ABOUT

Chris was born in 1960 in Limpopo Province and Matriculated from Mphaphuli High School in 1977. He then went straight into the corporate banking sector where he sharpened his knowledge in finance, banking, and deal-making.

Chris worked his way through the corporate world and worked for companies such as FNB, Old Mutual and the Limpopo Economic Development Agency. He has since become a successful entrepreneur in South Africa.

Chris holds a BCom Degree in Banking and a BCom Hons majoring in Business Strategy and Corporate Finance and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers in South Africa and a member of the Turnaround Management Association of South Africa.

Chris is a down-to-earth entrepreneur with a list of academic achievements in both economics and business strategy, including a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Thames Valley University (UK).

Chris believes in the values of hard work; personal ethos and that the future belongs to those who are willing to work for it. He leads the Ishango College Executive in his capacity as Chairperson.

Schalk was born in 1961 in Tshwane (Pretoria) and matriculated from Hendrik Verwoerd High School in Tshwane (Riviera).

After matriculating, he studied at Stellenbosch and Pretoria Universities respectively and completed his Masters’ degree in Business Management (MCom). He has been registered as a Professional Accountant (SA) at the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) since 1986.

Schalk was Financial Director of Urban Dynamics Holdings some years back, and is currently the Managing Director of ITA Services Group and Almira Business & Financial Management Services.

He is a registered professional accountant, tax and business consultant, and acts as director of several companies. Schalk has been consulting to businesses for approximately 31 years.

Schalk serves on the Ishango College executive as Managing Director and provides essential developmental, operational leadership and management to the team.

Schalk is passionate about new start-ups and the development of new ventures into successful business enterprises. His personal motto is to do onto others what you want to be done to you and also that behind every threat lies an opportunity.

Schalk has been married to Sandra for 39 years and they have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Mandla has more than 30 years working experience in both the public and private sector. His portfolio of executive experience includes, amongst others, financing, coaching, and mentoring, deal structuring and transaction advisory services.

Mandla is qualified in Finance, Corporate Governance, a has master’s Degrees in Business Leadership (MBL) and Project Management (PM).

He has been a director of the Ngululu Group since 2006 and held a full-time position at its transportand logistics subsidiary, Ngululu Bulk Carriers, holding the position of Executive Director – Resources, whilst simultaneously occupying a senior Director position at Ngululu Holdings.

Prior to joining Ngululu Group, Mandla held various executive positions including Manager for SME Development at SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency). He also held a position as the International Marketing Manager for Trade and Investment Limpopo looking after the European, North and South American markets to attract direct foreign investment to the region.

Mandla is passionate about business and is a firm believer that entrepreneurship is a key activity in combatting poverty and developing the economy to create a bright future for all.

Mandla serves as Director of Strategy and provides critical leadership, strategic development input and guidance to the Ishango executive team. 

Ilani was born in Tshwane (Pretoria) and matriculated from Strand High School in the Western Cape.

Ilani went on to obtain a BA Humanities and BPhil Document Analysis and Design degrees from Stellenbosch University and she is a qualified Document Designer with more than 6 years’ experience in the Education sector.

Ilani is currently providing essential administrative, developmental and support services to the Ishango executive. Her main role is to ensure all the marketing functions and design elements of the brand are streamlined and professionally presented on the Ishango website and all other educational material.

Ilani’s areas of expertise include graphic design, layout design (learning material, promotional material, infographics), E-learning instructional design, project coordination and resource management.

She is a firm believer of empowering and helping all individuals – young and old – to become who they are meant to be. This ties in with her personal belief that success is not measured against what you achieve but rather on who you become.

Ilani is happily married and mother to her three kids, and when they are not keeping her busy, she enjoys baking, dancing and spending time with friends and family.