ABOUT
DataDrive2030 uses data tools and insights to drive greater access to better-quality early learning for young children in South Africa.
WHY
DATADRIVE2030?
Good quality early learning provision plays a major role in promoting healthy development in young children from all backgrounds, but particularly those from poor households.
The South African National Development Plan commits to high quality early childhood education for every single child in the country by 2030.
Urgent action is needed to translate this commitment into concrete change.
At DataDrive2030, we harness the power of data tools and insights to inform and amplify the actions that are most likely to achieve our 2030 goals.
The clock is ticking
2030 GOALS
To increase the % of young children in South Africa who thrive by fiveThis means that the child is on track in key areas of development by the age of 5 years, setting more children up for success.
HOW WE POSITION OURSELVES
We operate collaboratively in a dynamic ecosystem, and strive to make early childhood data accessible, understandable and actionable by all.
Our Team
Our highly experienced early learning specialists are responsible for the development and continued enhancement of our data tools. They work closely with respected local and international researchers and with early childhood development (ECD) practitioners who have a deep and grounded understanding of children’s realities.
Our project managers and data engineers provide field work and technical support to ensure that our data collection tools are able to be used by individuals and organisations with very different levels of expertise, and in a variety of challenging contexts.
Our training team is responsible for the coaching and accreditation of ELOM assessors, of which we have a growing cadre of over 200, able to administer the ELOM tools in all 11 official SA languages.
Sonja Giese
Sibongile Khumalo
Deputy Director
Sibongile is a social impact leader and systems thinker, with nearly 20 years of experience in education development. She is passionate about identifying and nurturing potential in others.
SIMONE CARTER
Finance Director
As a seasoned finance professional, Simone is solutions driven, with a consistently curious nature. She enjoys utilising her financial acumen to benefit others, and seeing how data creates greater opportunities and understanding.
Simone Beukes
Project Manager
Simone holds an MBA and has over 15 years of experience in the NPO sector, with a strong focus on operations and project management. Her strategic mindset and hands-on approach have contributed to the success of various initiatives.
Tawanda Madamombe
Tawanda is an avid data scientist and problem solver, with a background in business, Geographic Information Systems and demography.
Tyryn Carnegie
Data Analyst
Tyryn is interested in driving impactful insights and decision-making through data. He has worked with nonprofits and government agencies in the education and health sectors.
Elizabeth Girdwood
Senior Project Manager
Elizabeth holds a Masters degree, specialising in the Economics of Education. She has consulted extensively on costing and improvement of ECD services in South Africa.
Callum Hollywood
Data Lead
Callum has a particular interest in the ‘R’ statistical programming language and enjoys developing across the analytics pipeline to extract insight from data and bring it to life in a clear and meaningful way.
Dr Caylee Cook
Research Manager
Caylee is a passionate researcher and child health and development specialist committed to bridging the gap between academic research and practical implementation in early childhood education. She has extensive experience working in the South African context, with a particular focus on promoting equity and improving outcomes for young children across diverse communities.
Aimee Hare
Special Projects Lead
Aimee is a curious and compassionate applied economist who has a strong background in applied microeconomics research design, implementation, and evidence dissemination.
Cailyn Sonderup
Project Manager
Cailyn’s qualifications in positive psychology and occupational therapy combined with community experience inform her commitment to advancing early learning in our country.
Sobongile Moyo
Workforce Coordinator
Sobongile has a background in early childhood development and educational research. She enjoys addressing complex, multi-faceted problems.
Dr Jessica Horler
MEL Specialist
Jess holds a PhD in Programme Evaluation and is committed to supporting NGOs to use programme data to grow the effectiveness of the ECD sector.
Tahmeed Omar
Marketing & Communication Specialist
Tahmeed is qualified in advertising and integrated marketing communications, and has an appreciation for words and visuals coming together to form an impactful narrative. She is passionate about using storytelling to drive change.
JOSHUA ARENDSE
Junior Data Analyst
Joshua is a junior data analyst with a strong passion for artificial intelligence and advanced data solutions. With in-depth experience in R programming, he excels at transforming raw data into actionable insights through statistical analysis, data visualisation, and predictive
modelling.
RUMBI GOREDEMA GÖRGENS
User Engagement Lead
Rumbi is a results-driven operations and systems specialist with experience in nonprofit systems and project management. She is passionate about contributing to evidence-based interventions that drive social change.
LIEZL WORSHIP
Training Lead
Liezl has worked in the non-governmental and educational sectors for more than 20 years, in early childhood development. She holds a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, having
specialised in early childhood education and the role of occupational therapy in the non-governmental sector.
MOLLY MATLOTLO
Training Coordinator
Molly’s background is in language education. She has enjoyed training teachers and
developing materials in support of early literacy. She’s eager to explore ECD through big picture thinking and connecting the dots.
Tamzin WIlson
Operations & Office Coordinator
Tamzin is a passionate advocate for social change, driven by the belief that real transformation begins with small acts of kindness. As a committed networker and lifelong lover of all things community, she thrives on connecting people, ideas, and causes to build stronger, more inclusive systems of support.
Technical Associates
Andrew Dawes
Early learning specialist
Andrew is Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cape Town and a Research Associate with the Young Lives study at Oxford University.
Linda Biersteker
Early learning specialist
Linda is a developmental psychologist and educator and considered one of South Africa’s leading Early Childhood Development specialists.
ELOM TRAINERS
Pumla Mkhiva
Senior Trainer,
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Pearl Tom
Senior Trainer,
Gauteng
Inge Sonn
Senior Trainer,
Western Cape
Liezl Worship
Senior Trainer,
Western Cape
Marieta Visser
Senior Trainer,
Free State
Callan van Veen
Senior Trainer,
Western Cape
Mphokazi Malangeni
Assistant Trainer,
Western Cape
Papama Mateza
Assistant Trainer,
Western Cape
Ernestina Letsela
Assistant Trainer,
Free State
Miranda Rikhotso
Assistant Trainer,
Gauteng
Aletta Ngangani
Assistant Trainer,
Eastern Cape
Pamela Twala
Assistant Trainer,
Western Cape
Nosipho Gumede
Assistant Trainer,
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Nokhanyo Nkani
Assistant Trainer,
Eastern Cape
OUR BOARD
Réjane Woodroffe
Réjane Woodroffe is the Director and Co-Founder of the Bulungula Incubator (BI), where she has led award-winning, place-based rural development initiatives for over two decades. She is an economist and CFA charterholder with a Business Science degree from the University of Cape Town and a master’s in Development Economics from the University of Sussex. Réjane has served on numerous boards, including the Public Investment Corporation, the Government Employee Pension Fund, and Aeon Investment Management. Her leadership in both finance and development has earned her recognition as a Skoll Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Dr Siphiwe Dlamini
Dr Siphiwe Dlamini is a seasoned marketing professional and academic with expertise in strategic leadership, people management, business development, sales strategy, and data analysis. Passionate about education, he has spent several years in higher education, following six years in vocational education at Pearson as a Key Account Manager. He holds a PhD in Business Science from the University of the Witwatersrand and is currently a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the School of Management Studies, University of Cape Town. He previously served as Head of the School of Management Studies.
Dr Noxolo Gqada
Dr Noxolo Gqada is a medical doctor (MBChB) with an MBA from the UCT Graduate School of Business and an executive elective in Behavioural Science from the Yale School of Management. Her career spans clinical practice, co-founding a healthtech start-up, consulting, and currently leading strategy at DGMT. In her current role, she leads the strategy for the National Accelerator for Children and Teens — a nationwide initiative supported by the Presidency to improve outcomes for young people. Her work brings together civil society, the private sector, and government in a shared effort to drive systems-level change. Noxolo is passionate about applying systems thinking and behavioural insights to develop innovative, sustainable solutions in healthcare and social development.