Team Members

Childrens.Commissioner@wccc.gov.za

Commissioner Sarah Roberts was appointed as the Western Cape Commissioner for Children for a five-year term from 1 October 2025. Her mandate is to promote and protect the rights, needs and interests of children in the province. The Commissioner is an oversight mechanism for the Departments of Education, Health and Wellness, Social Development, as well as Cultural Affairs and Sports. 

Roberts holds more than three decades of experience in the legal field. For the past 14 years, she served as Acting Magistrate in the Family and Children’s Court at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Courts. In this role, she worked daily with legislation central to children’s wellbeing, including the Children’s Act, Maintenance Act, Child Justice Act, Domestic Violence Act, Births and Deaths Registration Act, and the Schools Act, applying these laws to protect the rights of children and families.

Roberts has long been a trusted advocate for children in some of the province’s most vulnerable communities. She now brings this same commitment, expertise, and compassion to her role as Commissioner for Children.

Tessa.Goldschmidt@wccc.gov.za

Tessa Goldschmidt joined the Office of the Commissioner for Children on the 1 February 2021. Tessa provides administrative support to the Commissioner, is the liaison for the Child Government Monitors Initiative, and works alongside the Commissioner in communities listening to children, and parents, and making their voices heard in society. 

Tessa holds a Masters degree in Research Psychology and Bachelors degree (majoring in Psychology and Language and Communication Studies) from the University of the Western Cape. Her interests include child development and well-being, as well as nurturing parenting.

Malcolm.Hess@wccc.gov.za

Malcolm Hess joined the Office of the Children’s Commissioner in November 2023. He will support the Commissioner with the Monitoring mandate of the Office.

Malcolm has a strong background in community engagement and research as a Social Crime Prevention Project Manager, an Educator, and a Program Manager capacitating communities in urban and semi-urban settings.

He holds a Masters in Development Studies with an emphasis on social protection, development management, social policy and economics in development.

Xolane.Ndlovu@wccc.gov.za

Xolane Ndlovu joined the Office of the Children’s Commissioner in November 2023. He will support the Commissioner with the advocacy mandate of the Office.

 Xolane holds a Masters's degree in Political Science. He has a strong background in research, diplomatic missions, advocacy, and human rights. His work over the years has involved supporting policy research, monitoring and reporting on socioeconomic initiatives and managing community outreach programmes.

Mthuthuzeli.Ntseku@wccc.gov.za

Mthuthuzeli joined the office of the Children's Commissioner on 01 May 2023 as the Communications Officer in the Awareness unit. He will support the Commissioner in creating awareness and understanding of the Office, its mandate, projects and programmes and report on the Office’s activities.

He is a qualified journalist, with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Communications Management and has worked in mainstream media.

He has experience in teaching and learning and brings with him expertise and knowledge in the media industry. He is a community and youth development champion.