Meet Our Team
Kgololo Academy Staff
Gift Mbatha
Fitness Lead Teacher
Gift Mbatha is the Fitness Leader at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2022. Gift has applied for admission to study for his Bachelor's Degree in Education. Gift has prior experience in Physical Education and has attained a number of certificates in sports inside and outside of school as the most committed player as well as for being a coach in sports. In his free time, Gift enjoys meditating, working out, engaging in social activities, and enjoys discussing social as well as economic issues. Gift enjoys working at Kgololo Academy because he gets the opportunity to engage with young people who he can share his experience and skills with so that they can work on becoming the best version of themselves physically as well as intellectually.
Hellen Sibiya
Grade 1 Lead Teacher
Hellen is currently a Grade 1 Lead teacher at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2022. She is an alumna of the University of Johannesburg where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in primary education (B. Education degree). Hellen aspires to be an educational psychologist. During her spare time, she enjoys reading books, traveling, cooking, and watching new movies. Hellen enjoys working at Kgololo Academy because she gets to meet and work with friendly people and has the opportunity to teach her scholars. She enjoys working at Kgololo Academy as she gets to practice and grow in her profession.
Marvelous Ncube
Student Support Associate
Marvelous is on the Student Support Team at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2016. Marvelous is the proud parent to future Kgololo scholar Kelvin class of 2041, and Corlet class of 2047. In her free time, Marvelous enjoys watching TV, shopping, and meeting with her family at family gatherings. Marvelous loves working at Kgololo Academy because she gets the opportunity to learn how to make different dishes and engage with scholars who demonstrate the KA values.
Nelisiwe Mhlongo
Principal
Nelly is the Principal at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2015. Nelly is a proud graduate of the Tshwane University of Technology and Innovatus College where she received a Diploma in Education and Standford College where she received her Diploma in Marketing. Nelly is the proud parent to Kgololo Academy scholar Dumolwenkosi, class of 2028, and a proud aunt to Kgololo Academy scholars, Kuyabonelelwa and Kwanele, class of 2028. In her free time, Nelly enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, watching romantic movies, and shows, and reading the word. Nelly loves working at Kgololo Academy because every day she gets the opportunity to do what she loves every day. KA allows her to spread her wings and fly, there are no limitations to growing.
Nomsa Musa
Grade 3 Lead Teacher
Nomsa has been employed at Kgololo Academy as a grade 3 Lead Teacher since January 2023. She loves reading, baking and attending musical events. In her spare time, Nomsa enjoys spending time with her sister and nephew. Nomsa loves working at Kgololo Academy because she gets a chance to create meaningful relationships with her scholars and develop as a great teacher who makes a difference in the lives of children in the community.
Nothando Mhlongo
Extra-mural Teacher
Nothando is a Creative Art Teacher at Kgololo Academy and joined The KA team in 2016. Nothando is Fashion Designer. She went to Tshwane North College where she received her Fashion Designing and Garment making Certificate and went to Tshwane South College where she received her Clothing Production and Manufacture Certificate. Nothando is a proud aunt to Kgololo Academy scholar Dumolwenkosi, Kuyabonelelwa and Kwanele, calss of 2028. Nothando enjoys drawing, sewing, crafting, watching movies, reading the word and creating plays, singing, and dancing. Nothando loves working at Kgololo Academy because every day she gets the opportunity to do what she loves every day. KA allows her to grow and develop her skills.
Noxolo Zulu
IsiZulu Teacher
Noxolo is the IsiZulu Lead Teacher at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2021. Noxolo is a proud graduate of the University of Zululand where she received a Bachelor of Education. Noxolo is a proud mother of one child Luzelwande and she has three siblings. She loves baking, watching movies, and enjoys spending time with her loved ones. Noxolo loves to work at Kgololo Academy because it is an environment that allows her to grow and she gets the chance to change someone’s life for the better.
Pamela Gijima
Operations Associate
Pamela is the Operations Associate at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2015. When Pamela joined Kgololo Academy, she was a lead grade Pre-R teacher and then moved to a new role of Office Assistant in 2018. In 2019, she moved to the role of Operations Associate through professional development. Pamela is the proud parent of Kgololo scholar Unathi, class of 2035 and Lwandle, class of 2040. In her free time, Pamela enjoys watching reality shows, baking cakes, trying new recieps and going out to the parks with her family. Pamela loves working at Kgololo Academy because she gets the opportunity to grow everyday in her profession and challenge her peers to be their best selves.
Portia Mamba
Grade 5 Lead Teacher
Portia is a lead teacher at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2021. Portia is a proud graduate of the University of South Africa where she received her Postgraduate certificate in education and of the Tshwane University of Technology where she received her National Diploma in Law enforcement. In her free time, Portia enjoys listening to music, going out hiking, trying new baking recipes, and watching romantic and adventure movies. Portia loves working at KA because each day provides an opportunity for her to have a direct positive impact on the lives of KA Scholars.
Precious Sabela
Grade 4 Lead Teacher and Instructional Coach
Precious is a lead teacher at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2019. Precious is a proud graduate of the University Of KwaZulu Natal where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Education. In her free time, Precious enjoys reading, watching Netflix, and calling her family and friends. Precious loves working at Kgololo Academy because every day she gets to live, laugh and love the scholars and staff members.
Pretty Jama
Grade 2 Lead Teacher
Pretty is a Lead Teacher at Kgololo Academy and she joined the KA team in January 2022. Pretty is a proud graduate of Rosebank College where she received a Bachelor's of Education Degree in Intermediate Phase. Pretty also holds a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate (TEFL). In her free time, Pretty enjoys reading, cooking, and trying new recipes. Pretty love and enjoy working at Kgololo Academy because every day she gets a chance to expand her knowledge and grow with the Kgololo Academy staff and scholars.
Sandisani Mhiza
Administrative Associate
Sandisani is a Lead Teacher at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2018. Sandisani is a proud graduate of Seke Teacher's College where she received a Diploma in Early Childhood Development. Sandisani is the proud parent to Akim, Class of 2035, and Ethan future Kgololo scholars. In her free time, Sandisani enjoys exercising, baking, reading, cooking, and watching movies. Sandisani loves working at Kgololo Academy because every day she gets the opportunity to influence the lives of KA's lovely scholars as they pave their way to University.
Sharon Ndlovu
Student Support Associate
Sharon is on the Student Support Team at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2015. Sharon is born and bred in Zimbabwe and has 4 beautiful children. Sharon In her free time enjoys cleaning, washing, cooking, and meeting with her family at family gatherings. Sharon loves working at Kgololo Academy because she gets the opportunity to learn how to work professionally and collectively with the team and how she has developed her cooking skills.
Sizakele Kunene
Student Support Associatel
Sizakele is on the Student Support Team at Kgololo Academy and joined the KA team in 2018. Sizakele is the proud parent to Kgololo Academy scholar Siyabonga, class of 2029, and future Kgololo scholar Siyanda, class of 2037. In her free time, Sizakele enjoys listening to country music and relaxing with her kids at her house. Sizakele loves working at Kgololo Academy she loves children and gets to see them every day and learns a lot from them through their curiosity.
Waahida Tolbert-Mbatha
Co-founder and Head of School
Waahida is the co-founder and Head of School at Kgololo Academy and founded Kgololo in 2015. Waahida is a proud graduate of Berea College where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and the University of Wisconsin, where she received a Masters's Degree in Education Policy. Waahida is the proud parent to Kgololo Academy scholar Themba, class of 2028, and future Kgololo scholar Amari, class of 2037, and Lethukukhanya, class of 2039. In her free time, Waahida enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, watching crime tv shows, and meeting new people. Waahida loves working at Kgololo Academy because every day she gets the opportunity to learn and grow along with the Kgololo Academy staff and scholars.
