Sibulele Mancayi
Summary
I am a youth, community and student development practitioner with over 10 years of experience in designing and implementing holistic development programmes within the non-profit, basic and higher education sectors. Over the years, I have been involved in and managed programmes that provide access to education for young people, promote social and economic change in communities through education and skills development. I have experience in facilitation, capacity development training, grant management, operational management, psychosocial support, financial management and executive report writing to demonstrate programme outcomes and impact.
Overview
7
7
years of post-secondary education
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
Primestars
I resigned due to a value and culture misalignment between myself and the company.
11.2025 - 04.2026
- Led and optimized organisation's day-to-day operations, ensuring efficient programme delivery, resource allocation, and oversight of risk and compliance matters.
- Coordinated inter-departmental efforts across finance, sales, project management, media, and IT to align operations with strategic objectives.
- Focused on cultivating operational excellence, governance, and continuous improvement to enhance organisational effectiveness.
- My role included improving internal systems, financial controls, and ensuring effective resource allocation.
- In addition, I managed stakeholder relationships with partners, clients and funders.
- I supported new business development activities, oversaw the contracting processes, and contributed to strategic reporting for executive leadership and the board.
- I focused on strengthening organisational capacity to scale the implementation of youth development initiatives.
- Contributed to development of sales proposals and executive reports for clients and funders, supporting strategic communication and engagement.
Senior Programme Manager
Grassroot Soccer
The organisation retrenched all senior management due to financial issues.
04.2024 - 11.2025
- In this role, I led the design and implementation of adolescent health programmes aligned with organisational objectives, ensuring impactful delivery through the integration of research, innovation, and evidence-based practices.
- I managed the full programme lifecycle, driving execution in line with established implementation frameworks and ensuring consistent quality and efficiency across projects.
- I managed a programme team of 40 staff members, as well as service providers, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and organisational standards.
- Coordinated capacity-building initiatives and led performance management processes, including regular supervision and evaluations for programme coordinators and facilitators, fostering team development.
- Strengthened Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems by developing tools to measure performance and impact, producing detailed progress and implementation reports for internal and external stakeholders.
- I also built and maintained strategic partnerships with government departments, community-based organisations, and key stakeholders to support programme reach and sustainability.
- Additionally, I identified and managed programme and organisational risks, ensuring resilience and continuity in delivery within dynamic and complex environments.
Personal Leadership Programme Officer
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
I was headhunted for a Senior management role.
09.2023 - 04.2024
- In this role, I provided holistic mentoring and coaching to a cohort of university students, supporting both their academic success and personal development.
- Monitored psychosocial and academic progress of beneficiaries, facilitating referrals to targeted support interventions to enhance overall student wellbeing.
- Established and maintained referral pathways between Foundation and university support services, ensuring students accessed necessary resources for wellbeing and academic success.
- I contributed to the design and continuous improvement of the Foundation's Fellowship Programme by contributing to the development of relevant materials and tools to enhance student engagement and outcomes.
- I also contributed to the recruitment and selection process, by assessing applications and conducting interviews with prospective beneficiaries to identify candidates aligned with programme criteria.
- Built and sustained relationships with key industry partners and institutional stakeholders, strengthening programme delivery and expanding opportunities for students.
Training and Partnerships Coordinator
Grassroot Soccer
I was on a short term contract.
03.2023 - 08.2023
- In this role, I led the development programmes of Coaches and Master Coaches (facilitators).
- I developed and executed annual coach development strategies, including identifying pathways for further education and employment for the Coaches and Master Coaches.
- Planned, coordinated, and facilitated training programmes for partner organisations, ensuring consistency and quality across all programme delivery.
- Designed and implemented capacity-building plans that supported personal, financial, and career growth.
- I also contributed to curriculum development by supporting the design, adaptation, and pre-testing of programme content to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
- I facilitated focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to ensure the continuous refinement of the programme curriculum.
- Supervised Coach Development team, overseeing performance management and providing mentorship to strengthen team effectiveness.
- Additionally, I provided programme and staff management support at the Alexandra Centre of Excellence, ensuring the seamless integration of training, Coach support visits, and other team development initiatives.
Post Secondary Programme Coordinator
Students for a Better Future
My family was relocating to Johannesburg.
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Coordinated post-secondary programme application process, ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all scholars.
- I actively conducted research on the future of work and integrated that data into the programme to better prepare students from a work readiness perspective.
- Facilitated transition of learners into tertiary education and workforce, enhancing their readiness for future opportunities.
- I facilitated access to on-campus resources and support structures through engaging university stakeholders and identifying the available referral pathways.
- Established and nurtured relationships with institutional departments to advocate for student support while managing programme data and reporting through Salesforce for effective tracking.
- My role included delivering individual and group interventions focused on psychosocial wellbeing, academic success, career development, and financial literacy.
- I also provided guidance and support to students who chose alternative pathways after Grade 12, ensuring continued support beyond traditional tertiary education.
Programme Officer
The Learning Trust
I wanted to transition back to Higher Education Student Support
01.2020 - 08.2021
- I worked closely with the national team to co-develop and refine organisational strategy, providing ongoing input to strengthen programme direction and impact.
- I built and maintained strong relationships with grantees, supporting their growth through tailored capacity-building and professional development initiatives.
- Coordinated implementation of operational plans, aligning with administrative processes while monitoring progress and producing performance reports.
- Built and maintained relationships with grantees, enhancing their growth through tailored capacity-building and professional development initiatives.
- Collaborated with national team to co-design regional capacity support interventions, ensuring programme design met local needs.
- I supported the administration of multi-year funding and implementation of capacity-building initiatives for organisations implementing After School Programmes in the Western Cape.
- Additionally, I supported the development of external communications to grantees and the broader After School sector, and contributed to the coordination of advocacy initiatives aimed at advancing the sector nationally.
Student Development Advisor
Rural Education Access Programme
My Family was relocating to Cape Town
11.2017 - 12.2019
- I supported students from rural backgrounds in successfully transitioning into higher education by providing structured academic and psychosocial support.
- My role focused on holistic student development, equipping beneficiaries with the tools to navigate both academic demands and personal challenges.
- Maintained accurate student records through regular consultations and data capture in online management system, facilitating effective tracking of student progress and support interventions.
- Managed student financial support by monitoring stipend and book allowance disbursements, ensuring timely access to resources for students.
- I also managed aspects of student financial support, including monitoring disbursements of stipends and book allowances.
- Built and maintained relationships with institutional staff and service providers to establish effective referral systems and advocate for student access to essential support services.
Residence Student Assistant- Assistant Residence Manager
Nelson Mandela University
This was a student role and I had completed my studies.
05.2015 - 10.2017
- In this role, I supported the Residence Manager in overseeing the operations of a 162-student senior male residence, ensuring a well-managed and supportive living environment.
- Handled key administrative functions, including admissions, student progress tracking, and monitoring compliance with institutional policies.
- Coordinated wellness, academic, and social programmes, overseeing planning, implementation, and evaluation to enhance student engagement and support.
- Acted as a key liaison between residence management, staff, and students, facilitating effective communication and responsiveness to student needs.
- Supervised student leadership structures, including mentors and house committees, and facilitated quarterly meetings to promote governance and accountability.
- I managed student discipline by mediating disputes and enforcing university procedures.
- Additionally, I represented the residence in Student Parliament, contributing to broader student governance and advocacy initiatives.
Education
Master of Arts - Sociology (Research)
Nelson Mandela University
South Africa 02.2016 - 11.2018
Bachelor of Arts - BA Honours Group Dynamics
Nelson Mandela University
South Africa 02.2015 - 11.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Nelson Mandela University
South Africa 02.2011 - 11.2014
Skills
Student Recruitment & Outreach
Higher Education Administration
Event Coordination
Stakeholder Engagement
Student Support & Advising
Digital Communications
Content Development
Public Presentations
Project Management
Data Management & Reporting
Facilitation & Training
Microsoft Office Suite
Timeline
Operations Manager
Primestars
11.2025 - 04.2026
Senior Programme Manager
Grassroot Soccer
04.2024 - 11.2025
Personal Leadership Programme Officer
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
09.2023 - 04.2024
Training and Partnerships Coordinator
Grassroot Soccer
03.2023 - 08.2023
Post Secondary Programme Coordinator
Students for a Better Future
09.2021 - 12.2022
Programme Officer
The Learning Trust
01.2020 - 08.2021
Student Development Advisor
Rural Education Access Programme
11.2017 - 12.2019
Master of Arts - Sociology (Research)
Nelson Mandela University
02.2016 - 11.2018
Residence Student Assistant- Assistant Residence Manager
Nelson Mandela University
05.2015 - 10.2017
Bachelor of Arts - BA Honours Group Dynamics
Nelson Mandela University
02.2015 - 11.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Nelson Mandela University
02.2011 - 11.2014