A Hand Up, Not a Hand-Out
We only work with those who are prepared to help themselves. When the loans are paid back, they are reinvested to assist other entrepreneurs. Every rand and dollar is leveraged to help as many people as possible.
VISION & TEAM
Empowering Women
Phakamani (pronounces pug-ah-ma-nee) means ‘rise up’ in isiZulu.
Empowering impoverished women to succeed
Our integrated programme of training, group loans, and ongoing support leads to income, savings, and hope for the next generation. The Foundation is a registered nonprofit, Christian, public benefit organisation that serves people in need irrespective of race, religion, or creed.
Our Mission & Vision
We envision a country in which even the poorest entrepreneur has the opportunity to create a business, uplift a family, and build a dream.
Our mission is to empower poor individuals to succeed at micro-enterprise by providing training, suitable micro-finance products, and ongoing support that will help them thrive.
Guiding Principles
We value the poor
We value doing the right thing
We value greatness from humility
We value loyalty and truth
We value being trustworthy
We value an attitude of gratitude
Management Team
CEO (2015)
Eric brought his vast experience in managing and developing many different businesses to his role as CEO. Eric has a broad skill set that is ideally suited to this role at Phakamani Foundation. Eric spent seven years in retail and more than 10 years in various project management and senior management positions before taking on two different COO roles. Eric holds an MBA from Thames Valley University in London.
CFO (2015)
Kudzi has over 15 years experience across the private, public and non-profit sectors, and has spent the last decade strengthening donor-funded organisations supported by local and international funders. He joined Phakamani Foundation in 2015 and now leads social and financial strategy, stewardship, and compliance across a national development microfinance programme. His areas of expertise comprise financial strategy setting, Financial Management, budgeting and forecasting, cash-flow management, risk management and corporate governance, fundraising, donor reporting and assurance, AML/FIC compliance, audit readiness, systems integration and data-driven performance management. Kudzi holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) and an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), Spain.
Internal Audit and QA Manager (2009)
Gabriel has 24 years of experience working and leading micro-finance operations in South Africa. He has worked as a Branch, Zonal, and Training Manager at Small Enterprise Foundation. Gabriel has a Senior Teachers Diploma, Micro-Enterprise Foundation and Development Certificate from University of Limpopo, Southern New Hampshire University (School of Community Economic Development), Management of Development Organizations and Community Based Microfinance Coady International Institute of St. Francis Xavier University in Canada. Visited India’s Micro Finance Organisations (Share and Cashpor). Gabriel is the son of a poor woman who herself took out a micro-loan, which gives him a special perspective on Phakamani’s work.
Human Resources and Training Manager (2009)
William brings a diverse range of skills and project experience to his role. William was previously a lecturer and teacher in several institutions. William holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree specialising in Human Resource Management, a Diploma in Education from Mkoba Teachers College, and certificates in Practical Labour Law, Risk & Compliance Management, Microfinance Management, and Ministerial Theology. William is completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Development as well as the Governance Practitioner level with the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa.
Our Board
Matthew Comins (Board Chair)
Regional Director, the FD & CFO Centre, Mpumalanga, South Africa and Mozambique
Matthew is the Mpumalanga and Mozambique Regional Director for the FD & CFO Centre. Previous financial leadership experience comes from his 10 years as the Group CFO for the HL Hall & Sons Group and as a Regional Financial Controller for Standard Commercial Inc. in Tanzania and Malawi and Alliance One International Inc. Matthew completed his articles with Pim Goldby/Deloitte & Touche in the early 1990s. As a dedicated member of the South African financial professional community, he is a registered Chartered Accountant and a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. Matthew has a passion for the ‘numbers that really matter’ and his strengths lie in Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Treasury management, interpreting the real story behind the numbers, and building and supporting effective finance teams.
Ronas Marule
Regional Director – Provision
Ronas serves on the International Team with responsibility for Africa. This includes Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa where he mentors leaders both online and through field visits. Previously, Ronas was Area Director for Mpumalanga at Youth for Christ, a non-profit, non-denominational, Christian youth development ministry directly addressing problems and needs of the young people of South Africa. He also serves on their National Leadership Team and is presently serving as a board member at ASM Clinic and also Pro-Vision. Prior to this he was a Pastor and lecturer at Africa School of Missions. Ronas has served on the boards of Hands at Work, Ekukhanyeni Child Care, Child-Welfare Mpumalanga, Child-Welfare White River and Mpumalanga Alliance for Street Children. Ronas graduated from North West University with an Honours degree in Theology in 2015.
Khomotso Malapane
Senior Education Specialist, Department of Education
Khomotso is a registered counsellor in psychology with more than 10 years’ experience working with rural youth in Mpumalanga. Her current role with the Mpumalanga government has her working directly with teenagers and their families to plan how to improve their futures. Khomotso earned her junior and post-graduate degrees at the then Rand Afrikaans University. She is a seasoned mental health practitioner with demonstrated track record of successfully working with diverse client populations in numerous and varied roles. Her community work includes, serving on the Careers Exhibitions and Information Association (CEIA) national community, and also at the Lutheran Church in Acornhoek Parish.
Mark Tucker
Co-Founder and Vice Chair – Phakamani Foundation
Mark Tucker has more than 30 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship. He began his career in information technology, holding various management positions in Standard Bank and Anglo American Corporation. He later established Buzzmark Holdings Ltd, a Canadian company that develops and operates Great Clips for Hair franchises in British Columbia and Alberta. Mark also served as Senior Pastor at Heritage Mountain Community Church, in British Columbia, which he helped establish. Mark was born in Canada and raised in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Vuyelwa Matsiliza
Non-Executive Director
Over a period of 30 years, Vuyelwa Matsiliza has served as a teacher, lecturer, central banker, development financier, and non-executive director. She has deep skills in macro-economic application, strategy research & development, treasury management, credit insurance, enterprise & credit risk management, project finance, corporate finance, investment management, portfolio management & evaluation and governance. Vuyelwa holds a BA, BA Economics Honours Cum Laude, Master of Business Leadership, and a Secondary Teachers Diploma. She is currently an active non-executive director at the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa, Chris Hani Development Agency and IsivandeSethu.
