Sbo Vilakazi, PPI’s Managing Director in South Africa, steps up to the blog today for a special message about a valued member of the PPI – South Africa team.
Tim (far right) with a team from Collingwood Primary School in Wentworth, where he helped build an extremely strong program.
Tim working with a young PPI - SA referee in training.
This month, South Africa bids farewell to Tim Roche, who has been with us as a Fellow since January 2009. In his time, Tim has made a monumental contribution to the organisation, particularly in the challenging community in which he worked and in our management of finances.
Tim was thrown into the deep end on arrival, being allocated to oversee PPI – SA’s programme in Wentworth. Prior to Tim’s arrival, this area had been one of the more challenging that we partner with, and this was definitely not a job for the faint at heart. However, in no time at all, Tim soon distinguished himself as being highly capable. He set about building strong relationships with the school principals and schools reps, and worked his way into the hearts of the participants. After that, it was smooth sailing, and right now PPI – SA does not have stronger support anywhere than in Wentworth.
On the finances side, Tim put his previous experience on Wall Street (Tim joined PPI after working as an investment professional in New York) to good use. He made improvements on PPI – SA’s reporting process and the day to day management of the finances. He contributed to the budgeting process and kept a hawkish eye on expenditure. When the recession bit hard and finances were tight, Tim was on hand to steady the ship. He played a major role in ensuring that the organisation sailed through the toughest period in its history.
Tim making it rain.
Tim will be sorely missed. He has a great way with people and was amazing in his ability to settle into South Africa in such a short period of time. In our resident poet Thobani’s words, “We say goodbye, hoping that someday we’ll say hello again.” On behalf of the South African operation, I wish Tim all of the best for the future. Hamba kahle!!
