Our Vision
Empowered, Resilient Future Leaders and Families Living with Dignity and Hope.
Our Mission
Rays of Hope is a Non-Profit Company (NPC) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), which manages a large number of social outreach programmes in Alexandra Township (Alex) in northern Johannesburg. The organisation focuses on children and their families to improve all aspects of their lives, journeying with them from vulnerability to independence. This creates a lasting impact on the broader Alex community.
Partnering with the Alexandra community to create sustainable change through psychosocial services, learning and development programmes.
MEET THE BOARD
Dr. Sepolo Malebese
Chairperson
Sepolo Malebese is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in safety, engineering, and operational leadership across the heavy engineering, petrochemical, and mining industries. Currently serving as Executive Director: SHERQ-IMS at Air Liquide, driving strategic and technical leadershiop across safety, health, environment, risk, quality, IMS and security frameworks for the Southern Africa region. Sepolo holds a Doctorate in Industrial Technology, an MBA, and Mechanical Engineering qualifications.
Mr. Muziwethu Zwane
Board Member
Muziwethu Zwane believes that a life worth living is rooted in service, guided by conviction, and executed through courageous leadership. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School, a Bachelor of Theology degree from the SA Theological Seminary and executive development from Harvard Business School, he integrates corporate acumen with spiritual depth to advance the work of restoration. Currently serving as CEO of Rays of Hope Community Development Foundation, Muziwethu leads one of Johannesburg’s most respected social impact organizations. Under his stewardship, the foundation has undergone strategic governance renewal, staff realignment, and programmatic transformation. Anchored in the Whole Child Model, the organization supports children and families in Alexandra through holistic learning, psycho-social interventions, and community engagement. With two decades of leadership experience in human capital management and corporate affairs across media, automotive manufacturing, and technology sectors, Muziwethu blends strategic clarity with grounded empathy. His personal mission is simple yet profound: to honour God by using his leadership, vision, and voice to inspire, challenge, and empower others. A devoted husband and proud father of emerging adults, Muziwethu is also a hobbyist photographer, an eager cook, and a brave gardener — occasionally tested by bees but never by purpose.
Ms. Mildred Mtshali
Board Member
Ms. Mildred Niniza Mtshali is a Manager: Regulatory Instruments Development at the Engineering Council of South Africa. Ms. Mildred Niniza Mtshali experience includes serving in basic education, higher education, training, and the professional body. She is a Professional Director (PD) SA with the Directors Association (DA) and an Ordinary (Corporate) M.Inst.D with the Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IoDSA). She is also a member of The Ethics Institute and is subscribed to the 12Manage Forum for global best management practices.
Mashudu Tshikovhi
Board Member
Mashudu Tshikovhi is a Development Finance Professional currently a Dealmaker at the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa. A qualified CA with over 15 years’ experience in the banking and development finance industry. Her experience spans across roles at Nedbank, the Land Bank and the Development Bank of South Africa, where the focus is on funding projects that aim to achieve social, economic, and environmental development goals.
Ms. Puleng Hlatshwayo
Board Member
Puleng Hlatshwayo is a seasoned public sector executive with deep expertise in supply chain management, strategic operations, and corporate governance. She currently serves as the Head of Corporate at the Johannesburg Roads Agency, where she leads efforts to enhance institutional efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and align operational delivery with the City’s broader developmental objectives.
MEET THE INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Lannie Davis-Frecker
President & CEO -Julie Billiart Schools, Ohio USA
Lannie Davis-Frecker is no stranger to the field of special education. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a Special Needs Endorsement from the University of Dayton, Lannie began her teaching career as an intervention specialist for Kindergarten, then second grade, at what is now known as Julie Billiart School Lyndhurst.
Olutola Afolayan
Managing Director - LiveFREE, California USA
Olutola Afolayan is a dynamic leader with over 15 years of experience in strategic leadership development and community-based initiatives. As the Managing Director of LIVEFREE CA, she successfully organized stakeholders around housing justice, public safety, and organizational resiliency across California.
Christopher Albrizio-Lee
President & CEO of MHMNWB, Massachusetts USA
Christopher (Chris) Albrizio-Lee is the President and CEO of the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board (MHMNWB), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA focused on workforce development. MHMNWB’s mission is to develop partnerships, generate resources, and advocate for workforce solutions that result in a skilled workforce, prospering businesses, and equitable access to meaningful career pathways and quality employment for residents.
Sristi Silwal
Chairperson - Cha Ya Nepal, Nepal South Asia
Sristi Silwal serves as the chairperson of the organization, Chay-Ya Nepal based in Nepal, dedicated to collaborating closely with rural communities in the country. The organization’s primary mission is focused on the development of health and education services, as well as women empowerment in rural areas to combat poverty.
Hayley Dean
CEO - Melba Support Services, Melbourne Australia
We are all equal by virtue of being human”. Hayley is a leader, advocate and champion for change who has spent her working life advocating for human rights and driving conversations about choice and control. She has an unwavering commitment to individualised, person-directed and centred service delivery. With over 30 years’ experience in the Disability, Aged Care and Community Health sectors.
Carole Wood
President & CEO - Northwestern University Settlement, Chicago USA
Carole is the President and CEO of Northwestern University Settlement House, a legacy social service organization with over a century of history serving Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. The Settlement House serves over 7,000 people annually through myriad programs, including the K-8 charter school Rowe Elementary, a food pantry, bilingual mental health services, early childhood education, after-school programming, teen and young adult programs, and an outdoor education center and residential summer camp in Delavan, Wisconsin.
Bret I. Parker
Executive Director - New York City Bar Association, New York USA
Bret Parker is Executive Director of the New York City Bar Association, where he coordinates and oversees the operation of the 23,000-member organization. Prior to his role at the Association, Bret served as in-house counsel at Elizabeth Arden, Wyeth and Colgate-Palmolive.
MEET THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Muziwethu Zwane
Chief Executive Officer
Sandy Chapman
Finance & Operations Manager
Jacob Tema
Education Support Manager
Charmaine Seloma
Stakeholder Relations Manager
