Our People
William Bird
DIRECTOR
William studied at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg where he obtained his BA and Honours degree in Drama and Film. He worked in television after completing his studies. Unable to resist the lure of media monitoring, William started with some part time monitoring for the Media Monitoring Project, now Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) in 1995 and after leaving television joined the MMA as a researcher. At MMA William has overseen or been directly involved in over 100 media monitoring projects on subjects ranging from gender based violence, HIV, and racism to children and the media. William has also completed overseeing the data analysis of the biggest civil society media monitoring exercise in the world – the Global Media Monitoring Project. For this project over 100 countries monitored gender around the world. William has also overseen the name change of the MMP to Media Monitoring Africa in 2008. William was appointed an Ashoka fellow in 2009 and also a Linc Fellow in 2010 for his work focused on children’s participation in the media. He is regularly accessed in the media on a range of media focused issues. In his twelve years as director of MMA William has helped MMA grow from a small 3 people driven organisation to a committed team of 16 people, with a clear vision and dedicated programme areas. William’s knowledge of media monitoring and commitment to deepening democracy in South Africa and the continent has ensured his expertise is internationally recognised In his spare time William likes to monitor the media when not otherwise distracted by his young sons.
Thandi Smith
HEAD OF PROGRAMMES
Thandi has worked for Media Monitoring Africa for about nine years and was recently appointed Head of Programmes for the organisation. She previously headed the Policy & Quality Programme which focuses on a range of issues including media policy, regulation, digital rights, internet governance, and quality journalism. She holds a Masters degree in Media Studies, obtained from the University of the Witswatersrand. Her dissertation examined issues of universal access in South Africa’s digital migration. She also obtained an Honours degree in Media Studies from the same institution. Thandi has a keen interest in research around new media, internet governance and media law.
George Kalu
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT - REGIONAL PROJECTS MANAGER
George Kalu was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and later moved to South Africa in 1994. He completed his high school education in Johannesburg and went on to study at Rhodes University. At Rhodes, he earned a BA Degree with majors in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics. He also graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the same institution.
George’s journey at Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) began in 2003 when he started as a seasonal Media Monitor. In 2004, he became a permanent project coordinator at MMA. His early work involved project implementation and coordination, focusing on media monitoring and research projects related to human rights topics such as elections, children’s participation in the media, gender analysis, race, and xenophobia analysis, as well as radio news coverage.
Around 2008, there was a need for someone to lead the Children’s Programme at MMA. George, who had a strong passion for children’s work from his involvement with a local church, took on this role. After some training and coaching, George became an expert on child participation and children’s rights in relation to the media. He trained children to monitor news and advocate for changes in how they were portrayed in media reports. He also provided training to journalists on how to engage with and listen to children during media interviews. Additionally, George conducted training sessions for practitioners from partner organizations in Uganda, Burundi, and Zambia on CRP and child participation in the context of media and children’s rights.
Nicky Mokoena
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
Nicky joined Media Monitoring Africa in November 2015 as Finance & Operations Manager. He studied for National Diploma in Accounting at former Wits Technikon and has over 10 years experience in the finance sector. He attended the Laser Leadership Academy for 3 years, to be trained as a great leader which he is hoping to become. He describes himself as a cool, calm & collected caring guy who grew up in a kasi called Daveyton maboneng. He likes reading the newspaper, watching TV news, movies & sports.
Nomshado Lubisi
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Nomshado obtained a degree in Communication Science and is currently furthering her postgraduate studies in Media Studies at the University of South Africa. She has experience in Marketing, Public Relations, social media, writing , strategy and Planning. At MMA, Nomshado is the Communications Manager, she is responsible for lead strategy and implementation of communications. Nomshado has interests in Digital media, Strategic Communications, Gender and Media Research. She is a proud South African who can speak over four official languages. She describes herself as outgoing, fun and a lady who loves anything African. She is an unapologetic avid reader and enjoys traveling, exercising and blogging.
Baatile Mohale
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Kgothatso, who is affectionately known as Baatile first joined MMA as a Media Monitor back in 2015 to 2016. She couldn’t stay away from the awesomeness that is MMA and has since come back as a Project Administrator in 2018 and a Communications Coordinator in 2019. Baatile has obtained a Diploma in Journalism and a Certificate in Social Media. She loves going to Church, Traveling and hanging out with her family and friends. In her spare time, she is a Photographer, a Blogger and plays the Violin.
Azola Dayile
PROGRAMME MANAGER: ADVOCACY, LITIGATION AND LOBBYING
Azola is a writer and social activist from KwaZakhele, Port Elizabeth. He obtained a National Diploma in Journalism and further pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media, Communications and Culture at the Nelson Mandela University. Besides being a nerdy news -junkie, Azola also enjoys conversations around literature, philosophy, politics and the post-94 media & journalism landscape in South Africa. He is also a contributing author to the book “We Are No Longer At Ease”, a collection of essays, poems and reflections by Fees Must Fall activists and allies, edited by Busani and Wandile Ngcaweni. His interests include news/media production, strategic communication, social activism, public policy and governance, community and youth development as well as education for social change.
Ntsako Manganyi
PROGRAMME MANAGER: COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENGAGEMENT
Ntsako holds a BA Degree in International Relations and Political Sciences from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is passionate about media policy and regulation. He first joined media monitoring Africa in 2011 as media monitor. Since then, he has worked as a Media Monitor on different projects. He then joined MMA Policy Unit on full time basis as a research in 2016 where he focuses on media policy and regulation. Ntsako is currently a committee member of the South African Internet Governance Forum. He has interests in media diversity, human rights, gender, new media, current affairs and South African politics. He is interested South African history book and a loyal fan of South African national sports teams of rugby, soccer and cricket.
Lister Namumba-Rikhotso
PROGRAMME MANAGER: MONITORING RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Lister is an experienced project management coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the children’s rights advocacy, research, media and communication fields. She is also skilled in social media, community outreach and development, capacity building, marketing and fundraising. Lister has been championing children’s rights and best practices in the media for over 10 years. She believes how the media portrays children in their reporting has a direct influence on how society will begin to view and treat them. Lister has a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management from Cavendish University in Zambia. She was born and raised in Zambia and relocated to South Africa in 2014. In her spare time, Lister enjoys writing and reading. Some of her stories are enjoying a great readership on social media.
Phakamile Khumalo
PROGRAMME MANAGER: PUBLIC AND MEDIA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Phakamile joined Media Monitoring Africa in July 2016 as the Web Rangers coordinator and is experienced in Media monitoring & analysis, customer service, project coordination and facilitation. She describes herself as a loud, fun-loving ‘Kasi girl’ with a passion for youth development. She joins the team with the hopes of contributing to African youth development plans that will see her serving her community and Africa at large. In 2019 she was listed as the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans in the civil society category. She strongly believes and is committed to the kind of development that empowers communities to be at the forefront of their own growth. Phakamile has a Honors degree in Development Studies from Wits University as well as a post-graduate certificate in Public Policy & Analysis for Africa’s Development from the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute.
Msizi Mzolo
PROJECT COORDINATOR- POLICY PROGRAMME
Msizi holds a certificate in Public Relations from Unisa and obtained a Diploma in Public Relations Management at the same institution. He has experience in data capturing, monitoring media coverage on children, national and local elections. Msizi has supervised and quality checked media monitors in Zambia and Lesotho during their general elections. At MMA, he is responsible for overseeing data collection, monitoring and quality checking of all data captured on Dexter (our monitoring tool). Msizi also loves art, reading, soccer and listening to reggae music.
Jacques Ndong
PROJECT COORDINATOR- POLICY PROGRAMME
Jacques holds a bachelors degree in Business Administration and a Diploma in marketing management. Jacques is also a social activist and involved in different issues involving human rights and social justice in Africa. He is part of the African Diaspora and he is able to speak Spanish, English and French. His role includes conducting elections monitoring, various pieces of research and analysis, parliament submissions and supervising elections monitors. He is responsible of quality control of database and writes media monitoring reports. Jacques is passionate about Africa and its media landscape. He is interested in sport, loves park run and tennis.
Musa Rikhotso
PROJECT COORDINATOR – CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME
Musa obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Sociology from University of Witwatersrand (Wits). He started working at Media Monitoring Africa in 2008. Since then, he has worked as a Media Monitor on different projects. He is currently working as the Children’s Project Coordinator. His roles in this position include training and supervising Media Monitors and Data Capturers. He also does quality control of monitored and captured work, database management and writes media monitoring reports. Musa is interested in books and is an avid local soccer supporter but occasional follows other sporting activities.
Ntombifuthi Kubeka
Project Coordinator for research and analysis
Ntombifuthi holds a BA honours degree in Media studies and Psychology from University of Witwatersrand (WITS).
She has 10 years’ experience in Media monitoring, Social listening, research, Analysis and Report writing.
Ntombi joins MMA to fulfil her interest in protecting children’s rights and advocating for women’s rights.
Her current role at MMA is Project Coordinator for research and analysis.
Her interests include reading, writing, and discovering new artists.
She believes in freedom of expression and self care Sundays.
Nthabiseng Mahlangu
Project Administrator
Nthabiseng has a diploma in office computing obtained at falcon business institute and End-User certificate from PC training college. She has 8 years working experience as a production assistant/administrator in the media industry and has also worked at a local library as a Facilitator/Administrator for 2 years assisting children with homework and literature. She is a self motivated person with analytical problem solving skills, she is a firm believer in education and hard work.
She is very passionate and enjoys working with people.
Tumelo Hlaka
Children’s Project Officer – Public & Media Skills Development Unit
Tumelo is a BA Journalism graduate from the University of Johannesburg who further obtained a higher learning certificate in Strategic Brand Management at the AAA School of Advertising. He has career experience in Publicity Management, Marketing and Project Coordination. Tumelo’s affection and enthusiasm for young people and their rights saw him recently join the MMA team as a Children’s Project Officer, where he provides administrative support on various child focused initiatives. He is an avid literature junkie, a music aficionado, and an all-round sports fanatic who also takes a keen interest in current affairs throughout the world. In his spare time, he manages a YouTube channel called the Kasi Improvement Project a platform that champions township economic development issues.