Sipelile Kaseke

Vice President of Programs: Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Contact Sipelile: skaseke@kidzatheart.org

I was born in Zimbabwe, but I currently live with my husband and our three children (1 girl and 2 boys) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I was born in a Christan family. The church was a big part of my life and it still is. My work in Missions started in Zimbabwe when I used to volunteer at the Salvation Army Masiye Camp as a camp counsellor. This was a life changing time for me, having grown up with both parents in a comfortable environment. I quickly learnt that this was not the life most children had. My friends and I decided to start an organization called Youth for a Child in Christ, as young people we provided love, friendship and comfort to other young people. We wanted the organization to be youth-run, so when we passed on the organization to other young people, I joined the Salvation Army as staff responsible for taking good practices to different countries. In doing this work I saw God in action transforming lives and transforming communities. 

I knew God had called me to work with children, when I realized that it is possible for every child to have a wonderful childhood. My calling became about working with families and communities to create safe spaces for children. I worked for REPSSI supporting governments, families and communities in caring for children's mental health and psychosocial well-being. My work with SOS children's homes was around recreating families so children can grow up in a loving homes. 

I have been with KidZ at heart since 2022. I am most excited about the possibility of developing a grandparents’ program. I cant wait for us to do trainings with our Gogos (grandparents). A lot of children in Africa are being raised by grandparents, so this program will transform families.