MICHELLE POTTER

Michelle is Executive Director and founder of SAYes.

After working in the music industry for 12 years, Michelle then re-trained and qualified with the UK Football Association as a coach. She went on to coach football in London and New York for three years before returning to Roehampton University in 2004, to become a full-time student.

At University, she studied Education with additional subjects in Human Rights and Philosophy. In 2007, she graduated from Roehampton University with a BA (Hons) in Education.

In 2008, Michelle received the Froebel Guild Award for her dissertation on children in care in South Africa and the UK.  It was the same year that she moved to Cape Town, where she has lived and worked ever since, leading SAYes.

GILLIAN ANDERSON

Gillian is a founder of SAYes.

She is an actor and writer and has starred in numerous films. She’s probably best known for her role as Dr Dana Scully in The X-Files.

Gillian supports numerous charities, including Artists for a New South Africa; Treatment Action Campaign; Buskaid; Neurofibromatosis; and War Child.

ANDREW DELLIS

Andrew is Operations Director with SAYes.

He graduated with a PhD in Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2011. Andrew has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations in Africa. He worked at the Child, Youth, Family and Social Development unit at the Human Sciences Research Council throughout his graduate studies.

Before joining SAYes in 2015, Andrew did postdoctoral work with an interdisciplinary team at the University of Cape Town. His work focused on adolescent risk-taking, cognitive control and addiction, especially under conditions of social and economic inequality.

WARDA SHABODIEN

Warda is Office Manager with SAYes.

Resident Capetonian, Warda started with SAYes in 2018. She has nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, as well as a retail background working in some of Cape Town’s finest boutiques.

Before joining SAYes, Warda worked as Executive PA for the Nimble Group, juggling scheduling, administration and project management. Warda brings her naturally warm, welcoming presence and exceptional complement of skills and experience to the SAYes team.

LOIS NIENABER

Lois is a Transition Specialist with SAYes.

Holding a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Education and Psychology and with nearly a decade of experience in working with non-profit organisations, Lois passionately champions accessible education for a brighter and more equitable future.

She has formed programmes for universities and organisations on a global level to ensure seamless transition to university life and successful career paths. Beyond her professional role, Lois volunteers to empower single mothers in business skills. She extends her impact through international consultancy in project management; youth leadership; and wellbeing initiatives.

Originally from the UK, she now resides in South Africa, driven by an enthusiasm for making a difference and social impact worldwide.

BRIDGET KNIGHT

Bridget is a Transition Specialist/SA Partner Programmes with SAYes.

She is an Accredited Coach, Trainer and Facilitator. She works with individuals and groups to help them overcome limiting beliefs, gain self-awareness and achieve their goals. She is passionate about mental health and is currently working towards a Diploma in Counselling and Communications through SACAP.

Having volunteered previously as a SAYes mentor, Bridget joined SAYes as Transition Specialist in 2020.  She loves working with people from all walks of life, her passions being mediation, relationship management and problem solving.

CLAIRE HARMAN

Claire is a Transition Specialist with SAYes.

She has been studying in the field of psychology for the past 20 years. She has a history of public sector, private sector and voluntary sector work in the areas of substance use disorders and offending behaviour.

Claire is also employed within the University of Lincoln as a Graduate Teaching Fellow and is working towards her PhD in Psychology.

When not working, her interests include running, ultra walking, travelling and the cinema.

ABI SHAPIRO

Abi started her career in the creative sector, overseeing the Selfridges window displays before moving on to manage and grow an independent design agency. She then moved into more operational roles and has spent ten years working in senior positions in the private sector, before more recently transitioning to charities, including roles at Young Women’s Trust and the Jewish Museum London.

Abi is passionate about social change and is really excited to be part of the SAYes Board.

MARLON BRUCE

Marlon Bruce FRSA, has over 17 years’ experience in local government, the private sector and the Voluntary Community Sector. Advancing through multiple strategic senior leadership roles, he had oversight of complex projects in socio-economics/social value, strategic regeneration, housing, corporate strategy, youth services, community safety, employability, consultation, community stakeholder engagement and diversity equity and inclusion.

Marlon has successfully developed and streamlined systems, identified opportunities and led collaborations, resulting in improved life outcomes, accessibility and resilience for deprived communities.

Through his innovation he revolutionised how Arm’s Length Management Organisations engage with young people across the UK and designed the Community Gold Model: a bespoke model used by local authorities across London that reduces youth violence.

Marlon has been awarded eight national best practice awards for excellence in youth, community engagement, consultation, gang exit and workforce inclusion.

Marlon was born and raised in Tottenham; he loves being a father to his daughter; he enjoys playing football and mentoring young people, helping them to unleash their potential.

Marlon holds a BA in Sport, Media and Culture, and an MSc in Youth Participation and is the Treasurer on our UK board of trustees.

CHRIS SHARPE

Chris was SAYes’ first UK mentor. Having been a friend and supporter of SAYes for some years we are delighted at his appointment as Chair of the SAYes UK board.

Chris’s professional background in reinsurance both in the UK and abroad means he brings a technical, a start-up, and a people focused mind-set, making him an invaluable asset to SAYes going forward.

MARK JANSE VAN RENSBURG

Mark Janse van Rensburg is husband to Shannon and father to Luke and Isabella. Mark loves sport (both participating and spectating) with a special affinity for rugby. This dates back to his early years of teaching where he coached high school sport, taught Mathematics, Business Economics and Physical Education. Mark finds the coaching and mentoring of young adults extremely rewarding and often he claims to have learned more from his students than they did from him.

Mark’s love for education was maintained long after he left the teaching fraternity and eventually resulted in him co-founding a skills development company with three partners. Today he is Managing Director of Kwelanga Training, which has a national footprint, and offers both short courses, accredited programmes and learnerships to employees. He is also co-founder of Trainers on Tap and he sits on the board of SmartStep, an E-Learning joint venture.

Mark is grateful for the opportunity to join the SAYes board where he hopes to make a positive contribution to the good work SAYes is doing in the community.

LYSETTE TSHIKUNA

Lysette Tshikuna is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but she grew up in the care system in South Africa. Lysette first joined SAYes as a mentee in 2014 and she has benefitted from the guidance and support of many SAYes mentors since then. She completed her undergraduate studies at Stellenbosch University followed by a BCom Honours degree in Finance at the University of Cape Town.

Lysette hopes that her involvement with the SAYes alumni group and her experience of the care system in South Africa will be of great value to the SAYes board.

ANDREW PLANTING

Andrew Planting is co-founder of Market Makers, a specialist Angel Investment company. Andrew worked internationally in the investment banking sector and headed up the European team for a US management consulting company. Andrew’s focus is in the USA market through two of their current investments namely, ComboCap Health and Stoak Technologies.

Andrew was a founding member of the SAYes UK board until 2020, and is the founding Chair of the SAYes South African board.

IRMA WILSON

Irma is Finance Manager with SAYes.

She registered as an AGA (SA) with SAICA. She graduated from Stellenbosch University and UNISA and completed articles. She has extensive experience in auditing, accounting and management reporting. Irma especially enjoys setting up internal controls and procedures which increases efficiency and accuracy.

Irma’s experience includes the roles of Finance Manager at Media 24 Magazines, and Finance Director of Groupon South Africa.

MADELEINE SWAN

Madeleine is Senior Business Development Manager with SAYes.

Madeleine has a Masters in International Development from the University of Birmingham, alongside ten years’ experience working in the International Development sector. She began her career working for a $20 million health organisation to become Senior Business Development Manager and has since utilised this experience to consult for a range of organisations, specialising in strategy development, process and system design, and proposal development.

This experience, alongside her passion for supporting the holistic development of young people, has culminated in her role managing Business Development at SAYes Mentoring.

WENDY HAMILTON

Wendy is Communications Manager with SAYes.

She completed a four-year Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design, before spending almost twenty years overseeing design projects in a Corporate Communications environment. The majority of those years were spent in the press office of one of the largest public-sector organisations in the U.K.

After next completing a BA (Hons) in Children and Young Adult’s Literature, she transferred to the role of Web Author. Here, she organised campaigns, ran the web content management system and social media; whilst writing operational press releases and the organisation’s website.

Wendy has been a SAYes mentor since 2020 but has volunteered with children’s organisations since 1990 – including the Guide Association and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Her passion for the education of young people culminated in 2011, when she returned to university and graduated with a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), allowing her to work as a Primary School Teacher.

FIONA COX

Fiona is a Transition Specialist/UK Programmes with SAYes.

She joined in 2023 after volunteering as a mentor since 2020. After gaining a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Warwick, she blended her passions for performing and the 1930s Hollywood musicals she studied as an undergraduate, forging a career singing jazz standards. Supplementing her musician’s income with work as a maths tutor, Fiona found she loved working one-on-one with young people, watching their confidence and abilities grow with sustained joint effort.

Fiona has a history of voluntary work and campaigning that aligns with her interests in sustainability and climate activism as well as tackling racial, gender, LGBTQIA+ and income inequality. She lived for some years in California but is now based back in the UK.

JACK SMITH

Jack is UK Mentee Liaison for SAYes.

He joined the team as a dynamic and driven individual with a remarkable journey. Growing up in the care system, he developed resilience and a strong sense of empathy. His passion for change and justice led him to engage in political campaigning, advocating for causes close to his heart.

With a desire to make a meaningful impact on society, Jack dedicated his time to volunteering and working with all things to do with looked-after children and young people, and those who have left the care system.

His hunger for learning led him to work in research positions for universities and other organisations, where he contributed to the advancement of knowledge, with a particular focus on mental health research.

Throughout these diverse experiences, Jack has consistently demonstrated a deep-rooted dedication to creating positive change. His unique background, combined with his strong work ethic and unwavering determination, makes him a catalyst for progress in his pursuit of justice and a better future for all.

Jack also spends his time as a dog walker/sitter, and is a proud member of the LGBT community.

ZIZIPHO QULUBA

Zizipho is SA Mentee Liaison with SAYes.

She started her SAYes journey in 2013, where she is proud to have been part of the first cohort of  SAYes mentees. In 2019, she was nominated as the first Chairperson for the South African Alumni. She continues in this role, connecting and supporting current and former mentees, by meeting regularly and being available to give advice.

As a result of work with one of her mentors, she was able to study full-time at Magnet Theatre. She graduated 2016 and started performing professionally, both locally and internationally. She blended her passions for performing and joined UNIMA SA and ASSITEJ SA organisations. Here, she facilitates theatre classes and presents lectures, performed through the use of puppets and movement to tell stories. She especially enjoys working with young people where she shares her journey and experience.

Zizipho continued her higher education in 2021-2022, where she studied Educare at North-link College, Cape Town. Here she trained to educate young children, as well as learning how to run a successful Educare Centre.

BERTIN KALOMBO

Bertin is SA Mentee Liaison with SAYes.

He has been part of SAYes since 2015,  first as a mentee and then as an Alumni. In 2018/19 he was elected as a Vice-Chair of the Alumni and then in 2020, as Chairperson. Along with colleague Zizipho, they work to maintain links with former and current mentees, creating a network of support through regular meetings and connecting.

In 2021, as an Alumni member, he felt honoured to represent SAYes in the South African Parliament. Here, he helped with the amendment of the Children’s Act. 

Bertin has worked in hospitality and other roles whilst continuing to pursue more study options. He also enjoys pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities, with the sole aim of empowering fellow youth. 

He enjoys the competitiveness and inclusivity of sports; taking part in change-making opportunities; and learning new languages. 

Most importantly, he enjoys the challenge of breaking down barriers that affect young people in modern day society.  

ABBA LOUGHRAN

AMINA PULULU

Amina is an Ambassador for SAYes.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in South Africa, Amina is a professionally trained dancer, property manager and model.

Her journey with SAYes began in 2011, and she takes great pride in being a part of the SAYes Alumni. In her role as a SAYes ambassador, Amina wishes to empower the youth that are both in and out of care whilst encouraging others to contribute to SAYes by becoming mentors, sponsors, or partners.

As a model, her aim is to inspire young refugees by demonstrating that regardless of their backgrounds, they all possess the potential for greatness. She wants them to see that they have endless opportunities for success.

Mentorship has played a crucial role Amina’s life, guiding her through challenges and helping in her personal and professional growth. She has witnessed first-hand the positive impact of mentorship, which drives her commitment to continue supporting SAYes. She firmly believes that mentorship can unlock the untapped potential in young minds, guiding mentees on their own paths to success.

Amina’s personal experiences as a refugee have significantly influenced her dedication to driving positive social change. She has experience working in childcare and as a result, her goal is to establish her own childcare agency, one that not only provides opportunities for young refugees but also empowers them through training and education. She wants to create opportunities that allow them to build meaningful careers in South Africa.

She believes that her life stands as a testament to resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a slightly better place by demonstrating that young people in care and refugees too can achieve greatness.

MAMMAWEZIZWE SIBIYA

Mammawezizwe is an Ambassador for SAYes.

Mammawezizwe Sibiya is a driven entrepreneur behind two companies: one specialising in thrift clothing and second-hand books, and the other in experimental film production; podcast production; graphic design; transcribing; social media; and editing services.

Inspired by her own journey and the mentoring she received, Mamma is dedicated to making a lasting impact. Through her businesses, she aims to inspire and empower the next generation, particularly those who face limited access to opportunities, by showcasing the possibilities within reach.

Her commitment to mentorship and her vision for social change serves as a beacon of hope and aspiration for young minds looking to dream beyond their circumstances.

CARLY JACOBS

Carly is an Ambassador for SAYes.

Carly is a volunteer, youth activist and community worker from Cape Town. She has been a part of SAYes for eight years. Starting as a mentee, she now proudly forms part of the Alumni. She is delighted to now be a SAYes Ambassador.

Being both a participant and a volunteer, resulted in her always wanting to be more involved in work that SAYes does. So when the opportunity arose to represent SAYes in Parliament, she grabbed the opportunity and rose to the challenge. She feels that it is inherent in her to help create social change. This drive from within has led Carly to dedicate her life to helping young people develop some sort of security – as well as inspiring them to not limit themselves.

Carly has learned many things from being a part of SAYes. She is looking forward to the future where she can incorporate what she has learned from the programme into her own non-profit organisation.

MICHEL MUKEBA

Michel is an Ambassador for SAYes.

Michel (known as Michee) was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the third of eight children. He moved to South Africa at the age 10 with his family, where has been living for the last 15 years.

He is a Christian and also feels that his personality is one of an optimist. He believes that it is important to live life to the fullest and to pursue your dreams. Michel also believes in giving back to the community and making a difference in the world. He is passionate about using his abilities to help people learn, create, and connect. Since being mentored – which he considers an honour and privilege – he feels that he has now transformed into mentoring’s biggest advocate. It had a huge impact on his personal and professional growth, and he believes that mentoring has the potential to make the world a better place.

In 2022, Michel received the Distinguished Leadership Award for his participation in the SAYes and Nike E-mentoring Programme. 

He is an advocate for diversity and inclusion, as well as for refugee and human rights. He believes that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. Michel is committed to using his strengths to help create a more equitable and fair world. 

In 2020, he graduated university with a degree in Information Technology. Being the first in his family to achieve such an educational milestone was particularly significant to him. Michel currently works as a Developer for a large consulting firm.

Outside of work, he playings basketball, hoping to play professionally overseas one day, and feels that he practically lives in the gym. He strongly believes that health is wealth. 

SHAMEELAH SEREO

Shameelah is an Ambassador for SAYes.

She is currently completing a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering. This role gives her a great deal of pleasure, as she is passionate about helping people and providing them with a great hospitality experience.

Growing up in a Children’s Home, Shameelah connected with SAYes in 2016. She feels that having this ‘amazing group of people’ as a support network helped her get to where she is today.

In her role as Ambassador, she hopes to give back to her community. She believes that being part of SAYes can help her to accomplish her goal of supporting young people with their education; commitment; and many more important aspects of life.

DIMAKATSO RAKAKI

Dimakastso is an Ambassador for SAYes.

Dimakasto is a proud mum of two; wife;  judoka and devoted judo coach; psychology student; and a passionate advocate for peace through sports and involvement in the community. For the past six years, she has been absorbed in the world of judo, both as a practitioner and instructor. Through judo, she has had the honour of teaching judo to visually-impaired pre-school children but also to loves to teach people of all ages, genders and many from disadvantaged backgrounds. Throughout these lessons, she instils not only martial art skills but also the principles of respect; honesty; discipline; modesty; and solidarity (as is in the Judo Moral Code). As a writer for Judo for Peace (JFP), she contributes to newsletters, attends fundraising meetings and campaigns; manage social media content; and arranges JFP events aimed at encouraging peace and mutual respect via judo. 

Dimakasto is also studying for a degree in Psychology. She is interested in researching the psychological characteristics of people in general, as well as those in sport. The result being – how this psychology may be used to enhance mental well-being and dispute resolution – both of which are important in her work with Judo For Peace. 

As a Victim Support Officer, she is currently active in the Community Policing Forum, collaborating with law enforcement to improve safety and community cohesiveness. Volunteering with a Neighbours Organisation, enables her to contribute to developing a supportive and inclusive community. 

Fluent in Sesotho, IsiNdebele, English, and an Intermediate in Italian, Dimakasto takes great pleasure in breaking down language barriers and building connections amongst different sections of the community. 

While she is passionate about her many professions, her family is the driving force. She treasures every moment she spends with her two children and hopes to instil in them a sense of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility. She has a great passion for helping people in any way possible.