Tashneem Abrahams

Founder / Chief Executive Director

Muneera Davids

Director of Operations & Communications Liaison

Nazley Towfie

Director of Finance & Contract Specialist

Aaliyah Ahmed

Head Curator

Aarifah Boomgaard

Social Media Manager

Ayesha Kaprey

Graphic Designer

Tashneem Abrahams is our founder and chief executive director - as a photographer herself, Our Cape Town Heritage was constructed after she had a successful exhibition in 2022 around preserving and honouring Cape Malay Heritage and traditions; which inspired the NPO and its mission.

Operating within the framework of OCTH day-to-day activities, she ensures that the team and organization runs effectively and efficiently with a clear vision of opening dialogue, helping, empowering, educating, protecting, promoting and preserving. As one of the three directors, she has been an essential player in the setup of OCTH’s new website - encouraging a sense of belonging that expands a reach for greater connection, preservation, teaching and learning.

As a leader, she is solution oriented, articulates values, cultivates transparency and fosters productive communication to provide guidance and support to the rest of the team, so that we are able to function well in our individual roles to keep the NPO running sustainably. Abrahams' experience in journalism and the marketing sector allows her to use a critical thinking and a values based approach, aiding in the exploration and growth of the organization for marginalized artists, youth and communities.

Our Chief Operating Director and Communications Liaison Manager, Muneera Davids, has played a definitive role in Our Cape Town Heritage since before its initial establishment. Davids helps oversee operational activities, internal and external communications and executes plans into action. As one of the key figureheads within the NPO, she plays a crucial role in efficiently coordinating activities that support our mission. She shows a keen interest in building a sense of community, accessibility, decolonisation and the preservation of heritage and culture.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Director, she assists with executing day-to-day tasks with a strategic vision and operational acumen. Her dedication shines through as she is passionate about community development; and is committed to pushing OCTH toward our goals with integrity and professionalism.

As one of the three directors, she is driven by her compassion and adaptability, which helps OCTH achieve the best results. Having a Masters in Science and juggling her duties at OCTH, Davids finds pleasure in experimenting with cooking and baking. She is very well known for her popular and delicious traditional Cape Malay ‘koesisters’ that she continues to make every Sunday.

Our Chief Financial Director and Contract Specialist, Nazley Towfie is responsible for overseeing financial operations such as budgeting, accounting, and reporting. She is one of the three Directors who played a pivotal role in founding the NPO in 2022, managing cash flow and offering financial insights to support OCTH's mission. Furthermore, she is tasked with the management and drafting of the organization's agreements, significantly advancing the NPO's goals of sustainability and servant leadership.

Her ambition and passion for the preservation of culture and heritage, along with her strong business acumen and analytical thinking, drive her commitment to the continuous improvement and growth of the NPO.

Currently, Nazley is engaged as a Project Developer at a South African independent power producer, where she is inspired to be a transformative force within the community.

Aaliyah Ahmed is our Head Curator; who has distinctly executed each exhibition with her expertise in art curation and evident passion and appreciation for Cape Town heritage and culture. Her work encapsulates the essence of each exhibition and expands on the vision of the artists whose work we showcase. Ahmed's valuable contributions ensure that our exhibitions accurately portray the mission statement of the organization, thereby aiding us to illustrate how important the work of cultural and heritage preservation is, especially for communities.

By guiding artists in expressing their cultural heritage, she empowers them to share their personal histories and traditions. Her expertise, with the curatorial team, allows them to transform their ideas into compelling visual representations that resonate with audiences. Through her dedicated efforts, she not only facilitates the artistic process but also enriches the cultural dialogue surrounding their work. This collaboration fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse stories that shape their art.

Aaliyah Ahmed is a BSocSci graduate from the University of Cape Town, majoring in History and Anthropology. Thereafter, Ahmed obtained a BA Honors Degree from the Michaelis School of Fine Art majoring in Art Curatorship. During her honors year, Ahmed produced a thesis and exhibition titled, “The Prayer Mat We Share”, which looked at how one specific prayer mat highlighted multiple narratives and lived experiences of Muslims around the world.

Currently, Ahmed studies Arabic while residing in Egypt with her husband and their cat.

Our Social Media manager is Aarifah Boomgaard who volunteers all the way from Boston, USA, she is originally from Johannesburg and was one of the first people to join the team. Boomgaard ensures that our social media runs smoothly while offering invaluable support in creating the beautiful videos found on our Instagram and Facebook platforms.

Providing her time and her skills to grow the non-profit organisation, as she believes in the organisation's mission. She admits that she was inspired to help OCTH after experiencing a cultural exchange programme, which taught her about how different cultures abroad have kept traditions alive using storytelling and arts as a form of perseverance.

Through her passion for social media and enthusiasm for cultural heritage, she hopes to use her knowledge to help and share more about our traditions and cultures. Her family's rich history plays a role in her quest to share our cultural heritage stories.

New to the OCTH team is Graphic Designer, Ayesha Kaprey. Volunteering since July 2024, she has become an instrumental part of the team with her inventiveness and resourcefulness. With her creativity and imagination, Kaprey greatly amplifies our content with her artistic expression. She has expanded on the logo and brand design for the NPO, improving the format of many of our campaigns including Through Your Lens, Artist Statement, Through Your Pen and many more.

With her creativity and imagination, Kaprey greatly amplifies our content through her artistic expression.

Zainab is a design and production facilitator at the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design. In her role, she has successfully coordinated and supervised a variety of fashion shows and exhibitions. In early 2024, she began her journey into volunteering by helping out at various venues and by the end of the year, she officially joined OCTH, taking on the role of assistant Set Designer. This experience laid a solid foundation for her growth within the organization. Now, in her new position as Curatorial Assistant, she has stepped into a role that comes with greater responsibilities. This transition allows her to work closely with our Head Curator, providing her with invaluable insights into the curatorial process.

Zainab is known for her keen eye for set design, allowing her to innovate and transform spaces. Her expertise contributes significantly to creating engaging visual experiences. She has worked with local and international artists, from urban to luxury fashion. With her commitment to the NPO and its mission, she is poised to make a significant impact in the curatorial team.

Zainab Abrahams

Curatorial Assistant

DIRECTORS

At the heart of every successful nonprofit lies a Board of Directors committed to implementing best practice policies and procedures. These policies play a crucial role in ensuring the Board stays informed about the organization's progress, promotes accountability, and aids in making decisions that benefit the organization. As policies represent one of the many layers of regulations that govern a nonprofit. the absence of well-defined policies and procedures can lead to inconsistencies in operations, which can hinder teamwork, productivity, and efficiency. It is essential for the organization to focus on developing these frameworks to ensure satisfaction and maintain trust among stakeholders.