Buyiswa Xaba
LITERACY PROJECT LEAD & TRAINING COORDINATOR
Port Elizabeth
Summary
Experienced and results-driven Project Manager with a strong background in leading literacy and education programmes at district level. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision-making, training design, and team leadership. Proven ability to scale impact, embed accountability, and manage complex projects with efficiency and transparency.
With 5 years background in project leadership. Talented in coordinating internal resources for the flawless execution of detailed projects. Adept in monitoring performance by utilising appropriate tools and techniques.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Project Lead
Masinyusane Development Organisation
01.2023 - Current
- Lead the strategic planning and implementation of literacy initiatives, ensuring that programmes are tailored to meet the specific needs of 500 + youth in diverse geographical contexts.
- Provide guidance and leadership on high-level decisions that shape the direction of literacy initiatives, driving programme success and sustainability.
- Oversee and supervise a diverse team of mentors and youth placed in various geographical areas across Gqeberha and East London ensuring effective programme delivery and achieving key milestones.
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with school principals across two districts, ensuring seamless programme implementation, responsiveness to school-level challenges, and transparent sharing of assessment data (baseline, midline, endline) to demonstrate impact and foster long-term partnerships.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including educational institutions, funders, and community leaders, to ensure ongoing support for youth programmes.
- Designed and developed a comprehensive Training Guide for trainers, offering a structured, step-by-step methodology for effective facilitation and delivery of the Zazi iZandi literacy programme.
- Created a detailed Zazi iZandi Youth Guide, equipping facilitators with clear instructions for programme delivery, including learner assessment, session facilitation, and literacy-based games and activities.
- Fostered a data-driven culture across the team, ensuring decisions were informed by evidence and that measuring programme impact remained a top priority.
- Championed a cadence of accountability, introducing the use of Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) and engaging the entire team in collaboratively setting goals and lead measures—embedding accountability as a shared value rather than a punitive measure.
- Led the design and rollout of the programme’s M&E systems, including baseline, midline, and endline assessments. Developed easy-to-use tools, trained staff on data collection, and set up regular check-ins to review progress. Used the data to guide strategy, improve programme delivery, and show impact to schools and stakeholders. Utilised simple dashboards to track key results and learner progress in real time.
- Utilised project management tools such as Trello, Slack, and Lists to monitor team progress, define clear roles and responsibilities, track timelines, and promote transparency and accountability across all levels of implementation.
- Supervise and ensure quality assurance for the Zazi iZandi project, focusing on impact, outcomes, and continuous improvement.
- Lead the development and submission of high-quality, accurate monthly reports to funders and stakeholders, providing comprehensive updates on project progress, challenges, and successes.
- Compile quarterly Competency Development Reports, providing insights into programme effectiveness and individual youth growth, with recommendations for improvement.
- Train and coach trainers to implement Literacy Programmes effectively, ensuring programme consistency, quality, and scalability.
- Maintain and oversee the youth and children’s database, ensuring accuracy, security, and accessibility for reporting and decision-making.
- Contribute to high-level strategic decisions related to programme scaling, effectiveness, and resource allocation within the organisation.
- Coach and manage literacy initiatives, including strategic decision-making to drive programme impact and continuous improvement.
- Host annual strategic meetings with school principals and other key partners to ensure alignment of goals, programme needs, and expectations.
Lecturer
Eastcape Midlands College
05.2019 - 12.2021
- Delivered comprehensive lectures and facilitated engaging learning experiences in marketing-related studies for N4 to N6 students, ensuring high levels of student comprehension and academic success.
- Assessed and evaluated student portfolios, providing detailed feedback and ensuring alignment with course objectives and industry standards.
- Mentored students throughout their academic journey, offering personalized guidance and support to foster both academic and professional development.
- Student Recruitment & Engagement
- Led student recruitment efforts through targeted school visits, exhibitions, and marketing campaigns to attract prospective students from surrounding high schools.
- Engaged in tele sales and telemarketing activities, building a robust pipeline of leads and strengthening relationships with local high schools to promote the institution’s programmes.
- Developed and maintained regular contact with potential and current students, ensuring they received the necessary information and encouragement to succeed.
- Administrative Oversight & Confidential Information Management
- Administered and maintained confidential student records, ensuring the secure handling of personal information and compliance with data protection regulations.
- Accurately captured, managed, and processed student marks and academic data, ensuring timely submission of records and maintaining data integrity for internal reporting and compliance.
- Strategic Academic Support & Data Management
- Provided ongoing academic and personal guidance to students, fostering a supportive learning environment that encouraged academic success.
- Managed students' contact details and academic data, ensuring seamless communication and efficient record-keeping for student progress tracking and reporting.
Facilitator/Outreach Officer
MSC Business College
05.2016 - 04.2019
- Facilitated marketing and computer proficiency courses, ensuring that students received a high-quality education tailored to meet their specific learning needs.
- Provided regular teaching sessions, engaging students with practical, real-world applications of marketing and technology skills to enhance their academic and professional development.
- Successfully met and exceeded monthly and weekly targets by implementing proactive cold calling strategies to acquire new clients and expand the institution’s presence in new markets.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with existing clients, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and promoting continued partnerships.
- Enhanced program effectiveness by collaborating with colleagues to review and revise curriculum content regularly.
Receptionist/Administrator
Dr Vogel, Mitchell & Friggens Practice
05.2016 - 04.2019
- Managed diaries for three doctors, efficiently scheduling appointments and ensuring smooth daily operations.
- Provided secretarial and receptionist support, including typing correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and letters, completing tasks on the same day.
- Maintained registers for incoming and outgoing correspondence, followed up on outstanding matters, and handled daily photocopying and faxing.
- Organized practice meetings, managed logistics, and arranged travel and bookings for doctors.
- Maintained an up-to-date filing system and ensured timely follow-up on urgent emails, correspondence, and instructions.
- Screened telephone calls and walk-in patients, addressing inquiries and directing them as needed.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Business Administration – Marketing
Nelson Mandela University
01.2021
National Diploma - Marketing
Nelson Mandela University
01.2014
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Project Oversight & Quality Assurance
Project management
Team motivation
Resource allocation
Project planning
Client communications
Certification
Udemy 2024 Microsoft Excel: from Beginner to Advanced (Excel Macros, Pivot Tables and VBA)
References
Zama, Zulu
Managing Director at Masinyusane Development Organisation
+27 84 704 880 7
zamazulu@masinyusane.org
Ms Sesethu Stemele
Campus Manager at Eastcape Midlands College – Heath Park Campus
+27 67 107 655 6
sesethu@emcol.co.za
Mr Thobela Busani
Head of Department at MSC Business College
+27 74 909 076 6
busanithobela@gmail.com
Timeline
Project Lead
Masinyusane Development Organisation
01.2023 - Current
Lecturer
Eastcape Midlands College
05.2019 - 12.2021
Facilitator/Outreach Officer
MSC Business College
05.2016 - 04.2019
Receptionist/Administrator
Dr Vogel, Mitchell & Friggens Practice
05.2016 - 04.2019
National Diploma - Marketing
Nelson Mandela University
Advanced Diploma - Business Administration – Marketing
Nelson Mandela University
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