About Us

The Dusty Dreams Foundation operates with a clear purpose: to empower underserved communities, particularly focusing on tertiary students and their families

Mission

Our mission is multifaceted: we provide crucial financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they have the means to pursue higher education. But our support goes beyond mere financial aid. We offer personalized coaching and career guidance, equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate their academic and professional journeys successfully.

By addressing the financial barriers to education and providing tailored support, we aim to nurture the aspirations and hopes of these students.

We believe that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about unlocking potential and opening doors to opportunities previously thought unattainable.

Through our efforts, we strive to pave the way for a brighter future, not only for the students themselves but also for their families and communities.

At the heart of our organization lies the belief that every individual deserves the chance to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background or circumstances. By investing in these students, we invest in the future, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond the individual.

Together with our donors and supporters, we are shaping a world where opportunity is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and where every dream, no matter how dusty, has the chance to flourish.

Purpose Statement

Fuelling aspirations, nurturing hopes for underprivileged students, shaping brighter futures.

Our purpose is to empower underserved communities through targeted support for tertiary students and their families. We provide essential financial assistance, coupled with personalized coaching and career guidance, to unlock the potential of each student we serve. By investing in education, we’re not just changing lives; we’re shaping futures. Join us in making dreams a reality and driving impactful change in our communities.

Our Purpose & Values

Leadership

Directors

Founding Director

Thabo Mashaba

Thabo is a seasoned Human Resources practitioner and has spent more than 28 years in the financial services industry. Started his career as a graduate trainee in the Absa Group and performed various senior roles in both business and human resources functions. Did stints at the C-Suit as a Group Executive committee member in both Alexander Forbes and the Absa Group.

Thabo served on several boards as Board Member and Trustee. He has BCom, BCom (Hons), MBA and Global Executive Dev Prog. from SA Universities, Executive Master Consulting, Coaching for Change (Instead), Digital business Strategy (MIT) International Institutions, and he is a Harvard AMP205 Alumni.

Director

Naomi Thompson

Naomi Thompson is a Legal Innovation and Technology Strategist, renowned for her work in optimising legal operations through innovative strategies. Naomi is a results-driven and strategic-minded professional who has held several influential roles throughout her career, spanning over 20 years.

Naomi is a Harvard South Africa Fellow, published author, and global speaker, recognised for her contribution to legal innovation in Africa and named one of the Influential Women in Legal Tech by the International Legal Technology Association.

Naomi serves on several boards, she has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of KwaZulu Natal, a Master of Business Administration from Hult International Business School (Boston) and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Director

Tsholofelo Molefe

Tsholofelo Molefe is a qualified Chartered Accountant. She is currently the Group FD for MTN which is the largest mobile and network operator in Africa, operating in 19 markets including the Middle East. Prior to joining MTN Group, she was a C-Suit Executive at various companies including the Group CFO and the Group Chief and Compliance Officer of Telkom South Africa State Owned Company Limited, Finance Director and Group Executive for Customer Services Division of Eskom Holdings State Owned Company Limited

She also worked in Financial Services including First National Bank (FNB) – Personal Banking Segment as Chief Financial Officer. an Audit Manager at ABSA Bank Limited, an Assistant Audit Manager at Liberty Group after serving her audit and accounting articles at Coopers & Lybrand (now Price Waterhouse Coopers).

Tsholofelo has served on various Board Committees: Non-Executive Director of Curro Holdings Ltd, . Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS), Non-Executive Director of Trans Africa Projects (Pty) Ltd, Board member of the Eskom Foundation, Chairman of the Eskom Foundation Risk and Audit Committee.

Her education qualifications includes a BA Honors in Accounting and Finance, in the UK and CA SA designation. Harvard AMP 205 Alumni. Other achievements include, recognition as the 2009 Executive of the Year among the top 400 Executive Managers of Eskom, and a finalist on the 2014 Standard Bank Top Women Awards in the category of Top Female Public Sector Leader Award.

Director

Relebohile Malahleha

Relebohile is a Qualified Chartered Accountant with 27 years of experience in managing and operating businesses at Group, operations and in finance. She is currently a Group Executive: Strategic Finance for supporting all operations which include, Barloworld Ingrain, Barloworld equipment SnA, Equipment Mongolia, UK, SMD and NMI. She is a member of the Audit Review Committee of all these divisions and she attends Board meetings for all. She is also a Board member of NMI, the Car dealers ship business and SMD the Salvage Management and Disposal business.

Her expertise includes Financial Management (CFO), Strategy Formulation and preparation, Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Treasury management, Budgeting, Tax, Accounting Technical (IFRS), JSE Regulations, Investor relations, External Audit, systems implementation and process reengineering. She also worked on acquisitions and unbundling of various entities in SA and the UK.

Her previous roles includes various C-Suit role such as CFO and exco member of the AvisBudget group in Southern Africa which is a subsidiary of Barloworld.

She was previously a Partner at KPMG for 7.5 years, first in the technical department and later in the Accounting Advisory services, working in industries such as Technical, Public Sector, Motor Industry, Financial services, Education, FMCG and Telecoms experience from working with KPMG clients. She previously work in the National Treasury before joining KPMG, involved in delivering large accounting advisory projects, accounting solutions, IT systems implementation, Finance process advisory, Chart of accounts design, Audit readiness, Accounting (IFRS and IPSAS) conversions, Integrated reporting, GRAP, and SA GAAP.

Relebohile served and is still serving on various board and sub committees such as Barloworld Finance Committee, SMD Board member, NMI Board member, NMI Audit Comm Chair, Siyakhula Board Member, Group Exco, Audit Committee member of Barloworld Insurance, member of Audit Review committee/Board of Barloworld Equipment SnA, Ingrain, Mongolia, Eurasia and Middle east, Avisbudget subsidiaries. IRBA alternate Board member (NT rep), DMR Audit committee, IPSAS Board (NT representative), SAICA Public sector comm, KPMG operations Committee, SAICA Ethics Committee, AWHF Board member, AWHF Audit committee chair, IRBA EDCOM Chair, Avisbudget Board, Zeda board member, , Barloworld Logistics Board member.

Her qualifications includes BCOMPT, BACC (HONS), CERT Auditing, CA(SA), GIBS (Mastering strategy), AMP Havard Business School and is a professional member of South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, IRBA, ABASA, IoDSA.

Accountant / Tax Consultant

Ilan Rabinowitz

Ilan Rabinowitz is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience and has a Masters of Accountancy Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. Ilan has extensive experience in financial management and directorship roles within small and medium-sized enterprises.

Throughout his career, Ilan has provided invaluable financial advice and consultancy services, helping numerous individuals and businesses navigate complex financial landscapes. With a strong track record of delivering results, Ilan currently operates as an independent consultant, offering personalised financial solutions to individuals and businesses alike.