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ZARA'S STAFF
TEMBA MKHOSANA
ZIMBABWE BASED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Temba Mkhosana became director of Zara’s Center in January 2025 – with previous successful leadership roles in business, education, and the community. He holds a graduate degree in Management from University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika and an undergraduate degree in General Studies from UK-based Loughborough University.
GIBSON CONNICK
ZIMBABWE BASED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Zara's Center welcomed Mr. Gibson Connick as our new Executive Director in 2014 and he retired from exemplary service in 2024. He came to Zara’s after a successful career as Principal of Petra Primary School, a leading high-profile institution. Mr. Connick continues his service to Zara’s Center as Director Emeritus through December 2025.
SINIKO NDHLOVU
FIELD OFFICER
Siniko joined Zara's team in 2017. Before coming to Zara's Center, he was a teacher, and later served as a Mentor at Africaid. He holds diplomas in Agricultural Education and Special Needs Education.
GAYLE MHLOPE
COMPUTER COORDINATOR & INSTRUCTOR
Gayle was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and holds a diploma in executive secretarial and an ICDL certificate with Foundation College of Zimbabwe. In her free time she enjoys singing, dancing, reading, and teaching Sunday school.
REBECCA GOPITO
ASSISTANT NUTRITIONIST & GROUP A INSTRUCTOR
Rebecca was born in Bulawayo and trained with the red cross in first aid. She helps to maintain hygiene standards at the center and monitor food service operations to ensure conformance to nutritional, safety, sanitation and quality standards.
She also works with our youngest children (Group A - Ages 5-10) on Psycho-Social Support lessons and our art program in conjunction with Lalela.
ANGELINE MOYO
BEADWORK INSTRUCTOR AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
Angeline was born in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. Angeline is our Beading Instructor and is very talented in craft and bead work.
Her hobbies include swimming, reading, and music.
CORNELIUS ZHOU
PIANO & MUSIC SKILLS INSTRUCTOR
Cornelius has been teaching piano and related music skills part time at Zara's since 2014. He is a single parent of four children and has a degree in ethnomusicology from Indiana University in the USA. He has extensive experience teaching music to high school students and served in the Army for 14 years as a music tutor.
When he isn’t teaching Zara’s kids, he teaches Music at a local primary school.
TENIA MATHE
HOUSEKEEPING & HYGIENE
Tenia joined Zara's staff in November 2014 and is responsible for the housekeeping and general cleanliness of the Center. She is a single mother with two boys who are in secondary school. In her free time, she enjoys watching TV soaps and spending time with her children.
VUSANI C. VUMA
MARIMBA, MUSIC, & DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Vusani teaches marimba music and dance at Zara’s Center. He was a member of a band called “Liyana”, which was based at King George VI school for handicapped youth. The band performed nationally and toured Europe and the U.S.A. Vusani is half Deaf and holds a Certificate in E.C.D. (Early Childhood Development) and Fine Arts. In addition to teaching at Zara’s, he works as an E.C.D. teacher at King George VI and is the Dance and Drama coach for Deaf children. He also manages a soccer team for the Deaf.
ENNET MUTASA
DANCE & DRAMA INSTRUCTOR
Ennet teaches dance, drama, and art at Zara's Center. She is married and has two children. She holds degrees in secondary education, Information Processing, and psychology, as well as a certificate in systems software technology.
She is passionate about instructing both hearing and Deaf children in music and art. She also teaches Sign Language to teachers of the deaf, parents, hospitals, and the community at large.
USA-BASED STAFF
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DEBORAH PLUTZIK BRIGGS, ED.D
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PG FAMILY FOUNDATION
Deborah Briggs is a founding member of Zara’s Center International Board of Directors and the Plutzik Goldwasser Family Foundation, where she has led her family in shaping and ensuring program excellence for initiatives worldwide. Deborah holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University and a certificate in Public Policy from the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, DC. She has received many awards in her career for visionary service to global causes in the arts and education in her 40 year career.
JESSICA BRIGGS-CLARK
CONSULTANT - FISCAL PROGRAMS AND MARATHON FUNDRAISING
Jessica Briggs-Clark was the US-Based director of Zara’s Center-USA for 10 years, departing for a new chapter in 2023. Her service to the children at Zara’s Center continues with targeted roles that embrace fiscal systems and managing Team Zara in the NYC and Miami Marathons. Jessica holds an MA in Human Rights from Columbia University and a BA in Religion from the University of Rochester.
REMEMBERING ZARA BELLA
ZARA BELLA
CHIEF FRIENDSHIP OFFICER
Zara Bella was Zara’s Center’s first ‘Chief Friendship Officer’.
She passed away in 2023, and will always be remembered as everyone’s best friend.
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