Buzz was founded in 2012 by Hanneke Mackie, who achieved her degree in Theatre and Performance from The University of Cape Town in 2005. She lived in the United Kingdom for much of her 20’s but chose to come back to Africa to make an impact where it is most needed. She is passionate about the marriage of education and play. She believes in applying the arts to develop the child cognitively, socially and holistically.
Hanneke is the creator of Buzz’s unique interactive curricula, the Buzz Teaching Method, teacher training courses, The Buzz television show for children, Buzz Music and Buzz Podcasts for kidz. Hanneke founded The Buzz Foundation NPO in 2018 which offers the same services as Buzz to less fortunate communities across South Africa. She also oversees and has personally custom-developed all operational systems for this unique organisation. Meet the Buzz Kidz Partners, our Franchisees here. Meet Han’s Buzz family below:
Naima McLean
Director and Board Member
The Buzz Foundation
Naima is a writer, poet and performing artist with a degree from UCT. She is completing her MBA at Henley. She was a Business Coach and Senior Associate at The Awethu Project, South Africa’s most innovative SMME investment company. Naima is a fellow of the African Leadership Network and currently employed as Global Programming Director of The Room with a focus on leading the global strategy for community building.
Gilbert Pooley
Director and Board Member
The Buzz Foundation
Gilbert is a founder and director of Umuzi and the African Coding Network. These African edtech social enterprises address youth unemployment and inequality by improving young people’s access to opportunities in the digital economy. He has also worked for the Boston Consulting Group in London and Johannesburg, as well as the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
Dee Theart
Director and Board Member
The Buzz Foundation
Dee obtained her BDram degree from the University of Stellenbosch. She works in the media, arts and education. National and international career highlights include radio presenting and producing, voice work, MCing events, acting and writing for various media platforms. Dee joined Buzz in 2015, and has since experienced all facets of the company, from facilitating workshops and parties, working as Area Manager and Acting Managing Director.
Nolwazi Mthembu
Buzz Kidz Operations Manager
Nolwazi received her Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Dramatic Arts. Her passion is communication, which suits her role at Buzz perfectly. Lwazi, as she is affectionately known, is the face of Buzz and the most likely voice on the other side of the phone when you buzz us. Nolwazi handles scheduling with schools, and managing the everyday operation of the business.
Thando Mdluli
Buzz Kidz Head of Growth
Thando is a Performing Arts and Musical Theatre Honours graduate from the Tshwane University of Technology. He has been in stage productions since his high school years at the National School of the Arts. Thando was the producer and host of the afternoon drive time radio show at Tshwane FM 93.6 and later joined TransAfrica Radio. He is the founder of the Throne Entertainment Productions, producing musical corporate theatre.
Anela Ngxabani
Buzz Kidz Head of Teams
Anela is a Tshwane University of Technology Musical Theatre B-Tech graduate. The focus of her thesis was improving children’s educational experience through the use of musical theatre. She has previously worked as a
drama teacher, directed and written children’s plays. She also studied Jazz at the Central Johannesburg College.
Zahn-Reece Malgas
Buzz Facilitator
Zahn-Reece is a singer, dancer and actor. He graduated from the Tshwane University of Technology where he majored in Musical Theatre. Zahn-Reece has mastered multiple instruments and was a Top 16 contestant on Idols SA.
Yolanda Musah
Buzz Facilitator
Hailing from the small town of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, Yolanda holds a B-Tech degree from Tshwane University of Technology. She majored in acting and directing. She believes in the power of the arts for child development and she is a valued member of the Buzz Team.
Thabiso Chule
Buzz Facilitator
Thabiso, or as the Buzz kidz call him, Mufasa, is from KwaZulu Natal. He is a qualified actor, performer and dancer and obtainied a Musical Theatre qualification at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Thobeka Jali
Buzz Facilitator
Thobeka is a performing arts and musical theatre graduate from Tshwane University of Technology. She has facilitated various workshops from drumming to apartheid history in Germany. Thobeka loves nothing more than being with and inspiring, young children.
Neo Mokoena
Buzz Facilitator
Neo Mokoena is a Musical Theatre practitioner and a Performing Arts (Cum Laude) graduate from the Tshwane University of Technology. She has worked with many local artists as a choreographer and dancer. She also participated in theatre productions such as Nomme. Her love for kids shows through her enthusiasm!
Bianca Wepener
Buzz Facilitator
Bianca graduated from AFDA, Cape Town in 2018. Growing up in Polokwane, she enjoyed playing different characters in several theatre productions and choreographed dance routines. She is passionate about education and using the arts to help children grow in different facets of life.
Anoecha Krüger
Buzz Facilitator
Anoecha is an actress, theatre maker and puppeteer. She graduated from the Stellenbosch Drama Department, majoring in acting. She specializes in educational theatre through live performance, puppetry, puppet building, theatre making and writing stories.
Palesa Makhudu
Buzz Facilitator
Palesa Makhudu is passionate about children and drama. She studied at the National School of the Art. Palesa also took part in a children’s educational drama “Ziku’s Earth Adventure” for The Learn Channel. She’s worked with great mentors such as Sylvaine Strike and Dorothy Ann Gould, who’ve helped her put smiles on many children’s faces at The UJ Drama Company.
Vivienne van der Meer
Buzz Facilitator
Vivienne studied musical theater at Tshwane University of Technology and traveled with an educational show, “My Children my Africa” throughout rural South Africa. She has also written, directed and choreographed plays alongside the Tshwane Youth Theatre.
Donae Brazer
Buzz Facilitator
Donae is a performance artist with a true talent for singing. She studied Musical Theatre at Tshwane University of Technology and Oakfields College. Donae has since been involved in more than 20 educational and children’s productions. Donae has performed in musicals such as Pricilla, Queen of the Desert, as well as Evita.
