Amélie Guyot-Staal

Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Amélie oversees monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL).

She holds a degree in Social Work, an Honors in Social Development (Cape Town University), and a Masters in Sustainable Development Planning and Management (University of Stellenbosch).

Andile Msomi

South African Program Associate

Andile joined the Children’s Radio Foundation in 2013 as a Regional Trainer. She became a Senior Trainer and Health Coordinator for Kwazulu Natal sites in 2018 before moving to the head office in 2019 as part of her SA Program Associate role. Andile graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors of Sport Sciences and an Honors in Exercise Science in 2013. She has also participated in the Laureus Youth Empowerment through Sports (YES) project and obtained certificates in IT, events (sports) management, facilitation and radio.

Arsène Ngombe

Program Director

Arsène oversees the Children’s Radio Foundation’s programs and provides strategic development and support to its functional units including finance, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL). In his career, Arsène has managed various large-scale programs at developmental, health and peace building organisations. Arsène holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from the University of Kinshasa, DRC and a Master’s degree in Development Planning from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ashley Ellis

Fundraising & Development Associate

Ashley attended The University of Southern California, where she earned a B.A. in English and a Masters in Professional Writing.  It was there that she became a dedicated advocate for human rights and social and environmental justice. Her experience intersects writing and filmmaking, education, and nonprofit development. At the Children’s Radio Foundation, Ashley is building resources and a global community of diverse supporters. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Film and Media Studies at The University of Cape Town, where her key focus is youth development. 

Bob Yala

Country Manager, DRC

Bob made his entrance into the world of radio in 2001, when he joined the team at Réveil FM in Kinshasa, and went on to work as a reporter for local TV channel RTGA. Bob worked for seven years in Mbandaka as the manager of a local radio station set up by the International Organisation of the Francophonie. In 2010, he moved back to Kinshasa and was immediately recruited as Project Manager by RFI Planète Radio, where he worked until 2014. Bob is currently the Manager of Secteur Média and the Country Manager of the DRC for the Children’s Radio Foundation.

Brighton Kaoma

Country Manager, Zambia

Brighton co-founded the Agents of Change Foundation in Zambia which schools youth in civic participation, ethical leadership, climate change negotiations, and sexual and reproductive health issues. Brighton has consulted for organisations such as UNICEF Zambia and WWF on issues of youth inclusion, inequality, and climate change. He is currently a graduate student in Environmental Science and Policy (Class of 2020) at Columbia University, and an intern for The Earth Institute’s Initiative on Communication and Sustainability.

Busi Mbetshu

Regional Mentor

Busi is a Regional Mentor for Eastern Cape and Northern Cape project sites. She started working for the Children’s Radio Foundation in 2014 as a Youth Mentor under the NACCW Isibindi project. Her role is to assist and support training and monitoring in order to capacitate all the project sites that she manages. She is a professional Child and Youth Care Worker for the National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers (NACCW). She obtained her certificate in 2012. She also studied Human Resources at Eastcape Midlands College in Uitenhage in 2009.

Clémence Petit-Perrot

Learnings & Innovation Director

Clémence oversees all new initiatives at the Children’s Radio Foundation and works at ensuring that our learnings are constantly integrated in upcoming projects. Clémence has 10 years of radio journalism and facilitation experience and, from 2008 to 2011, was the southern Africa correspondent for Radio France Internationale. She has a postgraduate degree in Political Science and International Relations from the Institut d’Études Politiques, University of Toulouse, France, a postgraduate degree in Journalism from IJBA (University of Bordeaux, France) and is completing her Masters in Inclusive Innovation at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.

Farhana Jacobs

Curriculum Coordinator

Farhana Jacobs is an illustrator and graphic designer from Durban, South Africa. She completed an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Social Anthropology at the University of Cape Town, after which she worked in a Cape Town based design studio. Before joining the Children’s Radio Foundation she was a facilitator to school-going youth in the Western Cape where she taught visual art. Her experience at the Children’s Radio Foundation ranges from media trainer and program support, to curriculum design and development. She enjoys condensed milk coffee, black and white photography and rainy days indoors.

Gabriel Tsheola

Junior Project Associate

Gabriel Tsheola joined the Children’s Radio Foundation in 2014 as a youth reporter at Alex FM. Today, Gabriel is Junior Project Associate, which involves working closely with the South African Programmes team. He is also the Regional Mentor for the Western Cape project sites. Gabriel studied Media Practices at Boston Media House and Radio Journalism at The Media Connection.

Jessica Jackel

Country Manager, Tanzania

Jessica is the Program Manager at Mwanza Youth and Children Network (MYCN) in Mwanza, Tanzania. MYCN has been partnering with the Children’s Radio Foundation since 2012 to implement rights-based advocacy programs for children and youth throughout Tanzania. As Program Manager Jessica supervises the Youth Reporters radio programs, working closely with local facilitators and the Children’s Radio Foundation team in Cape Town.

Jo Jackson

Communications Manager

Jo is a writer and multimedia creative. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, she has lived, studied and worked all over Europe. That's where she became bilingual in French and graduated with an MA in Creative & Life Writing from Goldsmiths University of London. Her work was shortlisted for the Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2018.

Marlyse Gakpa

Country Manager, Ivory Coast

Marlyse joined CRF in October 2019 as the Ivory Coast Country Manager with the mandate to consolidate its youth reporter network. Prior to joining CRF, Marlyse was involved in various projects in charge of communications and partnership building. Marlyse holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from the British Institute of Management and Technology, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Mathapelo Mofokeng

Senior Program Manager

After completing her undergraduate degree in film producing and working on the production of various feature films, Mathapelo moved into radio as CRF's South African Project Manager. In 2017 Mathapelo was awarded the prestigious UK Chevening Scholarship, which allowed her to complete an MA in Scriptwriting at the highly acclaimed London University of Goldsmiths. Her films have since screened at the Underwire, London Shorts, BFI Soul Connect and Heart of Gold Film Festival. She is currently the Children's Radio Foundation's Senior Program Manager of international projects.

Mike Rahfaldt

Executive Director

Mike oversees the international operations from Cape Town. Before joining the Children’s Radio Foundation in 2006, Michal taught media and anthropology at the University of Cape Town. As a journalist, he has contributed to Public Radio International, BBC World Service, NPR, and the New York Times. Mike received his PhD from the University of Michigan in 2007.

Mutetelenu Kalama

Country Manager, Zambia

Mutetelenu co-founded the Agents of Change Foundation, which trains young people in leadership skills, basic radio skills, and promotes the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. She holds a degree in Development Studies from the Catholic University. She has worked in youth development in different spheres by representing young people in her country and around the globe. She has been a UNICEF Ambassador, was named one of SADC's 100 most influential young people, and received an award from the Women Economic Forum for fostering the empowerment of girls.

Mxolisi Chamane

Regional Mentor

Mxolisi is from KwaMashu on the outskirts of Durban, South Africa. He started his journey with CRF as a youth reporter. Through his hard work and love for radio, he went on to become a Local Facilitator - a role that developed his leadership skills. Now Mxolisi works as the Regional Mentor for KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State. He also works as a radio producer for VibeFM, and holds a certificate in Transport and Logistics.

Patou Izai Kep’na

Country Coordinator, DRC

Patou Izai Kep’na is a Congolese human rights and youth activist, artist, and founder of the Jeunialissime organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Patou manages the Jeuniafrica youth radio programme, aimed at raising awareness on LGBTI+ rights. Patou holds a Bac +5 (master’s degree equivalent) in Design of Information Systems from the National Pedagogical University in Kinshasa, DRC.

Rachel Bukasa

International Program Manager

Rachel manages the International Program run by CRF in Tanzania, Zambia, Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to joining CRF, Rachel worked for NGOs specializing in the youth, education and development sectors.  She holds a Masters of Laws degree from the University of Cape Town, majoring in human rights and international law. Rachel is also an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Samuel Ramodike

Regional Mentor

Samuel Ramodike is a Regional Mentor for Mpumalanga, Gaugteng, North West and Limpopo project sites for the Children's Radio Foundation. His role is to assist and support training and monitoring in order to capacitate all the project sites that he manages. Samuel has a Diploma in Media Practice and is part of the YALI Network. With 8 years experience in radio, he also works as the Production Manager for a community radio station in Johannesburg called Alex FM - one of the first community radio stations in South Africa.

Shaban Ramadhani Maganga

Country Manager, Tanzania

Shaban founded the Mwanza Youth and Children Network (MYCN) in 2009. Since then he has served as its Executive Chairperson and has built a strong relationship with the Children’s Radio Foundation, implementing programs throughout Tanzania since 2012. Shaban plays a key role in training, supervising, and seeking out opportunities to link young radio journalists to important national and local level duty bearers, service providers and leaders.

Thando Ntoi

Finance Director

Thando joined the team in July 2015 and manages both the Financial and Strategic functions within the Children’s Radio Foundation. Prior to joining, Thando spent almost ten years working in Program Management, Corporate Finance and Strategy for several multinationals including Ernst and Young and Old Mutual. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, majoring in Finance and Accounting, as well as an Honors degree in Business Finance from UNISA. Thando is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Wardi Adams

Office Administrator

Wardi is the Office Administrator at our Cape Town office. She completed her Bachelors Degree at the University of the Western Cape in English Literature and has worked in various roles within the NGO sector. Wardi supports our team logistically, manages the space at our Head Office and tends to all our teams needs.

Xolani Kondile

South African Program Associate

Xolani’s role at the Children’s Radio Foundation continues to evolve. He joined the team four years ago as the Eastern Cape and Free State Regional Trainer. Now, as the South Africa Program Associate, he supports 16 sites in the Youth Reporters Network (YRN) in South Africa, as well as four Regional Trainers. His relationship management capabilities are key in the management of the YRN activities, which must be precisely planned and executed across the network. Xolani comes from the community radio sector in Grahamstown, his hometown.