Board member

Aidan-John (AJ) Rothman was appointed Chief Executive Officer of TUHF on 1 October 2025, succeeding Founding CEO, Paul Jackson.

AJ’s career began in the chemical manufacturing industry at AECI, he then entered investment banking and capital markets, joining Standard Bank’s Corporate and Invest Bank in 1999. There, he established and led the bank’s securitisation division, building it into the largest in South Africa with a 40% market share, executing landmark transactions such as South Africa’s first public RMBS for SA Home Loans, the first asset-backed commercial paper conduit (Blue Titanium), and innovative global securitisations. He later directed the growth of Standard Bank’s securitisation businesses internationally, with responsibility across London, Moscow, New York, Argentina, and Brazil.

AJ was part of the banking team that negotiated the Financial Services Charter commitments in terms of affordable housing.

In 2012 AJ became CEO of RBA Housing, where he implemented strategies that doubled housing sales and pioneered cost-effective construction methodologies in the affordable housing sector. He has also co-founded Home of My Own, supporting affordable homeownership, and led consulting engagements through Strawberry Blue Solutions.

AJ joined TUHF in 2019 as a  capital markets specialist. He was instrumental in shaping TUHF’s funding architecture: implementing a R1 billion warehouse facility, establishing a R125 million township affordable rental fund, and successfully securitising R1.65 billion of TUHF’s loan book through Urban Ubomi — the first social bond listed on the JSE’s Sustainable Bond Segment, which won GFC Media’s Local Currency Bank/FI Bond Deal of the Year (2022).

He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand. He has also completed executive training in leadership, negotiation, project management, and operations management, as well as further studies in machine learning and data science.

AJ Rothman, Chief Executive Officer Read More »

James Howard was a Portfolio Manager with Futuregrowth Asset Management from 1998 to 2019 when he stepped aside to focus on serving on the boards of some Futuregrowth portfolio investee companies. His experience and successful track record in capital raising and application, and in managing developmental projects such as low-cost housing via Futuregrowth’s Development Equity Fund is a valuable addition to our Board. James’ understanding of the balance between making a difference to communities and achieving stable risk-related returns for stakeholders aligns well with TUHF’s vision of creating impact through scale, as a good business doing good.

James has a BCom degree from Stellenbosch University. His work experience before he joined Futuregrowth includes major parastatal Transnet and private-sector leader Anglo American Corporation.

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Celiwe is an experienced corporate lawyer with extensive experience in corporate governance, risk and compliance management. She brings a wealth of experience having been a practicing attorney in the early years of her career and was later bitten by the corporate law and corporate governance bug.

Celiwe holds an LLB Degree and a post graduate certificate in Strategy Management and Corporate Governance from the University of South Africa, as well as a post graduate certificate in Banking Law and Finance Markets obtained from Wits.

Celiwe was admitted as an attorney in 2010, and later enrolled as an Advocate. Celiwe served as a senior legal manager and as Company Secretary in various affordable housing institutions prior to joining TUHF.

Adv. Celiwe Rahlagane, Legal and Compliance Executive Read More »

Nindiphiwe is an experienced finance executive currently in the renewable industry (IPPs). She has worked in private equity, financial services and audit. She is skilled in financial & risk management, auditing, project finance and governance.

She is a Chartered Accountant with a BCom and Higher Diploma in Accounting from Rhodes University. She has passed CFA level II.

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Faith Khanyile has over 25 years’ experience in the Financial services sector including corporate and investment banking, private equity and social impact investing.  She spent 12 years in Senior and Executive positions at Standard Bank, Corporate and Investment Bank (“CIB”) from 2001 to 2013 and was the CEO of WDB Investment Holdings until April 2022.

Faith is an experienced non-executive board director of private, publicly listed companies and not for profit companies.  She serves on the boards of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange ( JSE) listed,  Discovery Limited, the JSE Limited and Bidvest Limited.  She also serves on the Board of Primestars, a social business that is involved in youth education and empowerment, she Chairs the GBVF Fund ( established in February 2021 by the private sector in partnership with the South African President to fight GBVF scourge in South Africa and the International Women’s Forum (IWFSA).

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Rob Wesselo joined TUHF’s Board as a non-executive director in April 2023. An Admitted Attorney, Rob has extensive experience in construction, banking and property finance. He has previously sat on the Boards of Group Five Building and Pangbourne Property Fund, bringing valuable know-how to TUHF’s Board.

Rob has been the Managing Director at International Housing Solutions since September 2010. This role sees him adding fund management experience specific to affordable housing and residential property across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa to TUHF’s Board. In addition, Rob has developed and managed affordable rental housing units at scale, successfully listed the first Residential Fund on the JSE and has engaged with international DFIs on affordable and social housing efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Lusanda-Netshitenzhe

Lusanda has over 21 years’ experience in the property and affordable housing sector. She joined TUHF in 2007 as Portfolio Manager and opened TUHF’s KwaZulu Natal operations in 2009. She served as Development Impact Executive at TUHF before becoming CEO of TUHF21 in April 2021.

She holds an MBL (UNISA) and an MSc in Development Planning (Wits). She completed the Executive Programme in Advanced Property Development (Graduate School of Business, UCT) and Wharton International Housing Finance Course (University of Pennsylvania, USA).

Lusanda works to ensure that TUHF21’s subsidiary businesses – uMaStandi and Intuthuko – become viable Social Enterprises and contribute to real development impact in townships and inner-city areas around South Africa.

Lusanda Netshitenzhe, Chief Executive Officer, TUHF21 Read More »

Ilona-Roodt

Ilona Roodt is the Financial Director at the TUHF, managing the entire financial process within the company. Her role includes Financial reporting, Policy development and implementation, Treasury and Risk Management, Governance and regulatory compliance.

Before joining TUHF, she held positions as financial manager at Standard Bank Property Finance & Advisory services, Portfolio Manager for Rand Merchant Bank (a Division of First Rand Bank Ltd), and Credit Manager and Corporate & International Credit at Nedcor Bank.

Ilona holds a B.Com (Accountancy, Auditing, Commercial Law), C.T.A./B.Compt (Accountancy, Auditing, Tax), PAAB Qualifying Exam – CA (SA), JSE Compliance Officer Rules Exam, Mortgage finance (Wits Business School), Property Development Programme (SAPOA), H. Dip Tax, and an International Housing Finance Program (Wharton Business School, Pennsylvania) qualification.

Ilona Roodt (CA), Financial Director Read More »

Samson-Moraba

BCom (Unisa), Programme for Management Development (Harvard Business School)

Appointed to the board: 21 May 2003

Samson Moraba is the chief executive officer of the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) and has served as a member of the licensing committee of the Financial Services Board since 2004. He currently serves on numerous boards, including the Cape Town Community Housing Company and Community Property Holdings Limited.

Samson was previously an executive director: IT at Standard Corporate Merchant Bank (SCMB), where he also served as a member of the business prioritisation committee. Samson has also served as a senior consultant at Gemini Consulting and manager within the Corporate Finance Division of JCI.

Furthermore, from 2004 to 2007, he served as the chairman of the African Union for Housing Finance and was on the standing committee for the revision of the 1990s Bank Act at the South African Reserve Bank.

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Robert-Emslie

CA(SA)

Appointed to the board: 1 August 2009

Robert Emslie has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector and has held positions as the head of Absa Business Banking, Absa Africa and Absa Corporate and Business Bank. He was also a member of the Absa Group EXCO and during his time at Absa he was a board member of the following listed companies: Paramount, Ambit and Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe.

Robert retired from his career in the banking industry in 2008 and currently serves on the boards of several unlisted and listed companies including SilverBridge Holdings Limited, Finbond Group Limited and New Europe Property Investments plc.

Robert Emslie (CA), Lead Independent Non-Executive Director Read More »