing company, BDV Platinum, whose chartered accountants have expertise in the non-profit world and who prepare the annual financial audit and other financial information when needed.
  • The Communiversity also works with a chartered accountant, Peter Ross, who oversees its BBBEE accreditation.
  • The Communiversity is 100% committed to operating with highest integrity and transparency and has had NO financial or governance issues arise since its inception in 2012.