Who We Are

Meet our Board Members

The FEMEF Board of directors, as appointed by FEM, is composed of seven members who share a deep passion for education and systemic transformation. The directors of FEMEF bring diverse expertise and experience across various industries and are committed to providing strategic leadership, fiduciary oversight, accountability, ensuring the foundation’s mission is consistently upheld.

Ndivhuwo Manyonga

Board Director

Ndivhuwo Manyonga

Board Director

Ms Ndivhuwo Manyonga is a qualified actuary and a fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA). Ms Manyonga holds a BBusSc Hons in Actuarial Sciences and PGDip in Actuarial Science from the University of Cape Town. Her career spans 24 years in financial services focusing on insurance and employee benefits. She is a non-executive director on the following boards: the FEM Education Foundation (which she chairs), Sanlam , Assupol (which she chairs ) and General Reinsurance Africa Ltd. She is also a member of the Council of ASSA. She is the former CEO of The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM), having stepped down as CEO in May 2024.

Nazeer Hoosen

Board Director

Nazeer Hoosen

Board Director

Nazeer Hoosen is a seasoned expert within the financial services sphere. A strategic thinker with a passion for establishing and growing businesses, Nazeer has a proven track record of developing and managing effective financial solutions for numerous well-known brands. He possesses strong commercial and financial acumen, investment expertise; and a great understanding of mutual insurers and the regulatory landscape within the financial services environment. His academic background includes a Bachelor in Accounting Science degree and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).

Thys Spies

Board Director

Thys Spies

Board Director

Thys Spies is a qualified Chartered Accountant (SA) and Certified Director. Thys started his career in the UK at Marks & Spencer, and on his return, back to South Africa he joined Tiger Brands. As a seasoned insurance specialist, Thys has spent most of his career at Professional Provident Society (PPS) as Group Executive: Finance, as well as short stints with ABSA Short Term Insurance and Clientele Life. Thys was instrumental in the implementation of IFRS17 at both PPS and Clientele Life and is credited as a leader in the application of IFRS17 and Life Tax in the mutual insurance environment. As Chief Financial Officer and executive director, Thys is contributing to the achievement of the strategic objectives of FEM, as well as the FEM Educational Foundation.

Bev Johnson

Board Director

Bev Johnson

Board Director

Beverley Johnson is the Regional Manager for the Rhodes Trust in South Africa and the Rhodes Scholarships for Southern Africa Secretariat (NPC), a position she has held since 2019. She is an experienced educator, who has worked in the political arena, fundraising and advancement, and the education management sector for many years. In her current role, Bev facilitates the smooth running of all aspects of the national secretariat in Southern Africa. She manages the Rhodes Scholarships for Southern Africa and is engaged in scholar affairs, outreach and selection, fundraising and building donor relations, alumni relations and event planning, strategic planning and growing strategic partnerships in the constituency. Prior to joining the Rhodes Trust, Bev held a number of positions at St Stithians College for 23 years, including serving as the founding Director of the St Stithians Foundation and Deputy Head of Advancement for 8 years. Bev holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (History & Languages) and an HDipEd (PG) from the University of the Witwatersrand.

John Barrow

Board Director

John Barrow

Board Director

BSc Engineering BCom (UCT) John has served as Director for Barrow Construction from 1990, and President of GMBA from 1997, to date. He was Director of Gauteng Piling; a member of Bifsa executive committee; served on the Wits Engineering Board and was St. Stithian Council member as well as Chairman for St. Stithians Planning and Development.

Matthew IIsley

Board Director

Matthew IIsley

Board Director

Matthew is an admitted attorney and Senior Associate at Webber Wentzel specialising in public interest and pro bono litigation. He holds degrees from the University of Pretoria (BCom Law; LLB cum laude) and an LLM in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from the American University. Matthew joined the FEMEF Board in 2023 and possess a strong commitment to advancing systemic change and social justice in South Africa’s education sector.

Lorenzo Davids

Board Director

Lorenzo Davids

Board Director

Lorenzo is the Chief Executive Officer of Urban Issues Consulting, where he partners with businesses, donors, and civil society to build justice-oriented ecosystems that drive structural transformation. He also leads the Development Impact Fund and The Justice Fund, advancing constitutionally aligned outcomes rooted in principles of justice. Previously, Lorenzo served as CEO of Community Chest South Africa, overseeing national grant-making to more than 300 non-profits and bursaries for over 100 students. He is a founding board member of The Big Issue South Africa and Christel House South Africa, and currently serves as Acting Chairperson of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, on the Steering Committee of the UCT Bertha Centre for Social Innovation, and as a non-executive director of FEMEF. Internationally recognised for his thought leadership, Lorenzo has received awards including the Thinkers50 RADAR Award (2022) and Social Justice Champion of the Year (2022).

Meet our FEMEF team

The FEM Education Foundation’s operations are managed by a small core team, led by the Head of the Foundation and supported by a Social Development Programme Coordinator, who drive strategic objectives and programme delivery. They draw on the specialised expertise of FEM’s legal, marketing, and finance departments to ensure sustainable impact at scale.

Jenny Leclezio

Head of Foundation

Jenny Leclezio

Head of Foundation

Jenny has been involved in the social impact space for more than 20 years, with her first role as chairman of the AVI CSI committee in her capacity of Head of Transformation whilst in formal employment. She has a passion for education, serving on the St Peters College Council and has headed up the FEM Foundation since 2017. She currently holds the position of chairman of the board of the Kliptown Youth Program based in Soweto. Jenny's expertise extends to leadership development, facilitation, coaching and conflict resolution, all important aspects of social change and system transformation.

Thuli de Jenga

Social Development Programme Coordinator

Thuli de Jenga

Social Development Programme Coordinator

Thuli oversees and coordinates the foundation’s funded programmes, engaging with stakeholders to ensure each initiative aligns with strategic objectives and delivers meaningful impact. Before joining FEMEF, she worked as a Management Consultant at a Big 4 firm, specialising in People and Organisational Design strategy for leading institutions. With an academic background in Political Science and currently pursuing a Master’s in Sociology, Thuli is passionate about driving sustained transformation and development in South Africa’s public education system.