Tali Nates
Executive Director
Tali Nates is the Founder and Executive Director of the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre (JHGC), and the Chair of the South African Holocaust & Genocide Foundation. She was born to a family of Holocaust survivors, with her father and uncle having been rescued by Oskar Schindler. As the chief historian of the JHGC, she lectures internationally on Holocaust and genocide education, memory, reconciliation, and human rights, and leads the Centre’s strategic vision and development.
Tali directed the curatorial team for the Centre’s permanent exhibition and has been involved in the creation and production of numerous documentary films, curated exhibitions, and published widely in the field. She serves on international advisory and academic boards and contributes to global initiatives on Holocaust and genocide remembrance and education.
Her work has been recognised with numerous awards in South Africa and internationally, including the Goethe Medal (2022, Germany), the U.S. Secretary of State’s International Religious Freedom Award (2023), the International Network of Genocide Scholars’ Impact Award (2024), and the Decoration of Honour in Gold (2025, Austria).
Catherine Boyd
Education & Content Director
After working with the Centre’s education and marketing teams since 2017, Catherine now manages the team’s day-to-day content. Drawing on her experience in developing online and educational resources, coordinating education and training programmes, and designing promotional materials, she translates strategic objectives into effective action.
Catherine holds an honours degree in History of Art from the University of the Witwatersrand and a diploma in Graphic Design from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Thuli Malinga
Operations Director
Having been part of the JHGC since its inception and returning to the Centre in 2025, Thuli now leads the JHGC’s operational and administrative functions. She oversees infrastructure, compliance, financial systems, venue hire, and logistics, ensuring the Centre runs efficiently and sustainably. A hands-on leader, Thuli coordinates exhibitions, library oversight, volunteers, events administration, and internal team processes, ensuring the Centre’s daily operations support its mission of remembrance and education.
Thuli has over eight years of experience in operations and facilities management. She completed educator training at Yad Vashem, undertook professional development locally and internationally, and is currently completing a BA (Hons) in Business Administration.
Shirley Sapire
Finance & Administration Officer
Shirley has worked at the JHGC since 2014. She coordinates administrative and accounting processes, oversees donations, membership, and funding queries, and manages Survivor Affairs, including the Holocaust Survivor Group. She is also the point of contact for inquiries relating to the March of the Living adult delegation.
Drawing on her background in the hospitality industry, Shirley brings strong organisational and financial expertise to her role. Her longstanding commitment to Holocaust studies and genealogy informs her work with survivors and their families.
Cathy Wilson
Head of Education
Cathy has worked with the JHGC’s education team since 2019. She leads and develops the Centre’s education and training programmes and resources, coordinating, extending, and facilitating educator workshops, conference presentations, specialised training, and tours of the permanent exhibitions for school learners, university students, adult groups, and other visitors. Cathy also builds partnerships and sustains collaborative projects across the JHGC.
She holds a Cum Laude BA in Politics and Philosophy and an Honours degree in Philosophy from the University of Johannesburg.
Tshegofatso Ramatsetse
Education & Projects Officer
Tshegofatso joined the JHGC in 2023 and works on education and special projects, facilitating programmes, workshops, and tours of the Centre’s permanent exhibitions for school learners, university students, adult groups, and other visitors. She leads and co-facilitates the Change Makers Programme (CMP), applying her expertise in social development and policy to inspire activism and critical engagement. Tshegofatso also represents the JHGC on academic and special projects nationally and internationally.
She holds a BA in Psychology, a BA Honours in Communication Theory, and an MPhil in Social Policy and Development from the University of Johannesburg and is currently a PhD candidate at the same university.
Dr Mispa Roux
Education & Research Specialist
Mispa joined the JHGC in April 2024 as an Education & Research Specialist, specialising in international criminal law, human rights law, and international humanitarian law. With a background in academia and research, she contributes to the Centre’s research and writing projects, oversees interns and academic associates, provides guidance on international law and genocide-related matters, and contributes her expertise to its educational programmes.
She holds a LLD in International Law from the University of Johannesburg and previously served as a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Johannesburg and as a Project Coordinator at the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria.
Vix Appelbaum
Heritage & Public Engagement Specialist
Vix joined the JHGC in 2022 and now shapes its creative and public-facing work. Drawing on a background in art history and museum studies, they translate archival and heritage resources into accessible narratives that foster meaningful engagement. Vix leads the creative design and execution of events and special projects, manages social media, communications, and marketing, and plays an advisory role in exhibition design and curation.
They are a Chevening Scholar, and hold a MA in History of Art from the University of the Witwatersrand and a MA in Museum Studies from University College London, UK.
Jordan Saltzman
Archivist
Jordan joined the JHGC in 2019, having previously assisted the JHGC as a researcher and archivist in 2014. She leads the digitisation, conservation, and development of the JHGC collection. She has an interest in all aspects of heritage work, but particularly accessibility, dynamic programming, and how museums and heritage can play a more significant role in social development.
She has a Masters in Museum Studies from the University of Southampton, UK, and is currently studying towards a PhD at the University of Pretoria.
Veronicca Lekoloane
Reception & Tech Officer
Veronicca Lekoloane joined the JHGC in May 2025 as a Tourist Ambassador with the Red Bus and began her role as Receptionist and Tech Officer in 2026. She supports the Centre’s daily operations through front-of-house coordination, administrative processes, visitor engagement, and assistance with public events, helping to ensure programmes run smoothly.
Veronicca is passionate about understanding human behaviour and is committed to supporting the Centre’s mission while working towards her BA in Psychology.
Joel Matasane
Head of Maintenance
Joel has been part of the Centre since its inception, initially working as a member of the building and construction team. He now oversees maintenance across the Centre, ensuring that the facilities operate smoothly and remain safe, functional, and well cared for in support of its daily activities and programmes.
Mandinho Belene
Operations Maintenance Officer
Mandinho Belene supports the Centre’s maintenance and facilities care as General Maintenance and Caretaker. He assists with the upkeep of the building, helping to ensure that the Centre remains safe, functional, and well maintained for staff, visitors, and programme activities.
Dowi Bele
In Memorium of our Colleague
Dowi’s smile and warmth welcomed everyone to the Centre, where she started in 2018 as a receptionist and grew to be the administration officer until her passing in August 2025.