melf advisory board
MELF is a registered Non-Profit Organisation and Public Benefits Organisation. Our current Board includes the following members:
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HUDA TAYOB
(CHAIRPERSON) Huda Tayob is the chairperson of MELF Board and a Senior Tutor at the Royal College of Art, London UK. She is an architect and architectural historian, and among other research interests, focuses on the transformation of higher education pedagogy and curriculum, including as co-curator of the open access curriculum Racespacearchitecture.org |
SHAMIEMAH JASSIEM, (SECRETARY)
The Secretary of the MELF Board, Shamiemah Jassiem became involved in the Montessori philosophy while completing her undergraduate degree. She completed her Montessori Pre-Primary Diploma before completing a Masters in Social Science (UCT) focused on religion and Montessori. She now works as a senior lecturer in the organisation and in 2012 was awarded the ABSA/ UNICEF Award for the Best ECD Trainer of the Year in South Africa. |
YOLANDA LUPONDO
TREASURER Yolanda Lupondo is the treasurer of MELF. She holds a Masters degree in Educational Psychology and has over 10 years experience working in underprivileged schools as a foundation phase literacy and numeracy educator, and school psychologist. Yolanda holds expertise in psychotherapy and counselling as well as the early identification and support of learners with special needs. She is currently the principal of the Siviwe School of Skills and was awarded the Excellence in Special Needs Leadership award in the 2022 National Teacher Awards. |
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HAWA TAYOB
MELF Director and founder, Hawa Tayob has over 10 years of Montessori teaching experience in toddler, Pre-Primary and Primary environments internationally (USA, Netherlands) and in South Africa, and over 25 years of Montessori training experience. Her qualifications include a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education (UNISA), a Masters degree in Educational Psychology (Stellenbosch) and a Montessori Diploma (AERCO Montessori, USA). |
BERENICE DANIELS
A Board member of MELF, Berenice Daniels is the Provincial Head of Specialised Learner Educational Support. As an Educational Psychologist, she has a special interest in promoting quality ECD in Cape Town and surrounding areas, which deepened after she worked at the Mitchell's Plain School Clinic and as the Chief Education Specialist for the Metro South Education District. |
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HAFIZA FAKIER
The Chairperson of the MELF Board, Hafiza Fakier is a business consultant who also has a Montessori Pre-Primary Diploma. She passionately promotes quality ECD in marginalised communities.
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NOKUTHULA SHABALALA
The Treasurer of the MELF Board, Nokuthula Shabalala is a member of the Humanities Faculty at UCT and supervises the clinical psychology students at the UCT Child Guidance Clinic. She was involved in the 2004 ECD audit undertaken throughout South Africa and has published widely on ECD and HIV/ AIDS.
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DR. THATO THALE
Dr Thato Thale is the current Chief of Staff for Vitality Group. She holds an MBChB from UCT, A Diploma in Anaesthesia and an Executive Masters in Business Administration. She is currently working for Discovery Health’s technology company based in Singapore where she is involved in globalizing Discovery’s Shared Value Insurance model. She is passionate about education advocacy for the historically disenfranchised. |
NAJMAH MALLICK
A Board member, Najmah Mallick is also CEO of Meezan Building Services. She has Diplomas in Sales Marketing Management and Business Management. Najma is passionate about the support and advancement of women in business. |