Orthalia Kunene is a dedicated activist and scholar with a strong commitment to defending civil society and human rights. She has a rich background in ecofeminism, climate justice, and grassroots activism. Orthalia holds an Honours degree, with her dissertation on Violence against anti-mining activists in Xolobeni. Her extensive experience includes working with organizations such as Extinction Rebellion Global Support and the Right to Know Campaign.
Martha has more 10 years’ experience overseeing workspaces and enabling efficient work operations.
Her experience in Development Communications spans Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sectors, Agriculture, Health, Governance, and Gender Justice. She has previously worked with the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM), the African Union and WaterAid.
She holds a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Bolton, United Kingdom, a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Malawi, and a Professional Certificate in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
Roland has over a decade of experience as a development finance specialist. He is the lead for Support to Improving the Investment and the Business Environment (SIBE), a European Union (EU) funded initiative seeking to improve business investments in the SADC region.
Roland holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Cape Town, and an MSc Degree in International Finance and Economic Development from the University of Kent. He also holds a PhD in Development Finance from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business.
Philani is responsible for grants management and project learning to inform decision-making for the Trust’s programmes. In his experience of more than 10 years, he has worked with various social justice organizations in South Africa.
Philani holds an MBA degree from Heriot-Watt, a Master of Arts degree in Politics, a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations, and an Honours degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the University of Pretoria.
With his strong background in accounting, Serge supports project implementation at the Trust. Previously, he worked in the finance department.
He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Financial Information System from the Vaal University of Technology.
Shumirai provides research, technical and advocacy assistance liaising with partners to support the strategic objectives of the Trust. She also provides programme and administrative support. She has 5 years’ experience in legal practice and worked in the non-profit sector focused on migration and displacement, child rights governance and poverty, sexual reproductive health rights, and poverty eradication.
She holds an LLB Degree (Honours) from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Postgraduate Qualification in Practical Legal Studies (Cum Laude), from the Kwa-Zulu Natal University. Further she completed a course on “Caring for Children Moving Alone: Protecting, Unaccompanied and Separated Children”, from The University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.”
Tshepo performs procurement and administration duties for the operations function at the Trust. He has over 13 years of office management experience working in the non-profit sector.
He holds a National Diploma in Marketing from the Tshwane University of Technology.
With more than 10 years’ experience working in the NGO sector, Calvin oversees the Trust’s financial records, tax compliance, operations, and payroll.
He holds a Bachelors of Commerce in Accounting and Auditing from North West University.
Raymond has over 18 years’ experience working in the private and public sectors, with 12 years at a senior managerial level focusing on financial management, strategy development, and implementation. Beyond his responsibility for budgets, expenditures, and cash flow forecasting, his role includes oversight for human resource management and implementing robust financial and IT systems.
Raymond holds a Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) and Master of Accounting from Wits University, and he is a member of the Institute of Risk Management South Africa.