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
Candace Davidson-Moolman
TRUSTEES
Pastor John Benn
Patricia Sibanyoni
Peter Clark
STAFF TEAM
Ayanda Nxusani Masoka | Operations Strategic Lead
Ayanda Nxusani Masoka was born and raised in Cape Town, growing up first in Gugulethu – one of the city’s oldest townships – and later in Khayelitsha during her late primary school years. She was raised by a single mother whose belief in education, curiosity, and possibility played a formative role in shaping Ayanda’s outlook on life.
While church was not a central part of Ayanda’s early life beyond Easter and Christmas church services, something shifted when she was fourteen. She felt a personal desire to learn more about God and began seeking out a church on her own. At fourteen, Ayanda made the decision to follow Jesus at a church kwaLanga. This choice became a defining moment in her life and remains one she has never regretted. Looking back, it set her life on a path that she believes could only have been shaped and guided by Jesus.
Ayanda attended a Catholic girls’ high school before going on to study Politics and History at the University of Cape Town at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Her studies helped her make sense of history, power, and social systems, and strengthened her ability to think critically and engage across difference. She later completed a postgraduate certificate in Interfaith Dialogue at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace in the United States. This experience helped her bring together questions of faith and justice in practical, grounded ways, and deepened her skills in dialogue, cross‑cultural communication, and reconciliation.
Alongside her academic background, Ayanda brings a wide range of professional experience. She has worked as a project manager across contexts that include diversity, equity and inclusion, cross‑cultural communication, culture building, and programme coordination. She also has a background in communications and social media, supporting organisations to tell their stories with clarity and purpose. Ayanda is particularly interested in how good communication, strong relationships, and thoughtful systems can help teams and communities work well together.
Ayanda’s journey with CAST began when her family moved to KwaZulu‑Natal in 2023. KZN is where her husband is from, and the move offered an opportunity to connect more deeply with her in‑laws and become rooted in the province. It also sparked a growing curiosity about what God is doing in this city. Attending iBandla Malivuke became a significant moment, where she witnessed churches and organisations coming together across differences to partner, build relationships, and work towards positive impact in their communities. This experience affirmed her desire to be part of work that values collaboration, unity, and hope.
Outside of work, Ayanda is a wife and a mum who enjoys creating warm, welcoming spaces. She is an avid cook, an enthusiastic amateur baker, and enjoys listening to thought‑provoking podcasts—often while spending time in the kitchen.
Bongani Mkhize | 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 Team
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.
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.
Londiwe Mthethwa | Finance Officer
Londi was born in Durban at King Edward Hospital in 1992, the youngest of 2 daughters. She grew up attending Assemblies of God, and began visiting CAST’s partner, Home Ground Church in Westville, in 2017. This is where she first heard about CAST and answered the call for volunteers to facilitate at the Girls’ Camp and coach netball at Addington Primary School as part of CAST’s Sport & Youth Development programme run at the time.
Being raised by a mostly female-led extended family, Londi has developed a passion for working to uplift women and children. In 2019, she applied for the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme and joined CAST as an intern alongside 30 other young adults. Two years later, she returned to join the team as the Finance Officer.
Ralph Williams | Community Facilitator
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.
He connected with CAST in 2013 while volunteering with an NGO at the premises which became our Community Centre in Mariannridge, and soon joined the team as a facilitator for CAST programmes, offering a safe space and a lifeline for those in need.
He married his wife, Renee, in December 2002 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 | Leadership Team
Sibongiseni Robert Dlamini, affectionately known as “Mr. D”, is a passionate and visionary leader in the fields of ministry, community development, and strategic alliance-building. Born in the vibrant township of KwaMashu and later raised in Macambini, Mandini, Robert’s life has been deeply shaped by faith, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to serve people across generational and cultural divides.
After the early loss of his father in 1982, Robert was raised in a faith-filled environment under the Church of the Nazarene, where his spiritual journey began. At the age of 16, he made a personal decision to follow Jesus, later confirming his faith through water baptism in 1991.
Despite financial challenges following high school, Robert pursued education in office administration at Salisbury College in Durban after a detour from his initial dream of becoming a teacher. His professional career began in 1996 at Cheran Market and progressed to a notable tenure at Arch Chemicals. There, his talent and dedication saw him rise from merchandiser to the first black permanent Sales Representative in the company by 2007—a milestone he achieved with excellence during two consecutive probation periods.
Robert married his beloved wife in May 2004, and together they have been blessed with four children: Buhlebenkosi, Hlelokuhle, Hlalefo, and Kusaselihle. His role as a father extends beyond his own family, as he is widely regarded as a mentor, big brother, and father figure to many young people.
His ministry journey began in 2001, and since then he has played a pivotal role in planting, building, and nurturing several churches. His work has taken him on mission trips to Calgary, Canada, and Ghana, broadening his perspective on global and multicultural ministry. He was prophetically given a name “Ground breaker” (no fear to change the way things are done).
In June 2012, Robert began full-time ministry at Reconciliation Road Church—a diverse, cross-cultural congregation known for breaking traditional boundaries. He has since been recognized as a pioneer in cross-denominational, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational ministry. His leadership influence extends to board-level involvement with organisations such as Seed of Hope Community Development and the Pregnancy Resource Centre.
Between 2013 and 2014, he deepened his understanding of church planting by completing a two-year Church Planters Course with the Advance Network. Later, from 2020 to 2021, he also completed a two-year Biblical Counselling course with Jubilee Church.
Robert hates injustice, he loves to mentor and serves others through Pastoral care and Counselling ministry.
In late 2024, he was instrumental in planting His Will Family Church, further extending his commitment to community and spiritual transformation. Most recently, Robert joined CAST as part of the leadership team, where he serves as Alliance-Building Strategic Lead overseeing community facilitators and fostering collaborative networks.
Robert is also a sports enthusiast who enjoys CrossFit (he gave himself the adjective, “Rhino” Robert), he also follows South African football with passion and his favourite team being Kaizer Chiefs.
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 | Leadership Team
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.