hello@thechosenpo.co.za

 

OVERVIEW

Our aim is to nurture young people and equip them with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to live purposeful lives and prepare them for tertiary studies and future careers. We identify young people who come from underprivileged backgrounds and low-income house-holds. The Chosen’s model is holistic and we support and help our beneficiaries on a learning journey that ensures continued growth and development.

Facilitating access to excellent educational resources and creating an awareness of careers.

Creating an environment that is conducive to the beneficiaries’ psycho-social being.

Our funder Arup Education Trust (AET) aims enhance the quality of lives of disadvantaged youths through education and skills development with emphasis on the girl child.

How to Join Us

OUR SELECTION PROCESS

We source our beneficiaries from schools, and our objective is to expand our presence by establishing a center in each province across South Africa. The stages of our selection process are as follows:

 

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What We Do

We carefully choose learners from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing pure Mathematics and Physical Science. Through THUKEMA , we empower them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their studies. THUKEMA expands the pool of eligible learners who can pursue STEM-related studies at universities. The programme serves a valuable purpose in tackling South Africa's skills shortages by fostering the development of future engineers and STEM professionals.

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S.H.A.P.E | Our Model

Our model encapsulates our holistic framework. The acronym is S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual, Health support, Advocacy, Psychosocial and Education).

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Who We Are

OUR TEAM OF EDUCATORS

 

Kush Kufa | Physical Science Teacher

Mr Kush Kufa is a qualified Physical Science educator, with 15 years teaching experience. He is a full time educator at a high school in Soweto. He has been Thukema’s Physical Science teacher for 6 years and he has a track record of producing excellent results. He enjoys watching soccer and is also a committed Christian.

 

Ngobeni |  Mathematics Teacher

Mr Ngobeni is a qualified and experienced educator and teaches at a high school in Soweto. He has been with Thukema for 6 years, and has a track record of excellence. He enjoys watching soccer and listening to music.

Handsome Ncube |   Geography Teacher

Mr Handsome Ncube is a qualified Geography teacher with 16 years teaching experience. He teaches full time at Future Nation schools. For 4 years he has been Thukema's Geography teacher and has demonstrated a consistent track record of excellence. When he is not teaching he enjoys going to church for worship and loves watching soccer.

Edwin Ramolefe |  Life Sciences Teacher

Mr Edwin Ramolefe, a.k.a. Sir Rams is a highly qualified educator with 35 years experience in the teaching field. He is a Life Sciences teacher, with a track record of excellence. He teaches full time at a high school in Soweto. Sir Rams has been with Thukema for 4 years. He is also a motivational speaker and enjoys playing pool.

OUR BOARD MEMBERS

 

Kena Nkoma | Founder

Kena Anna Nkoma, Founder, and CEO of The Chosen non-profit organisation is a seasoned leader driven by a profound commitment to a purposeful life and the fulfilment of her life's mission. In her role, Kena takes charge of all aspects of the organization, steering the mission, overseeing operations, and fostering engagement with the board of directors. Known for her passion, action-oriented approach, and resilience, Kena is a visionary leader firmly grounded in unwavering faith. Her inspiration is drawn from the Word, and her values are deeply rooted in its teachings. Kena has skillfully translated The Chosen's vision into day-to-day operations by developing systems, processes, and tools that propel the organisation toward its goals. With over 20 years of experience as a seasoned HR practitioner, she brings a wealth of expertise cultivated across diverse industries, including education, communications, banking, and investment sectors. Educationally, Kena holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and a BCom Honours degree from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Beyond her professional pursuits, Kena finds solace in writing poetry. As an aspiring author, she looks forward to sharing her creative work with the world one day.

 

Zandile Ncube |  Treasurer

Zandile qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2020 after serving articles at Ernst & Young .She has professional experience in Tax, Audit and Finance. She graduated top of her class in high school. She is currently working in Assurance in London United Kingdom. At Wits she was part of the Mentorship program, where she mentored students who were at risk of failing; she also served as a Deputy Chairperson for ABASA (Advancement of Black Accountants in Southern Africa) and was part of the Golden Key International Honor Society. 

 

She has also sat in Church Boards on various capacities including Education Leader. She is passionate about the progression of young people, especially the previously disadvantaged and underprivileged. 

 

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Accounting Science (University of the Witwatersrand), PGD Applied Accounting Sciences (University of South Africa), CA (SA)

Gildah Tshukutswane 

Gildah Tshukutswane has a BCom Degree in Information Systems and Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Practice and Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt and Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. She is also a Certified Coach and founder of Wells of Value.   Before venturing out to explore her entrepreneurial interests on a full-time basis, Gildah gained experience working for North West Provincial Government as a Computer Programmer; Andersen Consulting, now known as Accenture and Nokusa Consulting as Information Technology (IT) and Management Consultant and Manager.   She has many years of IT and business management experience, having worked with over 30 highly regarded organisations and delivered over 40 management consulting projects across various industries. Gildah is passionate about operational excellence, project management, growth, social impact and sustainability - of organisations and people that she has the honour of serving. She loves coaching people to be FREE to live their best lives. She is a pragmatic leader with an entrepreneurial flair.

 

Sithembiso Ntombela     

COO of ADNOTES with subsidiaries in Telecoms, Edtech and ICT. In addition, he is a Co-founder and Board member of the Growth Catalyst Fund championing the new green economy in South Africa and Namibia. He has been in various senior management and leadership roles; as Executive Director of the holding company and family office foundation former Head of Mzansi Golden Economy at the National Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), responsible for the operations of the Fund that made investments in strategic projects, enterprises within the creative and cultural industries. While at the DAC, served as the head of special projects in the office of the Director-General and a member of the ‘Operation Phakisa’ in the office of the Minister. He was also responsible for the conception of the Creative Arts Incubator that supports the development of start ups and early stage enterprises. 

 

It was during his tenure at the Department that he was nominated to serve on the committee of the World Economic Forum in Africa government task team and on the Presidential Funeral Committee that oversees the planning of state and official funerals. Sithembiso began his professional journey as SME Development Manager at UCT Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) where he was responsible for the privately managed funds of the Swiss-South African Cooperation Initiative and from the International Finance Corporation (IFC of the World Bank), Grassroots initiative which provided early stage, growth funding and support services to SMEs and Social Enterprises. During his time at the CIE, Sithembiso also lectured on New Venture Creation and Business planning modules. He holds a Diploma in Accounting, Economics, Quantitative Management from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and an Entrepreneurship Development Program and Impact Investing Certificate from the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB).