Michael thema
@michaelthema
Community development and programme specialist driving data-informed, community-led STEM impact.
South AfricaWhat I'm looking for
I am a Community Development and Programme Specialist with 10+ years leading grassroots initiatives and multi-province education programmes, combining participatory ABCD approaches with strong governance and donor alignment. I have managed a R2.7M annual portfolio, achieved 100% donor compliance, passed multiple audits with zero findings, and scaled a STEM initiative reaching 4,620+ learners.
With hands-on experience in stakeholder mobilisation, capacity building, and data-driven reporting using Power BI and Python, I bridge community insight and technical delivery to foster long-term partnerships and equitable outcomes. I mentor volunteers and school leaders, design participatory curricula, and deploy practical analytics and cloud-based pipelines to strengthen programme transparency and impact.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Project Lead – STEM
Ikamva Lisezandleni Zethu
Sep 2020 - Present (5 years)
Directed province-wide STEM programme across four provinces, reaching 4,620+ learners and achieving 100% donor compliance while managing an R2.7M annual budget and passing multiple audits with zero findings.
Data Science Intern
Sand Technologies
Sep 2024 - Dec 2024 (3 months)
Built and deployed predictive ML models and maintained data pipelines using AWS, Docker and Airflow to improve applicant admissions decisioning and data quality.
Branch Manager
Ikamva Lisezandleni Zethu
Oct 2015 - Sep 2020 (4 years 11 months)
Managed branch operations serving 1,200+ learners, improved response resolution to 95%+ within 24 hours, led monitoring of learner outcomes and passed three consecutive audits with zero non-conformities.
Branch Assistant
Ikamva Lisezandleni Zethu
Jan 2013 - Sep 2015 (2 years 8 months)
Maintained learner and volunteer records, prepared reports and provided front-line support to enquiries to ensure smooth branch administrative operations.
Service Station Trainee
Caltex
May 2012 - Jan 2013 (8 months)
Handled customer relations, led daily briefings, managed inventory and produced performance reports to support station operations and service improvements.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
U(University of South Africa (UNISA)
Bachelor of Commerce, Financial Management
Enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management program (currently studying).
Explore AI Academy
Higher Certificate in Data Science, Data Science
2024 - 2024
Completed a Higher Certificate in Data Science focused on foundational AI and data science concepts.
ALX South Africa
Certificate in Data Analytics, Data Analytics
2023 - 2023
Completed a Data Analytics certificate covering data analysis techniques and tools.
TTTshwane University of Technology
National Diploma in Management, Management
2007 - 2010
Completed a National Diploma in Management with coursework in management principles and administrative practices.
Availability
Location
South AfricaAuthorized to work in
Social media
Job categories
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