Mastercard’s Kamini Redhi Joins JA South Africa Board to Support Youth Preparedness

Nthatisi Quella and Kamini Redhi, new members of JA South Africa board of directors

The appointments mark an important step forward for the organisation as it continues expanding its mission to prepare young people for success through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness education.

“We are honoured to welcome Kamini and Nthatisi to the JA South Africa Board,” said Zodwa Pakade, chairperson of JA South Africa. “Both leaders bring exceptional experience, strategic insight, and a shared passion for empowering young people. Their expertise and perspectives will strengthen our efforts to expand impact and prepare young South Africans for the future of work.”

Kamini Redhi currently serves as vice president of marketing and communications for Africa at Mastercard, where she leads strategic marketing and communications efforts across the continent. With a career spanning global brands including Coca-Cola, Unilever, Estée Lauder Companies, and Nielsen, she brings extensive expertise in brand strategy, consumer engagement, innovation, and commercial growth.

Based in Johannesburg, Redhi has built a reputation for driving impactful campaigns and fostering meaningful connections across diverse African markets. Her longstanding commitment to youth development and economic empowerment strongly aligns with JA South Africa’s vision and mission.

Joining her on the board is Nthatisi Quella, Africa office director at the Harvard University Centre for African Studies. Operating at the intersection of education, leadership development, and institutional innovation, Quella leads Harvard’s partnerships and programme portfolio across the continent from Johannesburg.

With more than two decades of experience across education systems in Lesotho, South Africa, and the United States, she brings deep expertise in strategy execution, leadership development, stakeholder engagement, and educational transformation. Her work has focused on expanding access to world-class learning opportunities for African students and scholars while strengthening partnerships that support African institutions and leadership pipelines.

In 2025, JA South Africa empowered more than 120,000 young South Africans through programs focused on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, project management, and work readiness skills. Through its partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the expansion of digital learning programs, the organisation continues to extend its reach across both in-school and out-of-school youth communities.

The appointment of Kamini Redhi and Nthatisi Quella reflects JA South Africa’s continued commitment to strong leadership, innovation, and meaningful collaboration in advancing opportunities for Africa’s youth.