Our Talent

Gladwyn Leeuw is the Chief Executive Officer of E Squared Investments and leads firm strategy, investment execution, and impact across the organisation’s portfolios. Prior to his appointment as CEO in September 2023, Gladwyn served as E Squared’s Chief Investment Officer. Earlier in his career, he was a General Partner at a venture capital firm, led post‑investment management, and held senior leadership roles at enterprise and supplier development arm of a global mining company, and on the senior executive team at a leading South African Business Process Outsourcing company. An entrepreneur and educator, he has lectured at Wits and founded a peer‑to‑peer lending fintech alongside an independent business consultancy. Gladwyn holds a Master of Management in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, a PGDip in Management (Business Administration), and a BA in Economic Studies and International Relations from Wits.

Pyi leads the investment function at E Squared, formulating and executing the investment strategy of the organisation. His professional background includes leadership roles in venture capital, private equity, and structured finance, giving him a broad perspective on high-growth businesses. Pyi holds an MBA from UCT. Away from work, he values quality time with family and friends.

With a background in engineering and experience as an investment committee member and entrepreneur. Tshilidzi brings a holistic perspective to supporting high-growth, sustainable businesses. She has managed post-investment start-ups and provided strategic direction as a board member to drive successful investments and profitable exits. She is a CFA Charterholder and holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Wits.

Ofentse formulates and executes the operational strategy for E Squared, covering finance, governance, treasury, and portfolio valuations. He has been instrumental in developing scalable processes to support the organisation’s growth. He is a CA(SA). Ofentse believes that his role at E Squared contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty in South Africa. Within his own family, he has witnessed the difference education and employment opportunities make in transforming future generations.

Audrey leads stakeholder engagement, marketing, and communications, shaping the organisation’s narrative, building strong relationships, and ensuring alignment between brand, mission, and impact. She has more than 15 years’ experience in stakeholder relations, event management, and publicity, with a strong focus on organisations with a social impact mandate. She is passionate about the development of entrepreneurs, with particular enthusiasm for helping businesses define their identity and develop their unique selling proposition.

Verna is responsible for people and culture across the organisation. She has previous experience in parastatals, financial services, hospitality, gambling, and leisure. She holds an Executive MBA in HR from Eaton Business School and a legal degree from Wits. She has also completed leadership development, advanced HR management, and financial management programmes through UCT and GIBS. Verna enjoys attending music and classical concerts and deeply appreciates the creative talents of those in the arts and culture space.

Nicky drives the execution of E Squared’s strategy through project implementation, operational planning, and the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of initiatives against key targets. After qualifying as a CA(SA), she gained international experience in the US and UK before spending more than eight years in strategy formulation and implementation consulting across diverse sectors. She is passionate about enabling teams through creating clarity and structure in strategy planning and execution efforts. Outside of work, she enjoys being outdoors and active, including walks with her dog.

Tazmin forms an integral part of the CEO’s Office by coordinating the diaries of the CEO and executive team. She also assists the staff cohort with various coordination needs and support on an ad hoc basis. She brings experience in publishing, marketing, and brand development and management and holds a BA (Hons) in Publishing Studies from Wits. Tazmin describes herself as an avid reader and someone who enjoys learning about people and various cultures through travel and cuisine.

Xabiso, an Allan Gray Scholarship alumna, provides post-investment administrative support, drawing on experience as a literacy specialist, regional representative, and university tutor. She holds a BSocSci in Politics, International Relations, and Psychology from Rhodes University. She is driven by her passion for people and places, a humanitarian by nature on a journey to recreate a more compassionate world.

Thato leads transaction appraisals and deal evaluations for early- and growth-stage ventures, focusing on high-impact opportunities and rigorous due diligence. He manages the full transaction lifecycle from pipeline development to post-investment monitoring, and supports portfolio growth through active engagement and strategic, impact-aligned guidance. Before joining E Squared, he managed impact investments for a black-owned investment firm, establishing its mandate and growing the portfolio of seed to late stage venture capital to over R500 million in assets. He is a CA(SA) and holds a PGDip in Accounting from UCT. In his spare time, Thato enjoys playing tennis, movies and spending quality time with his family.

Yasthira leads investment evaluations across early- and growth-stage ventures, driving due diligence and deal structuring. She manages transactions end-to-end, from pipeline development to Investment Committee presentation, and supports portfolio growth through active engagement and strategic guidance. She has previous experience in investment and advisory roles. She holds an MBA from IE University. She is passionate about discovering new cultures through food and travel, and cherishes quality time with family.

Zakiya leads investment evaluations for early- and growth-stage social enterprises, managing the full transaction lifecycle from pipeline development to Investment Committee presentation and post-investment monitoring, and supports portfolio growth through active engagement and strategic, impact-aligned guidance. She has previous experience in private equity, development finance, and professional services. She is a CA(SA) and holds a BCom (Hons) in Accounting from UWC. She is passionate about travelling and exploring new cultures, people, and food. She also enjoys reading, music, and water activities.

Khethiwe Nkuna currently serves as Head of the Social Entrepreneurship Portfolio at E Squared Investments, where she leads work focused on strengthening social enterprises and advancing sustainable, inclusive economic participation.

She has over two decades of experience across leadership, transformation, responsible business, social impact, and human-centred organisational development.

Through her leadership, Khethiwe creates spaces for courageous and honest conversations that inspire personal, organisational, and collective transformation.

Post Investment Value Creation – Head of Portfolio: Seed and Growth 

As Head of the Seed and Growth Portfolio, Kgosi leads the Value Creation team, where the focus is on ensuring that E Squared’s post-investment support meets the unique needs of its portfolio companies. He is deeply passionate about fostering innovation and addressing real-world challenges through venture capital. A core part of his mission is to help grow South Africa’s venture ecosystem, ensuring talented founders have access to the capital and guidance they need to succeed. His career spans listed and unlisted investing, with experience in investment management, deal execution, asset management, and research. He holds an MSc in Finance from Bentley University (US) and a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Manchester Metropolitan University. Outside of work, Kgosi enjoys sport, literature, and gaming.

Tumisho leads the Pre-Seed investment strategy and venture building team, driving value creation, capital deployment, and post-investment management across early-stage ventures. She plays a key role in de-risking start-ups at a critical early stage, shaping a pipeline of scalable and sustainable businesses. Tumisho has deep experience in business incubation, acceleration, and ESD. She holds an MBA (GIBS). She believes that big things often start small, just as a seed grows in the right conditions. Apart from work, Tumisho enjoys reading, being outdoors, watching movies and spending time with family.

Sive is E Squared’s Legal Investment Manager, where he supports the structuring and execution of investment transactions and provides legal insight across the investment lifecycle. He holds an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand and brings experience in corporate, commercial and project finance law, having advised on legal due diligence, acquisitions, joint ventures, financing transactions and broader commercial matters across a range of sectors.

Daniel is responsible for financial modelling, valuations, due diligence, and deal structuring across industries, including preparing investment cases for the Investment Committee and serving as an observer at board meetings. He has previous experience in private equity, debt and equity funding.. Daniel is a qualified Advanced Financial Modeller (AFM) and holds a BCom (Hons) in Finance from UJ. Daniel is passionate about finding solutions to African challenges.

Brett focuses on sourcing investment opportunities, conducting investment analysis and due diligence, structuring transactions and serving as an observer at board meetings. Prior to joining E Squared, he spent three years in the Deals team of a leading global professional-services firm, advising private equity firms and corporates on acquisitions, disposals, and strategic transactions. Brett is a CA(SA), a CFA charterholder and holds a Business Science degree specialising in Finance and Accounting and PGDip in Accounting from UCT. Outside of work, he enjoys surfing, reading, playing the guitar, and spending time outdoors.

Ra’ees focuses on sourcing and evaluating social enterprise investments, conducting due diligence, preparing investment memorandums, and presenting opportunities to the Investment Committee. He has previous experience in operations, HR, R&D, and retail sales. He holds an FMVA (Financial Modelling & Valuation Analyst) designation and a PGDip in Business Administration from GIBS. He is passionate about reading, fitness, football, and the ocean.

Yazini supports the investment team with sourcing and assessing transactions, research, and preparing screening notes and memorandums. She is currently completing an MCom in Finance and holds a BBusSci in Finance with Accounting (UCT). Curious and adventurous by nature, she is passionate about exploration, holistic healing, exercise, and always open to trying new things.

Peter manages post-investment value creation, supporting portfolio companies with strategy development, market expansion, operational efficiency, and governance. He brings over 15 years’ experience across venture capital, strategic advisory, and entrepreneurship, including founding and scaling start-ups. He holds a PGDip in Management (Business Administration) from Wits Business School. He is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to build scalable, impactful ventures, and enjoys working with bold ideas and ambitious founders to unlock growth.

Russell Mark Julius is a South African investment professional and entrepreneur. He works at the intersection of venture capital, fund management, and post-investment value creation, supporting early- and growth-stage businesses with strategy execution, governance, capital allocation, and operational scaling. He is also the founder of multiple ventures and SMEs, bringing an operator’s perspective to his work with portfolio companies and a practical understanding of the realities founders face.  Russell is committed to advancing sustainable investment into the real economy to drive long-term growth and inclusive development in South Africa and across the African continent.

Tshepiso Mashinini is a development and impact investment professional operating at the intersection of research, evidence, strategy and enterprise sustainability in emerging markets. As a Post-Investment Value Creation Analyst in E Squared’s Social Entrepreneurship portfolio, she supports social enterprises that are developing practical solutions to unemployment and economic exclusion among South African youth; helping them strengthen their programmes, measure the difference they make, and build financially resilient models capable of creating meaningful economic opportunity at scale.
   
Tshepiso holds a Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Development Studies, awarded with first-class honours, and a Bachelor of Social Science in Politics and Public Governance and English Language and Literature, both from the University of Cape Town. She is currently completing a Master of Philosophy in Health Innovation at the same institution. Her research explores the equitable adoption of biomedical reproductive health technologies among marginalised women in low- and middle-income countries, reflecting her broader commitment to ensuring that innovation reaches and benefits those who are most often underserved.

Obakeng helps turn bold ideas into thriving businesses. He is responsible for pre-seed deal sourcing and preparation and presents investment recommendations to the Pre-Seed Investment Committee. Once the pre-seed investments are approved, he provides dedicated support to investee businesses towards their pre-seed growth goals and objectives. He has previous experience in investing in technology innovations and public sector IP commercialisation, business development and portfolio management in development finance. He holds an MSc in Biotechnology from UP. He is passionate about fostering entrepreneurial success and accelerating the development and growth of technology-focused and innovative start-ups.

Njabulo supports early-stage ventures through tailored venture building, helping founders validate, launch, and scale impactful businesses. His role includes pre-seed deal sourcing, preparation, investment readiness, and hands-on support to accelerate growth and sustainability. He brings a diverse background with roles in entrepreneurship, financial services, corporate development (M&A), technology, innovation strategy, private equity, and venture capital. Njabulo holds a BBusSci in Finance from UCT and has completed further training in venture development and systems thinking. He is passionate about building and investing in African ventures that solve real-world problems and create inclusive economic opportunities.

Tshidiso is a venture builder at E Squared and a proven founder who co‑built a logistics company into a national last‑mile platform. He specialises in turning early ideas into investable, scalable businesses, combining hands‑on startup experience, sharp unit economics and UK–Africa market exposure to support founders with confidence and clarity. He holds an MBA, University of Sussex, UK. 

Tshilidzi supports the CFO through oversight of financial reporting, planning, and operations. She has previous experience in finance leadership roles covering reporting, treasury, and shared services. She holds a BCom (Hons) in Chartered Accountancy from UJ. She is passionate about childhood development and education, believing all children deserve a chance not only to enter the schooling system but to access excellent education that sets them up to compete fairly no matter their backgrounds.

Lawrence provides financial, operational, and governance support to ensure valid, accurate, and complete financial reporting, and compliance with relevant statutory bodies. He holds an Adv Dip in Accounting Sciences from UNISA. He is passionate about acquiring new skills, applying those skills in his area of work to improve processes and operational efficiency.

Faith provides financial and operational support and liaises with shared services to ensure timely and accurate processes. She has previous experience assisting with accounting functions and holds a PGDip in Financial Management. Faith is passionate about helping disadvantaged learners apply for university by funding their application and registration fees through an NPO she co-founded with her cousin, where she serves as secretary.

Tebogo serves as E Squared’s Risk and Compliance Officer, focused on strengthening governance, enterprise risk management, compliance, and business resilience. With over five yearsS experience across telecommunications, fintech, and aviation, she views risk management as both a safeguard and a strategic enabler of innovation. Tebogo holds a BCom in Law and a BCom (Hons) in Insurance and Risk Management from Wits.Passionate about sustainable growth and accountability, she brings the same dedication she applies to cycling to advancing E Squared’s mission.

Karabo Mohlala supports the organisation’s operational environment by overseeing workplace operations, facilities coordination, and administrative processes that enable teams to work efficiently. Her role focuses on maintaining operational continuity through vendor management, asset administration, and cross-departmental collaboration.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Financial Management, which provides her with a strong foundation in business operations, financial oversight, and organisational governance.

Karabo has a strong interest in business operations and the development of new business opportunities and is passionate about contributing to organisational growth through improved operational processes, strategic support, and innovation.

Reabetswe leads the Data Insights and Partnerships function, improving how E Squared collects, manages, and uses data to support decision-making, drive performance, and strengthen engagements with ventures and ecosystem partners. He has previous experience in management consulting, with a focus on banking and financial markets. He holds a BCom (Hons) in Economics from Stellenbosch University. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed and believes in the power of data and storytelling to surface opportunities, track progress, and enable smarter, mission-driven support for ventures.

Thulani manages stakeholder engagement and communications, drawing on experience in brand development, strategic execution, and event coordination. He holds a qualification in Public Relations and Communications from UJ and is currently completing a BA in Strategic Brand Communications at Vega. Outside of work, Thulani is a passionate DJ, foodie, traveller, and adrenaline junkie who thrives on new experiences.

Keketso contributes to sourcing and assessing transactions, research, and market mapping, as well as drafting screening notes and memorandums. He has previous operational experience as a bar manager, where he gained responsibility for shift management and reporting. Keketso holds a BCom in Economics and International Trade from NWU. He is an instrumentalist and can play most of the percussive instruments and is shy until given a mic and a stage.

Mulisa supports the investment team with research, due diligence, investment memos, screening notes, and other ad hoc tasks. She holds a BCom(Hons) in Economic Analysis of Financial Markets from UCT. Beyond her professional interests, she is passionate about trying new things, and dressing up to dine at restaurants with beautiful aesthetics. She enjoys content creation.