FIND OUT
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Who Is Mwana Mboka And Who Is Involved? Let Us Introduce Ourselves To You So We Can Get To Know Each Other More.
The current Mwana Mboka community includes 15 staff members, including 11 founding members who came together to seek dynamic solutions to the problems faced by Congolese Africans in South Africa. Our combined outlook seeks to create communities of African excellence that continue to pay it forward. Yes, it seems small right now, but the belief is that empowerment can begin that way. Small.
As the common African adage goes, the best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut it into little pieces. We do not expect, as a single entity, to solve all of Africa’s social issues in one go. We are content to not only tackle them one piece at a time, but through collaboration and partnerships, one community at a time.
We exist to empower African communities where they need it most. We strive to find solutions where they exist and we believe where minds meet, solutions are abundant – whether in organizing social activities to promote interaction or providing educational lessons to ensure future career growth. We look deep to find the solution.
Mwana Mboka is a Lingala phrase that loosely translates to ‘Child of the land’. Core to our belief is the ideology that as children of the land that are raised by our communities, it is our responsibility to take the initiative to uplift and develop our communities. We are all Mwana Mboka. We believe that by helping one another, we can continue to pay it forward as those who have been helped continue to help others.
Mwana Mboka has Congolese roots and so our journey has begun in the Congolese community. In time, we aim to become an organization that changes the lives of Africans from across the continent.
Mwana Mboka is a voice for actualizing the full potential in our communities. We believe we can combine the tools and resources of different stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the progression of Africans around the continent and the world.
We are solution driven and place our focus on sustainability and humanity. We want to speak to all youth, adults, women, men, students and working class individuals, donors and individuals who would like to donate their time, money or expertise.
What We Stand For
We Stand For The Sustainable Empowerment Of People From All Walks Of Life, In Multiple Communities, Through A Multitude Of Initiatives.
We stand for the progression of Africans, both individuals and communities living locally and in the diaspora. We stand for the unification of these greater communities, working together to introduce better ways of living, learning and working.
Lievin Mbuyamba
Chairman
Bcom (Honours) Investment Management, FRM. Currently working as a Portfolio Manager with a focus on Pan-African fixed income investment on the continent.
Lievin heads the leadership team of Mwana Mboka. He is responsible for operations and governance which entails managing the daily operations as well as tracking and monitoring progress across the organisation’s activities. In addition to managing and supporting the day to day running, Lievin is responsible for the foundation’s strategy and management of institutional governance which includes developing best practice operational procedures
Lievin believes that achieving extraordinary outcomes or overcoming extraordinary challenges requires us to put in extraordinary effort. As an individual this means having strong will, focus and discipline over a lifetime. As a community it means being unified, organised and committed to a common goal over generations.
Kevin Bukasa
Financial Director
Bcom (Honours) Financial Planning. Currently working as a Fixed Income product controller.
Kevin provides the financial direction for the foundation. His main role is managing the foundation’s financial affairs which involves drafting and maintaining annual and medium term financial plans; tracking and monitoring foundation accounts and cash flows which include donations, sponsorships and expenses.
Kevin joined the foundation because he wants to be involved in helping fellow African brothers and sisters succeed.
Dr. Charlene Makita
Fundraising Director
Analytical Chemist (PhD) and Entrepreneur.
Charlene runs our fundraising department, developing and leading the implementation of the overall fundraising strategy and initiatives.
She believes that leaving a legacy transcends money, structures and any other tangible item. We need to create movements that not only have a positive and influential impact in our communities, but also focus on the well-being of future generations to come.
Hamenedy Malebe
Projects Director
Bcom (Honours) Financial Planning, CIPM. Currently working as a Client Solutions Consultant with a focus on Advice, Trading & Investment management solutions in the financial technology sector.
Eric’s primary function is the management of the foundations projects and initiatives. He is the custodian of the project plans, where he tracks and monitors the progress and impact of said initiatives, ensuring they run according to plan and in keeping with the overall foundation strategic goals.
Eric is passionate about the African continent, and our potential to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Mwana Mboka is an opportunity to help create environments where African excellence can thrive. As a director, he’s driven by the need to leave a positive, long lasting legacy in our communities that will benefit generations of Africans to come.
John Kamono
Executive Director
National Diploma Information Technology, currently working as a Business Intelligence Developer in the medical sector.
National Diploma Information Technology, currently working as a Business Intelligence Developer in the medical sector.
In his role as Executive Director John’s responsibility is to provide the necessary guidance and support in the management of organisational affairs. His role is cross functional and reaches through all the portfolios and functional areas.
John truly believes that the challenges we face are opportunities waiting for solutions and therefore wants to be part of these solutions.
Axel Bukasa
Programme Executive: Information Technology
National Diploma in Electrical Engineering; Alumni of Umuzi Organisation, currently a Java technical facilitator.
In conjunction with Mudi, Axel develops, manages and implements our projects and initiatives regarding access to Information and Technology.
Axel believes in the positive effects of the domino effect. So much good can come from Africans, working together within their means as they help anyone they are able to. In turn those who have been helped are in a better position to also help others.
Herve Diese
Non-Executive Director
B.S Political Science and Public Policy
Herve provides guidance and support to the board across all functional areas, with a strong focus on fundraising.
Herve believes his purpose in life is to help others discover their purpose too, in order to continue the chain of giving others a reason for living. He believes we are past the stage where mankind awakes just to breathe but rises each day with intention and practical guidance to not only better their lives but to empower those who come after them.
Mudiswa Muteba
Programme Executive: Information Technology
NCIT Systems Development; Alumni of WethinkCode and Umuzi; Software Developer building web and mobile applications.
Together with Axel, Mudiswa develops, manages and implements our projects and initiatives regarding access to Information and Technology.
Mudiswa is passionate about technology and problem solving. Tech can be a great equalizer and enabler for growth. Mudiswa joined the organization because he believes that as Africans we have the ability to solve many of our own problems through innovation and group efforts.
Kevin Kifuka
Regional Director of Operations: DRC
Regional Director of Operations: DRC
Kevin manages our organizational affairs in the DRC. These operations are cross cutting and touch on operations, fundraising and project implementation.
Kevin joined Mwana Mboka fueled by a need for change in our communities, our countries and our continent. Kevin believes that it is the responsibility of young Africans to try to improve the conditions of our communities and pave a road to success for the younger generations to come.
Ruddy Ciamala
Executive: Strategic Partnerships
Master of Commerce (Finance and Investments), currently working as a Transaction Manager, with a focus on UK corporate lending and specialised finance.
Ruddy serves as the foundation’s liaison with strategic partners while also lending his experience and knowledge to work streams across multiple areas including marketing, operations, projects and initiatives.
Ruddy’s passion is to create opportunities for young Africans which will empower them and bridge the gap between the have and have-nots. His mission is to ensure that they have hope for their futures and the generations to follow. He believes that knowledge is a power made more effective when shared, and most powerful when collectively applied.
Youri Kasonga Mukuna
Executive Member
National diploma personal training, currently working as a personal trainer while running a business which sells training attire, eating plans and workout plans.
Youri provides support and assistance to the foundation’s operations, projects and initiatives through his participation in various organisational work streams.
Youri’s passion is realised through helping people to create a better version of themselves, changing their lives for the better. He strongly believes that by becoming healthy, individuals are able to complete tasks at their full potential. His personal motto is “You are who you say you are. I’m incredible.” Simply put- believe in yourself!
Mike Gautier Lamfel
Executive Member
Bcom (Economics) , Regulatory Exam Level 1 , Co-Founder and shareholder of Creed Entertainment, Self Employed Creative Entrepreneur.
Through his involvement and membership in the foundation’s broader leadership team, Mike assists Mwana Mboka’s operations, projects and initiatives as a source of general support.
Where others want to appear politically or economically attractive to enhance their legitimacy, Mike is unique in his approach in everything he does and the reasons why he does it. Mike sees his purpose is to spark something more colossal than his ego. He believes that the greatness , expansion and success of humanity on a micro and a macro level is imperative for us to reach greater heights as a species .
Sara Kapay
Consultant
Currently employed in the education sector with a BCom (Honors) in Management as well as completing my Masters in Governance and Management.
Sara contributes as a subject matter expert within Civil Society Organisations. She advises and assists the foundation’s leadership team in its development and growth across multiple areas including fundraising, governance, branding, marketing and foundation programmes.
Sara is currently passionate about sustainability, ethics, social justice and African governance. She is particularly interested in eco-sustainability in Africa and ways in which everyone can become more sustainable in their everyday lives.