Knowledge Co-op: Programme Manager
Roshan Sonday was appointed in September 2022 as programme manager for the UCT Knowledge Co-op. She has more than 15 years’ experience working in a higher education environment in support of strengthening academic research excellence. Her core values reflect a commitment and passion for community and human development to alleviate deep physical and mental poverty brought about by historical disadvantage that is still perpetuated in present day.
More recently, her work as a volunteer in a non-profit organisation has provided further insights and greater awareness of the challenges faced by local communities as well as community-based organisations who are working on the ground. As part of her own self-development, she is an accredited training provider for Tension and Trauma Release Exercise (TRE) therapy – a journey that has helped her become aware of her own traumas, and to be more compassionate of others.
Knowledge Co-op: Social Responsiveness Administrative Assistant
Thina Tladi is a Social Responsiveness Administrative Assistant at the Knowledge Co-op, passionate about socially impactful projects. With a background in the arts, she has collaborated with diverse communities to drive positive change.
A former recipient of UCT mentorship programmes for disadvantaged students, Thina continues to focus on social impact. She has served in peer mentorship initiatives, supporting Humanities Extended Degree Programme students and helping disadvantaged Grade 11 and 12 learners aspiring to study Humanities.
Currently, Thina is involved in a community initiative mentoring rural artists and providing platforms to showcase their work addressing social issues. She also offers administrative support and business orientation to beneficiary artists.
Thina believes in using knowledge as a public good to advance social justice.
Knowledge Co-op: Technical & Project Administrative Assistant
Kevin Shoba is a Technical and Project Administrative Assistant at the UCT Knowledge Co-op, joining the team in October 2025. He holds a BCom (Honours) in Information Systems and a BSc in Computer Science and Business Computing from the University of Cape Town, with a strong foundation in data analytics, project administration, and digital systems.
Kevin's relationship with the Knowledge Co-op began as a student, first through INF3011F in 2024 and later through the Honours Outreach and Community Involvement Programme (HOCIP) in 2025, where he led a project teaching digital literacy skills to disadvantaged high school learners in Khayelitsha. That experience deepened his conviction that technology and data, when made accessible, can be powerful tools for social change.
Now contributing from the inside, Kevin supports the Co-op's operational, project and data-related initiatives, bringing both technical expertise and a lived understanding of the Co-op's community-facing mission.
Knowledge Co-op: Media Specialist
Zayahn Abrahams, a recent graduate from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems, became actively involved with the Knowledge Co-Op in 2026 as part of the Honours Outreach and Community Involvement Programme.
In her role, she spearheads communication and digital engagement through creating an ecosystem and blueprint to facilitate the Co-Op’s LinkedIn profile. This includes creating a process flow to showcase the stories of successful community-student partnerships.
Driven by a lifelong passion for writing, Zayahn believes that storytelling is a catalyst for global change. She is dedicated to amplifying marginalised voices and driving social impact by crafting compelling narratives for the stories that matter most.
With a background in software development and web design, Zayahn hopes to bridge systems thinking with creative storytelling to foster a more connected, empathetic, and socially conscious digital landscape—one post at a time.
Knowledge Co-op: Web Specialist
Ntandoyesizwe Mlahleni is the Website Manager at the Knowledge Co-op, joining the team in February 2026. He is currently pursuing a BCom (Hons) in Information Systems at the University of Cape Town. As part of his Honours Outreach and Community Involvement Programme (HOCIP) project, Ntando contributes 30 hours of community service to the Co-op, combining his technical expertise with a passion for meaningful community engagement.
With a background in web and software development, Ntando excels at developing innovative web solutions that are both functional and impactful. He is particularly passionate about using technology to create meaningful digital experiences that drive innovation, strengthen community engagement, and provide practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Ntando is a football coach, music enthusiast, and dedicated gym-goer who embraces an active and well-rounded lifestyle. His passion for leadership, creativity, and innovation continues to shape his approach to both technology and community development.
NRF Study Team for Knowledge Co-op Pilot from 2010-2013
An interdisciplinary team, led by principal investigator Janice McMillan (CHED) and Evaluation expert Suki Goodman (Organisational Psychology), received a 3-year grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF) to evaluate the UCT Knowledge Co-op and inform the development of guidelines and procedures. Other team members were Judy Favish, Barbara Schmid, Sonwabo Ngcelwane of the IPD and Tanja Winkler (EBE).
During 2011 five pilot projects were selected as research sites and a comprehensive literature review was completed. During 2012 the collection of data from further project sites continued and analysis of data got underway; this was completed in 2013.
Outputs: Two reports were produced at the end of the project in 2013 - one internal and one for the public. A paper was presented at the Living Knowledge conference in Bonn during May 2012 and a poster at the GUNI Conference, Barcelona, May 2013. In 2016 an article was published in the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement. All outputs are available on the Resources page.
Modified: 12 May 2026