A blend of youth, experience and passion
2017 heralds a new chapter for the Cape SA Board of Deputies, as a dynamic new professional staff assume duties and responsibilities at its Cape Town headquarters. With a diverse set of experiences, interests and perspectives, the team guided by director Josh Hovsha plans to move forward and build an ecosystem to promote the board’s agenda within the Cape Jewish community and greater South Africa.
Hovsha says, “Our formidable team brings a wealth of experience to the board. There is now a great balance of youth and experience across the professional staff complement, and although a small team, we plan to do great things!” he continues, “We have realised that by developing our team, we can now strengthen the boards strategic direction and future endeavours. We are a team of people that lives and breathes what they do. We are incredibly fortunate.”
Using modern principles yet paying attention to traditional roots, the new team plans to create outcomes-based, experience-centric events and platforms to encourage greater engagement within the Jewish community, to benefit its members as well as fellow South Africans.
Meet The Team
Josh Hovsha
Executive Director
Authentic and Passionate. Executive Director. Josh is dedicated to promoting democracy through representing the Jewish community and takes the lead in and empower communities to be active citizens in the country.
Background: Community Leader. Legal Analyst and Strategist. Social Activist. Josh holds Masters Degrees from Wits University in Political Studies (MA Cum Laude) and in international Law (LL.M.) at Trinity College Dublin. Recipient of the Kader Asmal Human Rights Fellowship.
Gwynne Robins
Deputy Director
Indispensable and erudite. Gwynne is an expert on the Jews of South Africa and Cape history, she is a fountain of knowledge that keeps us informed.
Background: Social Worker. Prolific writer. Editor. Recipient of the Eric Samson-Mendel Kaplan Communal Service Award for outstanding service.
Liza-Jane Saban
Head of Communications
Multi-faceted Marketing Strategist. Liza is a communicator and amplifier who will connect us with the Jewish community and greater South Africa in a meaningful way.
Background: Marketing and Communications Director. Ex-Teacher. Recognised by the South African advertising industry for excellence with a Gold Loerie and Silver Bookmark Award in 2014.
Philadelphia Makwakwa
Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator
Multi-lingual Human Rights Advocate and Campaigner. Philadelphia is a facilitator who will help us build reciprocal and beneficial relationships between the Board, government, local communities and institutions.
Background: Lobbyist. Activist. Communications Expert. Fundraiser. Active pursuer of social, gender and political equality in South Africa.
Jodi Goldberg
Executive Officer
Super-efficient and highly resourceful Executive Assistant. Jodi is the glue that binds us and makes things magically happen.
Background: Professional PA. Events co-ordinator and planner. Jodi is an active member of the Cape Town Jewish community as a volunteer for EZRA.
