Our board of Trustees and Exco

Mr. Silas Mbedzi has extensive management experience in the public and private sectors, commanding unparalleled authority in the water sector. Mbedzi previously held positions as CEO at the Mhlathuze Water Board and as the Chief Director: Institutional Oversight at the Department of Water Affairs. Mbedzi also worked as an associate director at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, where he was responsible for the local government market. He occupied deputy director-general positions in the Gauteng (Department of Development Planning and Local Government) and Limpopo (Department of Land, Housing and Local Government) Provincial Governments. Mbedzi has also worked at the Work Bank, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Johannesburg City Council and at the University of Cape Town. Mbedzi has academic qualifications from the Harvard Business School, Wits University and post-graduate degrees from the University of Cape Town and the University of the North.

Ms. Julia Mmushi has unmatched experience in project management, contract management and business process integration. As a seasoned civil engineer, Mmushi previously worked at Bigen Africa Consultants as a civil engineer and was the engineering projects coordinator for BP South Africa. Mmushi has worked for the Mvula Trust for the past 13 years and holds academic qualifications from the Cape Peninsula Technicon, UNISA and the Project Management Institute.

Dakalo is a talented attention to details individuals who understand working within development sector with vast experience working on variety of Non governmental Organisations , Philanthropy, Foundations and local organisations within the Finance Sector. I have developed and implemented various Financial, administrative and Human resources policies and procedures and ensuring the implementation of various policies and procedures within institutions.

Mr. Xola Ntobongwane is based in the KwaZulu-Natal office of the Mvula Trust and has been with the organisation for the past 21 years. Ntobongwane is passionate about community partnerships and is an expert in the community-based project management approach that Mvula Trust implements across all its projects. He was previously employed with the Urban Foundation and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Transport. Ntobongwane has academic qualifications from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban University of Technology.

Lonwabo Mapolisa is a Professional Civil Engineering Technologist who has specialized in water and sanitation projects. He is currently the Acting Regional Director for The Mvula Trust Eastern Cape Region. He is leading and supporting various water and sanitation projects. His most recent project experience includes working as Chief Engineer and Programme Manager for various water and sanitation infrastructure (Eastern Cape Schools Building Programme, ASIDI& SAFE Programmes). He has experience in all aspects of the project management cycle, including procurement and management of construction projects, from feasibility studies, detail design and contract documentation to contract management and construction monitoring.

Cuthbert is a Civil Engineer who is registered with the Engineering Councils of South Africa and Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe as a Professional Engineer.He is also registered as a mediator, adjudicator and arbitrator with the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC and as an International Arbitrator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) where he is a Fellow. He holds a BSc (Hons.) in Civil Engineering,a MSc in Construction Project Management, an LLM in Construction Law and Arbitration, a Post Graduate Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration, Fellowship Admission Course with the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC and NQF 7: Labour Intensive Construction Course. He has 18 years post graduate experience in the planning, design and implementation of water and sanitation infrastructure projects.He also has extensive experience in construction and engineering contracts claims consultancy, dispute resolution, forensic audit investigations of infrastructure projects, expert advisory services, and dispute resolution (negotiation to arbitration and litigation support services). Cuthbert has led negotiated settlement proceedings and has also acted as party representative in construction mediation, adjudication and arbitration proceedings. He has also provided expert advisory services on liability and quantum for disputed construction and engineering claims and disputes. He has working knowledge of FIDIC, JBCC and GCC suites of contracts.

Trevor Rajnarain is a Specialist Engineer in Water, Waste Water and Solid Waste Management. He has experience in operations, maintenance, management and project management of various national water and sanitation projects. He is currently working on various water and sanitation infrastructure programmes for the Department of Basic Education (ASIDI & SAFE). Trevor actively manages organizational processes, systems and standard operating procedures relating to project management. This involves Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing out of the Project. He contributes to Quality Management and Performance Management of standard operating procedures and provides strategic direction and leadership to staff in all regional offices.

Backed with a communications qualification, Patricia has worked herself up from Personal Assistant to Project Manager to Quality Assurance Manager She has worked on various successful Projects including the Gautrain and Soccer City stadium upgrade for the 2010 Soccer World Cup She was also involved in City of Tshwane’s Human Settlements formalization programmes But b esides working on projects, Patricia also gained extensive experience in Supply Chain Management specifically Tendering and marketing She is able to put these diverse experiences together as a Quality Assurance professional She is able to multi task and she is adept at fulfilling her roles and responsibilities at the Mvula Trust

I have extensive experience in Human Resource Management, working as Generalist. I have developed policies and implemented various projects in the HR field that have resulted in sustained business growth and employee development. I have also led various committees within the companies that I have worked for. I am proficient HR Business Partner and hands-on implementation, and able to deal with many complexities at the same time, putting these into prioritized action plans. I am a team player and believe in team involvement and buy-in Strategies and I am a committed, dedicated individual, I take initiative. I believe in the development of people.

Julia Selobilwe’s expertise is in effective social facilitation and project management of multi-disciplinary projects. She ensures good project management and adherence to policies, guidelines and contracts. Julia is on site at initiation stage of projects where she conducts stakeholder relationship management, directing, organising and controlling project activities. She is also involved in monitoring and evaluation, project planning and informing implementation strategies and application of good project management techniques to ensure projects adhere to planned time scales and budgets. She is also a qualified training facilitator, assessor and moderator.

Khaya Makaza has worked on a range of projects including commercial, education, government, healthcare, industrial, leisure and culture, residential, retail and sport, ensuring the projects meet the required legal and quality standards. He has worked in close contact with the client advising them on legal and financial matters that arise during the project. At Mvula, Khaya works on Cost Advice And Cost Planning, Contract Documentation, Tendering And Contractual Arrangements, Contract Services and Compiling cost data for insurance valuations.

I am a Professionally Registered Quantity Surveyor with South African council for The Quantity Surveying profession and also MRICS. I have 18 years experience as a Quantity Surveyor providing Professional QS Services to both clients and contractors. I am conversant with NEC3 , FIDC and JBCC forms of contracts. I have experience in Managing Consultants and providing Professional QS Services to Clients in Power Station Construction, Roads, Civil Engineering Works, Electrical Engineering works, Mechanical Engineering Works, Building Construction, Water Reticulation & Water Treatment Plant, Support Services, Schools Water and Sanitation Construction Programs. Lastly, I also have experience in managing people(internal staff and consultants.