Thabo Moloto
President
Thabo, former head of Extracurricular Programs at Waterberg College in Limpopo, is now focused on expanding youth education through his startup college in the province, aimed at training underprivileged youth. He promotes academic engagement via MUN conferences and training, with the vision of using UNASA to offer diplomacy courses that foster academic success and leadership development.
Patson Malisa
Vice President
Patson has held key leadership roles, including Deputy Presiding Officer of the African Union’s ECOSOCC, President of the Organisation of African Youth, and High Commissioner for the Universal Education Charter. He was also Head of Strategic Planning and Acting Secretary for ECOSOCC’s Infrastructure and Energy Cluster. His recognition includes being nominated for Tomorrow’s Leader (2014), featured in the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans (2015), and named one of Avance Media’s 100 Most Influential Young South Africans (2017).
Ali Kiyaei
Secretary-General
Toni Itov
Deputy Secretary-General
T0ni is a seasoned businessman with a degree in agricultural sciences from the University of Skopje, Macedonia. Since 2014, he has served as Head of Partnerships at the United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA). He has played a key role in developing strategic partnerships with NGOs, UNASA’s international partners, and private businesses. He has also been instrumental in expanding UNASA’s presence at universities across South Africa, contributing to the organization’s growth and success.
Professor Harold Herman
Honorary Board Member
Professor Herman is an activist and educator dedicated to advancing inclusive education in South African schools. He is the founder of UNASA, former Dean of the Education Faculty at the University of the Western Cape, and former Vice President of WFUNA. Currently, he serves on several NGO and CSO boards. His autobiography, From a Local Village to the Global Village, chronicles his life from growing up in a farming community to attending the first “coloured” school in segregated Cape Town. His story highlights his journey from local challenges to global activism and leadership in education.
Mary Ramonyatse
Board Member
Mary joined UNASA in 2017 and was instrumental in establishing the Capricorn chapter. She is dedicated to expanding the chapter to other campuses in Polokwane and is known for her strong communication and administrative skills. Passionate about youth development and empowerment, Mary works closely with students at her institution, fostering opportunities for growth, leadership, and personal development. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders drives her work and impacts the lives of many students.
Mulisa Mposhomali
Board Member - Chapter Acquisition
Mulisa previously served as Dep.Secretary-General until 2020. His involvement with UNASA began in 2012, and he has participated in several Model United Nations (MUN) Conference furthering his commitment to global diplomacy and youth leadership. He works in the Community Engagement Directorate at the University of Venda, focusing on initiatives that connect the university with local communities. Mulisa holds an Honours Degree in International Relations and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Venda, further developing his expertise in international relations.
Mariam Salie
Chief Administrative Officer
Mariam is an experienced business manager with 10+ years in the retail industry, specializing in administration, marketing, accounting, and NPO legislation. She now applies her expertise to support the United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) and its chapters, with a focus on advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. Passionate about inclusive solutions, she advocates for strategic partnerships among governments, businesses and NPOs to achieve these global targets with specific focus on ensuring that every child has access to tertiary education.