Mark Tucker – Co-Founder and CEO
Mark Tucker has more than 30 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship. He began his career in information technology, holding various management positions in Standard Bank and Anglo American Corporation. He later established Buzzmark Holdings Ltd, a Canadian company that develops and operates Great Clips for Hair franchises in British Columbia and Alberta. Mark also served as Senior Pastor at Heritage Mountain Community Church, in British Columbia, which he helped establish. Mark was born in Canada and raised in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Mark co-founded Phakamani Foundation with his wife Shirley Tucker. Both Mark and Shirley serve on Phakamani's board.
Gabriel Rapatsa – Operations Manager
Gabriel Rapatsa came to Phakamani in 2009 with over 13 years of experience in the development microfinance field. He is also the son of a poor woman who herself took out a micro-loan, which gives him a special perspective on Phakamani’s work. Previously, Gabriel was employed by the Small Enterprise Foundation in Tzaneen where he occupied many different field and head office positions. At Phakamani, Gabriel leads field operations and development, including overseeing the opening of new branches. He also provides invaluable support to the CEO in many areas. Gabriel has a Senior Teachers Diploma from Limpopo Province, and a Micro-Enterprise Foundation and Development Certificate from the University of Limpopo. He has also completed several microfinance courses, including at the Coady International Institute, at St Francis Xavier University, in Nova Scotia, Canada.
William Chauke – Manager: Quality Assurance and Human Resources
William Chauke brings a diverse range of skills and project management experience to the Phakamani team. He manages Phakamani's staff training programs and conducts internal audits of branch operations. Prior to this position, William performed administration and finance duties for Phakamani. He has a Diploma in Education from Mkoba Teachers College in Zimbabwe and a Certificate in Ministerial Theology from Phumelala Bible College in South Africa. He also has a Certificate in Project Management from Maqhawe College in Zimbabwe, in association with TIPP consulting, as well as a Certificate of Participation: Start your Business Entrepreneurs Seminar. William is originally from Zimbabwe.
Asanda Qotyana – Manager: Administration
Asanda Qotyana joined Phakamani in 2011 with experience in financial and tax administration for small business and micro-enterprise lending. Prior to Phakamani, Asanda worked in financial and tax administration at BVK Tobias Chartered Accountants in Nelspruit. She also worked as a bookkeeper at the Nelspruit office of Women Development Business, a micro-finance organisation. Asanda has a BTech in Cost and Management Accounting from Durban University of Technology and a National Diploma in Accounting. She is currently studying at the University of South Africa for an Honours Bcomp (CTA). She is from Eastern Cape.
