This is the fourth in our series introducing the leadership shaping St John's College as we move into 2026 and beyond. These are the individuals who will steward our values, support our community, and uphold what it means to be a Johannian.
"I never imagined that I would one day find myself in the Human Resources space," Olga Maluleke reflects. After completing Matric, she pursued a four-year Higher Education Diploma in Education at Giyani College of Education and began her career as a teacher. "Although I enjoyed teaching and the opportunity to make a difference in students' lives," she explains, "limited employment opportunities at the time prompted a change of direction."
Starting as a receptionist, Olga worked her way into Human Resources. She has gained experience across state-owned entities, the private sector, and the NGO space, most recently serving at the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. Joining St John's College in September as our new Head of Human Resources represented a return to education. "Now, I find myself back in a school environment, which feels like a return to my first passion," she says. "For me, this is a full-circle moment."
Having experienced a Michaelmas term at St John's, Olga has begun to understand our community. What has surprised her most is the rich history of the School. "The School tour during my onboarding was incredible, learning about the 127 years of hard work and tradition was truly inspiring," she says. "It's a powerful reminder that we are now the stewards of that legacy, tasked with building an even greater future for St John's."
Her leadership will be central to delivering the Council Strategy for 2025 to 2030. One of our strategic pillars, "People at the Core," places staff and students at the heart of our future, and Olga will shape this work.
With an MBA in Business Leadership from Wits Business School and qualifications in Industrial Psychology and HRM, she has worked with organisations from junior staff to Board level. "My exposure to working with a wide range of stakeholders has equipped me with the ability to engage, influence, and collaborate effectively," Olga explains.
For me, "people at the core" means ensuring that initiatives are not only people-focused but also co-created with staff.
Her approach to HR centres on inclusivity and alignment. "I believe in bringing everyone on board by designing and implementing solutions that have buy-in from the relevant stakeholders and make strategic sense." For Olga, every HR initiative must link clearly to the school's overall strategic vision. "Ultimately, I see HR leadership as about creating a people-centred environment that enables individuals to thrive while ensuring the organisation delivers on its strategic objectives." This includes building a diverse team that reflects our commitment to transformation and honours our Anglican heritage.
What attracted Olga to St John's was the College's reputation as a world-class institution. "I have always had a passion for the education space, so the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that is respected for academic excellence but also committed to holistic development was very appealing to me."
Her focus is on attracting, developing and retaining exceptional staff who will inspire our students. This means St John's must remain a place where the best people want to work and are recognised for excellence, where they can focus on what matters most - developing young people rightly trained in body, mind and character.
For Olga, putting "people at the core" means active partnership. "It means ensuring that initiatives are co-created with staff," she explains. "This will involve actively engaging employees for feedback, building collaboration across different levels, and creating meaningful opportunities for interaction with the HR team so staff can experience HR as a trusted partner in their journey."
Married with two young adult children, Olga finds balance outside of work through walking and gardening.
"I look forward to getting to know the school better and to working closely with everyone to put people at the core of St John's success," Olga says. "I understand that this is a journey and that change is never easy, but I am confident that, together, we can build on St John's proud heritage and position the College for continued success for the next 127 years and beyond."