OUR TEAM
Running an organisation like C.A.S.T. doesn’t just happen. Our team includes a group of highly competent and motivated individuals who’s prime objective is to see the peace and justice of God in the world.
We would love to meet you in person, but, until then, below is some information to help you get to know us. Contact us to get involved or become one of our valuable volunteers!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Debbie Austwick (Chairperson)
Terri Clapperton
Emmanual Zondi
Candace Davidson-Moolman
TRUSTEES
Pastor John Benn
Patricia Sibanyoni
Peter Clark
STAFF TEAM
Bongani Mkhize | Noodsberg & Chibini Community Facilitator
Bongani Mkhize was born in Matimatolo (meaning “wet dew” in SiSwati), a rural homeland close to Greytown in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province. He grew up attending a Lutheran church with strong values instilled in him from a young age. His family later moved to Noodsberg in 1991, and began attending Noodsberg Baptist Church. On 15 August 1992, Bongani gave his life to Jesus.
Bongani’s dream was to be a motor mechanic, but because he had not studied mathematics at school, did not meet the entry requirements, and instead, opted to learn woodwork at a Technical College in Lamontville, a township south of Durban.
By the time Bongani had qualified and completed his practical exams, his mother retired and the family suffered financial strains. He found employment in Esikhawini where he worked for 2 years until the factory was closed down. Bongani then decided to move back home and open a tuckshop to bring in a small income. His next goal was to save enough money to obtain a driver’s license, as it seemed a basic requirement for many of the jobs he was interested in.
In May 2002, Bongani passed his driver’s test and, by God’s grace, was immediately offered a job by the very driving school which had taught him. He worked as a driving instructor for 8 years and was regarded as one of the best in town. Bongani married his wife Zandile in 2006, and has three sons Ndumiso; Mcebisi and OweNkosi.
One Sunday in January 2012 at the Noodsberg Baptist Church service, Bongani heard about the opportunity to study theology and work through a learnership offered by CAST. He jumped at the chance and later found out that the course was to be done online – entirely new territory for Bongani, whom had never used a computer before. This left him feeling nervous, although excited, when he first began. Through the help of a colleague at CAST, he soon learnt the basics and was determined to improve his skills.
Oftentimes mistaken for being a “mfundisi” (pastor), Bongani is passionate about passing strong values on to the next generation as a Sunday School teacher for the youth in Noosdberg, an area where crime and substance-abuse have taken hold due to the lack of job opportunities.
Deb Austwick | Leadership
Deb was born in Johannesburg but has lived in Durban since she was one year old. She has three older brothers and two loving parent who have shaped her character massively.
Her grandparents started Westville Baptist Church in their home in Sherwood, and then moved it to Westville. Deb grew up there, and committed her heart to Jesus at the tender age of 4 and continued attending Sunday school and youth ministry. After completing her studies, she joined the church staff as a fulltime youth pastor in 2001. She has worked there ever since, serving in different roles including kids’ ministry, worship leading, youth and young adults co-ordinator, and next generation pastor. In recent years, she has shifted her focus to social transformation and missions, both local and further away. This led her to serve with CAST in a formal capacity since 2022.
She married Barry Austwick in 2007, and is a mother of 3 kids: Raylee, Judah and Eden. She loves Jesus and loves people, and loves most when the two come together. She is passionate about seeing His Kingdom come in our world; passionate about seeing HIS ways restored and practiced, and followers of Jesus making a difference in the world because of their love for Him. She loves Africa, loves travelling, loves adventure.
Godfrey Mokoena | Chesterville, Lamontville & Umbilo Community Facilitator
Born in Durban, Godfrey Mokoena grew up in the township of Chesterville and was raised by his maternal grandparents. He attended a technical school and aspired to be a lawyer, but God had other plans.
In 2006, while working as the first team basketball coach at a high school in Westville, Godfrey joined Home Ground Westville Baptist Church as an intern for youth ministry having met the leaders at a summer camp the previous year. As part of the one-year internship, Godfrey studied Theology with the Baptist College of South Africa.
After graduating, Godfrey moved back home and was once again exposed to influences which took him down a different path. Godfrey turned to his mentor for guidance who helped him get through this period and in 2008, connected Godfrey with an opportunity to take his ministry further overseas through discipleship training with a UK-based organisation. Getting his passport just in time, Godfrey remembers this as a “Godly moment.”
The year spent abroad amongst students and lecturers of different cultures, practicing his faith through outreach work in the communities enriched Godfrey’s worldview and taught him the importance of having a personal relationship with God.
Coming back home, Godfrey continued as a basketball coach and further applied his learnings through volunteering for the Durban YMCA where he had the opportunity to study gym management and fundraising in USA and returned to build a new gym in an area surrounded by gangsterism, drugs and violence. It was around this time that Godfrey began attending West City Fellowship in Chesterville where he felt inspired by the strong fellowship and servant-leadership.
“I always felt that God wanted me to do something in Chesterville,” he says. Godfrey began to answer this calling to take the Church into the community through WCF’s sports ministry.
In 2020, Godfrey joined the CAST Youth Development programme as the Sports Co-ordinator. However, due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities to reach the youth have been hindered and Godfrey now serves as the Community Facilitator for the areas of Chesterville and Lamontville to co-ordinate relief projects for families in need through the church.
In his spare time, Godfrey enjoys spending time with friends and giving back to his community with his peers through coaching the local boys’ soccer team.
Joseph Bode also commonly known as ‘Joe’ is originally from Nairobi, Kenya and spent nine years working in South Africa, first in Children’s Ministry at Westville Baptist Church, and then in Business Development at CAST. However, it was not long before Joe’s passion for children led him to head up CAST’s Education and Child Development Department for 4 years.
The vision of this department is to ensure the age-appropriate cognitive development of every child in CAST’s target communities. Since assuming his HOD position, Joe rolled out CAST’s Early Literacy Program (Kindergarten – Second Grade) in all 9 of CAST’s target communities and successfully established Vacation Bible School in all nine of CAST’s target communities, reaching over 1000 children in a vacation period.
Joseph is passionate about running youth groups, teaching young children and training and as a highly motivated individual, Joe has no problem rallying up volunteer support for his initiatives.
In addition to this, Joseph is working hard to complete a Postgraduate Honours Degree through the South African Theological Seminary. He believes whole-heartedly in the vision of mobilising the local church to effect lasting change in local communities.
At the close of 2017, Joe returned to his home country, and together with his wife Purity, has successfully launched CAST Kenya – the first East African branch located in Huruma, an economically disadvantaged slum. This community suffers from a severe lack of basic services, with low levels of literacy and high rates of unemployment. As of June 2018, CAST Kenya has successfully launched Local Economic Development, and Education and Child Development programmes, and by God’s guidance and the capable leadership of Joseph and Purity, is growing at exponential speed.
Make-Peace Msimango | KwaDabeka, Home Ground Church, & Savannah Park Community Facilitator
Makepeace, better known as ‘Peace’ Msimango grew up in the township of Mariannridge, West of Durban.
His dream was to become a Chartered Accountant and was motivated to pursue his studies and work overseas. With the help of a friend, he took the opportunity to emigrate to Ipswich, England where he remained for 4 years. During this time, he undertook many odd jobs and enrolled for a course in Accounting where he met his wife who is also from South Africa. They soon got married and were blessed with the birth of their first daughter. Peace looks back fondly on his experience of living in a different country as it “opened [his] world,” but always missed home.
In 2006, he and his wife made the decision to move back. He did not study further in accounting, and instead, took up a job for an international fishing company and learnt to weld. He worked in this position for 5 years before opening his own welding business making gates and burglar guards. He also completed a 2-year electrical course and began working for a construction company laying sidewalks and building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing subsidized by the government in the township of Claremont.
Peace then moved to KwaDabeka with his wife and 2 daughters and joined KwaDabeka Baptist Church in 2013. This helped him grow in his spiritual life and go beyond just attending Sunday services as he began serving in the leadership of the church. This is where he came to learn about CAST and, in 2017, was recommended by Pastor Sibusiso Ndlovu for the position as Community Co-ordinator.
In 2018, Peace began his first year at CAST. He is passionate about serving God in the best way that he can: as a father, husband and tool of God by reading and leading the Word. “When you commit yourself to God more” he says, “you understand things differently. It gives you strength in speaking the truth. I’m here for a short while – nothing I do can change God’s plan for my life. In God we trust.” His verse for the year comes from Luke 6:31 to “do unto others as you would have them do to you.”
Raheel Govender | Head Office Support
Raheel Govender was born in the coastal city of Durban, South Africa, and spent much of her early life and college years in the central part of town. At school, she excelled in sports and even earned Natal colours representing the KwaZulu-Natal province, nationally, for Athletics. Being committed to her passion for sport instilled a strong work ethic and self-discipline within her, and she also found it to be a good outlet for her personal difficulties.
It was around this time when Raheel’s health took a turn as she suffered from epilepsy and her frequent attacks led to her giving up sport. She pursued her other interests in beauty and nutrition and attained a diploma after completing high school. Raheel worked as a beautician for two years before taking a job at a prominent department store, where she quickly moved up the ranks to a supervisory position.
Spiritually, Raheel was brought up in the Islamic faith, and converted to Christianity when she got married. Ten years back, when attending an Anointing Service at her mother-in-law’s church in Port Elizabeth, she had a curious reception from the congregation as people began congratulating her.
At a visit to her doctor for the treatment of bronchitis, much to her surprise, Raheel discovered that she was pregnant. However, due to the strong medication taken for her epilepsy, the pregnancy was deemed high-risk with complications expected. Raheel prayed for a miracle, and was overjoyed to deliver a healthy baby boy. This, she feels, brought her closer to God and led her to strengthen her faith in praise and worship.
After running a crèche for 2 years and being actively involved in children’s ministry, Raheel joined CAST where spent a year training under the guidance of CAST staff as part of a learnership programme developing practical skills for youth to become leaders in CAST’s target communities, and subsequently took on the role of Community Facilitator for the township of Phoenix. She currently serves at CAST’s Head Office in Westville.
Raheel shares that working at CAST has boosted her inner confidence and pushed her out of her comfort zone.
Ralph Williams | Mariannridge, Edamini, Dassenhoek, & KwaNdengezi Community Facilitator
CAST Community Facilitator for the communities of Mariannridge and Edamini, Ralph Williams was born in the city of Cape Town. He was brought up by his grandparents and grew up in a home where the Gospel was preached on a daily basis. At the age of 13, he made a commitment to serve Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
Ralph joined the South African Navy at the age of 20 and served for 8 years. Being part of the Navy taught him how to overcome obstacles and how to deal with difficult situations. Following this, he worked as a conflict resolution officer for 9 years and had to use God’s Word at times to encourage those people involved in the conflicting situation. During his last year in the Navy, he lost his spiritual direction, but soon found his way back and served God in the capacity of youth overseer, playing in the worship band, and assisting the leadership of the church.
In December 2002, he married his wife, Renee, and they have 3 children together. Ralph is passionate about his relationship with the Holy Spirit, Christ and God the Father, his wife and children, and helping those in his community who have given up on life due to their circumstances.
Robert Dlamini | Alliance-building Strategic Lead
Robert is a man with a passion for Jesus and people, equipped with an excellent background in Sales and a pioneer in crossing traditional barriers which includes working in cross-denominational, multi-ethnic and multi-generational areas. He holds a good record in successfully planting, building and growing several churches. He loves to mentor and serves others through Pastoral care and Counselling ministry. He is a father figure, big brother and mentor to many.
Robert has a lovely wife, Khethiwe, married for 21 years and they are both blessed with 4 children
He recently joined the CAST Leadership team in 2025 as Alliance-building Strategic Lead.
Rolan Gulston | Media & Communications Officer
Rolan was born in Johannesburg on the eve of democracy in early 90s South Africa and grew up as a Catholic with her mother, older brother and maternal grandparents in Durban.
From an early age, she learnt the importance and value of education from her grandparents, both school principals and respected activists in the community of Sydenham.
It was this love of learning and teaching that led to her first involvement at CAST in 2013 as a voluntary literacy tutor for an after-school ‘homework club’ run at Addington Primary School while she was job-seeking after graduating with a Bachelor of Social Science Honours degree in Culture, Communication and Media studies.
Rolan was instantly moved by the state of affairs at the school – many of the children attending the class were from other African countries living in the inner city as refugees. Due to the high volume of enrolments and limited capacity of the school, many of these learners had been promoted to higher grades despite having little to no comprehension of English. As an intermediate French speaker, Rolan used this skill to assist the francophone learners.
Seeing the progress of the learners during that year, Rolan was keen to get involved with CAST again a few years later in 2015 by volunteering in the literacy programme and leading an after-school speech and drama club with fellow volunteers and CAST staff to help provide a safe space for the many talented children to express themselves and gain confidence as performers.
She was then referred to apply for an internship opportunity at CAST where she assisted with Operations, Finance, HR and Communications for 2 years, subsequently taking on her present role as Media & Communications Officer in 2018, creating and editing content for CAST’s publications and online platforms. Rolan loves learning and supporting the development of others, and enjoys connecting with people in the communities where CAST serves which has fuelled her passion for social justice.
Sandy Reid | Operations Manager
Sandy Reid joined CAST in January 2017 as Head of Department for Relief Services. She was responsible for food and clothing distribution, as well as advocating for nutritional health. She has since moved into the operations department at CAST.
Sandy is married to Steve and has two married sons and is a very proud Granny of 2 precious Grandchildren.
A highlight for Sandy working at CAST is each month facilitating retreat days for the staff to spend time in silence, to slow down and hear from Father God.
Sarah Montgomery | Development Practitioner
A development practitioner who has worked alongside the church in this capacity for the last 15 years or so. She is currently working with the Church Alliance for Social Transformation (CAST) guiding leaders and communities in practical theology.
In previous roles, Sarah has led a provincial Church COVID disaster response, facilitated reconciliation and racial justice processes, worked internationally to influence global players around economic justice, as well as learning from local farmers and micro businesses from Honduras to Sierra Leone to Myanmar about a pro-poor business environment.
She is a mum, a wife, a maker of a delicious beef chilli, a Sunday School teacher and a maker of fancy dress costumes. She loves Jesus and loves walking with others as they discover more of his upside-down, beautiful Kingdom.