Meet the team

Sean Walpole graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2002 with a Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Sean is a South African with extensive experience working with international students and university professors and describes his position at the VACorps as his dream job. He has a passion for travel and an insatiable desire for exploration. Since 2001, Sean has organized and led trips to Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and along the Garden Route in South Africa. He provides all logistical support for university faculty-led programs in South Africa facilitated by VACorps. In his spare time, Sean has also taught more than 300 people to SCUBA dive! He is one of the most enthusiastic and hard-working individuals you will ever meet!

Oliver is a proud graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication (’05). He fell in love with South Africa in 2003 while an exchange student at the University of Cape Town and later returned to the country in 2005 to work as a PADI SCUBA instructor after failing to find a job as a magazine editor in New York City. This early professional setback allowed him to return to South Africa and eventually discover his dream career within the field of international education. When not engaged in VACorps affairs, Oliver can be found hiking, mountain biking, trail running, training for triathlons or surfing one of Cape Town’s many amazing waves.

Kholosa Potwana also known as Kholi is an enthusiast. Born, bred and buttered (as South Africans like to put it) in Cape Town but originally from Eastern Cape, South Africa. Kholi is a facilitator, artist, and entrepreneur. She has a passionate and loving personality and is warm and adventurous. With a deep passion for people, she likes mountains, traveling, and reading books. When not involved in these activities she can be found listening to South African music: kwaito, jazz, hip-hop, and soul. With experience in leading groups on different projects, Kholi is your girl when it comes to familiarising yourself with the locals. She has completed the Spirit of the Wild Intuitive guiding course in 2008, which puts you in capable hands for local walks and making you feel comfortable in the most unfamiliar of environments.3

Loyiso is the only true “Capetionian” on our team, having spent his entire life living in the majestic city of Cape Town. He has a professional background in sales and marketing and loves working with people. Interns will get to know him for his friendly nature and famous smile. Outside of his work at VACorps, Loyiso is a popular DJ who goes by the name, DJ Lloyd. When he gets the dance floor moving, he is at his happiest!

Kuselwa, also known as Kous Kous or Kusie is notorious for her laughter and smiles, which in turn makes everyone around her feel happy! She loves music and dancing and spending time on the beach in summer. Kuselwa has been making friends with VACorps interns for years while working at FOREX and for the Mama’s Kitchen meal plan — but now she’s officially on the VACorps staff as a program assistant. She enjoys showing interns around Cape Town and explaining cultural differences and Xhosa phrases. Kuselwa is originally from Idutywa in the Eastern Cape province but has been living in Cape Town for many many years.

Originally from Johannesburg, Leanne Hagan is a born and bred South African. Following the completion of her Business Science Honors degree in finance from the University of Cape Town, she spent three years working and traveling the globe. Convinced that Cape Town truly is the most beautiful city in the world, she decided to settle in the Mother City. Leanne is a qualified CFA and prior to joining VACorps in 2019 spent 12 years working in the field of finance. In her free time, Leanne is an avid cyclist, triathlete, and outdoor adventurer. She enjoys nothing more than spending time the on “The Mountain” with her three dogs and husband, Oliver.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Rowan came to study in Cape Town after school and did not get around to leaving. Cape Town has that effect on people! Rowan has had varied professional experiences ranging from being PADI scuba diving instructor and owning an adventure sports business to running the Cape Town branch of a payment gateway solution. Rowan is passionate about business and startups and loves working with our network of partner sites. His favorite part of being on the VACorps team is witnessing the growth interns experience when they push themselves outside of their comfort zone. Rowan is married and the lucky dad of Fynn and Isla; outside of work the kids keep him busy. He’s also pursuing a degree online so when he’s not on the job he’s catching up on assignments, which helps him understand the challenges of being a student. Rowan loves running and keeping fit, for some odd reason burpees are his favorite exercise. He makes sure to get his kids out to the beach at least once a week, snorkelling at the beaches around Simons Town never gets boring.

Valerie Kholer has been in education for a long time and has had the privilege of teaching, mentoring, and coaching in different contexts. She has supported school learners and in-service teachers studying at the University of Cape Town and has worked with international students studying abroad. Her current focus is assisting teachers with literacy and language development to improve reading comprehension among bilingual learners. She finds joy in creating reading and writing hubs at schools, allowing learners and teachers to work optimally in multilingual classrooms. When not in a classroom, she enjoys camping, hiking, or exploring the beautiful mountains and beaches of Cape Town.

Jon is a proud “Capetonian” who has been based in the “mother city” for the majority of his life and is also a reservist in the South African Police Service (SAPS). Jon loves to explore the city's beautiful natural spaces and is both an avid hiker and SCUBA diver. Kruger National Park is one of his favorite places to visit when on vacation and the bushveld will always hold a special place in his heart.

Dina and Juno are sisters from a farm in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. They graduated from the school of cuteness at birth and have been honing their skills to perfection ever since. When you visit the VACorps office, there is a good chance that you will be greeted at the door by one of these loveable hounds. When not hard at work the office, Dina and Juno can be found enjoying the great outdoors. Dina is a Jack Russell swimming champion and loves hanging out in her custom made wetsuit on Sean’s dive boat anytime the VACorps Scuba Club goes for a weekend dive. Juno’s ultimate lifelong goal is to actually catch one of the wily squirrels in Newlands Forest and until that day, subscribes to the belief that one “should never give up on your dreams!” In their spare time, Juno and Dina love comforting interns who miss their dogs from home— their cuddles are world-class!