The Team

Meet our experienced and passionate team

Hosting the Cape Town Gay Games in 2030 will be the culmination of many years’ of hard work, which started long before this current bidding process. Spearheaded by a dedicated team and fully supported by the City of Cape Town, this bid is the personification of our ongoing commitment to support diversity, promote LGBTQIA+ rights in historically disadvantaged areas. Our mission is to shape the narrative of what it means to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community across the African continent.

The team of collaborators comprise LGBTQIA+ legends in Cape Town and South Africa, representatives of LGBTQIA+ organisations and clubs, and events professionals with decades’ of experience in bringing some of the world’s largest mass sporting events and iconic cultural events to the Mother City. 

This team comprises professionals who are not only the best in their respective fields, but who are also known for their passionate commitment to community, inclusivity and equal rights for all, as well as collaborators, advisors and volunteers who will work together to use the Cape Town Gay Games a platform for change in Africa, using our motto “LIVE IN FULL COLOUR” to inspire and uplift.

As a team, we are inspired by the objectives and vision of the FGG, and are committed to build upon the FGG’s core principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™. We want to use this international event to bring people together and promote diversity, respect, equality and solidarity, while shaping current and future conversations in the LGBTQIA+ space.

Ian McMahon – Dreamer-in-Chief & Cheermaster

Head Coach of Cape Town’s bid project, Ian’s journey is a vibrant tapestry of activism, leadership, and dedication to LGBTQIA+ sports and community. 

Actively involved in the LGBTQIA+ community since 1995, his experience at Gay Games V in Amsterdam in 1998 sparked a lifelong commitment to LGBTQIA+ sports.

Relocating to Cape Town in 1999, Ian’s leadership flourished. He played a crucial role in establishing the Cape Town Pride Festival, launching its first formal event in 2001 as Chairperson. In 2006, he was instrumental in the International Rainbow Memorial Run during Cape Town Pride, with the flag leading the historic first LGBTQ+ Pride March in any African township, through Gugulethu, and concluding its global journey at the opening ceremony of the Gay Games in Chicago.

Ian competed in four editions of the Gay Games (1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010), earning a bronze medal in Track and Field Athletics in Sydney in 2002. His involvement extended to governance as he became a delegate to the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), representing Africa, and later joined its Board, serving as Vice-President of External Affairs. 

He also hosted the FGG Annual General Assembly in Cape Town in 2008. His contributions were recognized in 2009 when he received the International FGG Volunteer of the Year Award, alongside fellow South African Hlengiwe Buthelezi, for their local outreach efforts.

Ian’s dedication led to the founding of the Pride Shelter Trust in 2007, which opened Africa’s first dedicated LGBTI+ homeless shelter in 2011. In recognition of his 24 years of service to the LGBTQIA+ community, he was honoured with the Pride Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, celebrated by 7,000 attendees at the Pride Festival.

Although Cape Town’s bids to host the Gay Games in 2022 and 2026 did not advance to the final rounds, Ian’s impact on local businesses and community organizations remains significant. 

He served as Chairperson of the De Waterkant Civic Association, which represents the area known for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ community, its Gay Village – a place where he has both lived and invested in local businesses. 

Since 2020, Ian has also been a local Ward Councillor on the City Council, representing Green Point, De Waterkant, and the downtown CBD districts. In these roles, Ian continues to drive positive change and advocate for all communities, ensuring inclusive progress and support for diverse groups.

Ian’s passionate pursuit to host the 2030 Gay Games in Cape Town reflects his deep commitment to reshaping the narrative of LGBTQIA+ identity in Africa, highlighting the significant visibility and human rights impact it would bring to Cape Town, South Africa, and the entire continent.

David Ryan – Chair of Finance

David is a native Capetonian, proudly gay dad and champion of sustainable tourism, who is committed to travel that can change the world by giving back.

He is the founder and CEO of Rhino Africa, and effortlessly merges his background and experience in finance and management with his passion for conservation and travel.

Sheryl Ozinsky – Chair of Business & Partnerships

Sheryl is synonymous with the development of tourism in Cape Town, taking the city from relative obscurity during the apartheid era to the top world tourism destination it is today.

She also developed iconic attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Oranjezicht Farmers Market.

Considered a Cape Town legend, Sheryl is one of the Mother City’s most connected individuals.

André Vorster – Chair of Culture & Ceremonies 

Andre is an Event Architect and Queer Activist, known for facilitating collaboration between different Queer Tribes in Cape Town.

He has designed and produced many Queer tribal-gatherings across the city, including the AIDS and Safe Sex Exhibition, Mother City Queer Projects, Mad-About-the-Man (A Queer party celebrating Mandela’s 80th birthday), Queers by Candlelight at Kirstenbosch, and other LGBTQ+ sporting and cultural events.

Leigh-Ann Naidoo – Co-Chair of Sports

Dr Leigh-Ann Naidoo is an educationalist who works at the University of Cape Town, School of Education. After the sports boycott was ended, she represented South Africa in beach volleyball at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she was one of a handful of out, queer Olympians. She has worked inside and outside of the formal education system. She was involved in #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall struggles and formed part of the 2016 all women international flotilla mission that attempted to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. She is interested in knowledge production outside of the confines of the academic project and is working collectively to try and develop daily pedagogies that confront the violences that are the reality of the majority of people on the planet, to work towards some form of resistance and repair. She continues to be involved in reimagining the university as an institution with the potential to radically change society.

Ndumie Funda – Chair of Outreach

A self-proclaimed South African feminist, Ndumie is the activist who founded Luleki Sizwe – a non-profit organisation based near Cape Town dedicated to supporting predominantly black lesbian women like herself, who are victims of rape or homophobic attacks.

Her ongoing efforts as a black lesbian woman living in rural South Africa makes her a hero to those she helps.

Zoey Black – Chair of Diversity & Inclusion

Zoey is a queer transgender woman of colour living in Cape Town, South Africa.

She is a documentary filmmaker and photographer, and human rights activis, and has over a decade of experience in live performance, filmmaking, photography, social activism, and peer and group facilitation.

As a filmmaker and photographer, she is focused on telling authentic and engaging queer stories.

Martina Barth – Chair of Sales & Marketing

Martina is representative for Africa of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, SATSA Chairperson of the Western Cape and Sales Manager for The Liz McGrath Collection (proud members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World).

She is an experienced tourism executive with a demonstrated history of working within the hospitality industry.

Warren Lucas – Co-Chair of Sports

Warren is an Accredited Sport Scientist (SASMA), a PhD Exercise Science Candidate at the University of Cape Town.

He works as an Account Manager at the Sport Science Institute of South Africa. His research interests are within the fields of Public Health and Epidemiology, Sport Science, Fitness, Substance Use Disorders, Youth Development, and Injury/Treatment Surveillance.

Bruce Parker-Forsyth – Project Manager

Bruce boasts over 29 years’ experience crafting phenomenal event platforms to unlock destination marketing, economic impact, community involvement, brand activation, and unforgettable customer experiences.

Bruce drafted the South African Government White Paper on Sports Tourism. He has led multidisciplinary teams to delivery world-class events in South Africa and the UAE.

Jenni Liefeldt – Project Coordinator

Over the past 30 years, Jenni has played a project, sponsorship, client service and hospitality management role on the teams of some of SA’s largest sporting events.

She has been part of a number of international bid teams, most notably to bring the Olympic Games to Cape Town in 2004.

Her experience ranges from World Cups and Ocean Race stopovers to motorsport and beyond.

Carlos das Neves – Finance

Carlos is qualified Chartered Accountant with 25 years’ experience as a Financial Director in the Event Management and Marketing Industry.

He spent 7 years as an auditor at BDO Spencer Steward.

As a professional soccer player, Carlos spent 11 years playing professionally for Hellenic FC. Carlos is a lover of sport, an avid golf player, and music enthusiast.

Phillip Mkorongo – Stakeholder Relations

Phillip is a sports business professional with 14 years’ experience in delivering events, including the inaugural Cape Town leg of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Proficient in supporting business & commercial development teams, he crafts turnkey solutions for major sporting and lifestyle events that deliver on socio-economic, tourism, destination, and brand marketing objectives for destinations and rights holders.

Mandy Penney – Sport & Culture

Having spent 15 years in advertising and eight years in events, Mandy has worked on some of South Africa’s most exciting international events, including the World Rallycross Championships and Cape Town e-Prix.

A 3rd Dan in karate and multiple gold medalist, she attributes her adaptability and high levels of discipline to her years of competing internationally.

Steyn Momberg – Sports, Logistics, Security & Transport

An internationally recognized events specialist with a proven track record that spans over 25 years, Steyn has designed and implemented full-scale operations and activation plans for international events in Africa and the Middle East.

His core expertise and focus areas in event macro delivery include Event Project Management Systems and Staff Management, High-Level Stakeholder Engagement, and Mass Participation Health & Safety Planning.

Waathiq Hilton – Travel & Accommodation

Waathiq is the Chief Sales Officer at Rhino Africa, with over 10 years in the BPO industry and 6 years with Rhino Africa.

He has driven business growth through leadership roles and is passionate about travel.

Waathiq values creativity, leadership, and teamwork, enjoying exploring new cultures and adventures in his role.

Leonie Mollentze – Marketing & Communications

Leonie has over 25 years’ experience in strategic marketing, communications, and media management, and has worked in the sports events space – including some of SA’s largest mass-participation and mass audience sporting events – for the past two decades.

She loves telling stories that matter, changing mindsets, advocating for radical inclusion, and cold water endurance swimming.

Luke Lalin – Outreach & Scholarship

Head of Marketing and Communications at Rhino Africa, Luke has degrees in Psychology, Economics and Financial Management, and is a passionate traveller and swimmer with a heart for sport and the outdoors.

It is his mission to promote travel to Africa, and inspire people from all around the world to explore our incredible continent.

Dawid Minnie – Diversity & Inclusion

With a background spanning over 18 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, Dawid has worked for some of the world’s leading hotel groups before steering his career in the direction of event sales.

He has travelled to over 30 countries, and has lived and worked in the UK, Morocco, and Seychelles… but his heart remains firmly rooted in Africa.

Paul Sainsbury – Games Village & Ceremonies

Paul has over 20 years’ event production experience, and has managed the conceptualisation and buildng of race- and hospitality villages for numerous international events.

In Southern Africa alone, he has designed, conceptualised, and delivered more than 500 events including large corporate awards dinners, sports events, outdoor lunches, charity auctions, and conferences.

Phuti Lekoloane

Phuti is a South African footballer, LGBTQIA+ activist, and the founder and chairman at Phuti Lekoloane Foundation – a non-profit that aims to provide development and training about LGBTQIA+ to the community – and LGBTI Legacy games.

He Africa’s first openly gay footballer, and the only recorded out gay male footballer in South Africa to play at a high level.