About Us - Directors
Ms. Rose Molokoane, (Chairperson: uTshani Fund) Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor
Rose is also the Chairperson of the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor (FedUP), their national savings coordinator, and a Board Member of Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI). A South African veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, she is one of the most internationally recognized grassroots activists involved in land tenure and housing issues. She was previously the National Chairperson of the South African Homeless People?s Federation, a movement that operates under the same principles as FedUP and which has helped more than 150,000 squatters, the vast majority women, pool their savings. This has won them sufficient standing to negotiate with the government for a progressive housing policy that has already produced 15,000 new homes and secured more than 1,000 hectares of government land for development. SDI is a network of squatter groups on three continents. From her modest squatter home in Western Pretoria, Rose has travelled to Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines as well as many African nations to share SDI?s methods. She was awarded the Habitat Scroll of Honour in 2005 for her tireless struggle to bring land and homes to the poor.
Mr. Joel Bolnick, Director: Community Organisation Resoure Centre
Joel is a published author on many papers about political issue, particularly poverty, poverty alleviation and housing solutions. Some of his published works resulted in his arrest by the apartheid government. He left South Africa in 1978 and was granted political asylum in the United States. He completed his political studies degree at the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated with an upper second for his thesis Black Consciousness Theory and the 1976 Uprisings. His Masters degree focused on Working Class Culture in South Africa and Worldwide Insurrections of the 20TH Century. He has an extensive record in housing for the poor which dates back to 1991 when he was appointed Director of the People?s Dialogue on Land and Shelter, a Southern African NGO working on urban poverty issues. In 1996 he joined Shack Dwellers International as co-ordinator. He has served in his current position since 2001.
Prof. Mark Swilling, Professor and Director: Sustainability Institute
Mark is the Professor in the School of Public Management and Planning at the University of Stellenbosch and Division Head: Sustainable Development. He also serves as the Academic Director of the Sustainability Institute. He boasts an extensive record of service to his community; among these is his position as one of only eight experts selected to serve on the Review Advisory Group on Safeguard Standards convened by the Office of the President of the World Bank?s International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2000 to 2001. Safeguard Standards are the sustainability criteria applicable to all projects financed by the IFC. He consults to the City of Cape Town and Provincial Government on urban planning and building sustainable urban housing for disadvantaged communities.
Mr. Ted Baumann, Director: Habitat for Humanity International
Prior to joining Habitat for Humanity International, Ted was the Executive Director of uTshani Fund. He brings to the Board over 15 years of unique experience in the international non-profit development sector, specialising in low income housing, microfinance and poverty alleviation strategies at both grassroots community level and government/multilateral level. His many years of experience in international settings in regions such as Southern Africa, Eastern Africa and the Southeast Asia allow him to contribute solutions that have been tested in developing countries elsewhere. Among his extensive portfolio is a stint as a consultant to numerous multilateral, bilateral, government and non-profit agencies; six years? as executive director at a non-profit housing finance Company. His knowledge about financing housing for the poor dates to 1998 when he worked with the United Nations Development Programme.
Ms. Evelyn Benekane, Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor, Nelson Mandela Metropole, Eastern Cape
Evelyn is leading the movement in the Eastern Cape. She joined FedUP in 1995 as a way of taking ownership for the process of making housing delivery a reality for herself and her community in Joe Slovo. At the time of joining FedUP she was living in a flood zone but managed to agitate and petition for land in Joe Slovo, which has better drainage and therefore less frequent flooding. Although she still lives in a corrugated house, she feels in better control of the process and has saved R2050 since 1997 to contribute towards the building of her home. Evelyn is unemployed but is involved with other women in developing income generating projects such as recycling, bead work and sewing.
Mr. Patrick Matsimela, Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor
Patrick lives in Ou Kassie, a township in Britz in the North West. He has been involved with the Federation since 1998. He was inspired to become involved because of his situation when he was staying in a shack with his family and unemployed. Since then, he has been involved in the building of his own home and continues to be involved in FedUP to build homes of his neighbours and community. For him, FedUP is not only about seeing to house delivery but is also a vehicle to address other social issues. He believes that in serving on the Board of uTshani Fund he ensures that there is grassroots representation and delivery actually takes place.
Ms. Nombulelo Estav?o, Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor, KwaZulu Natal
Fondly known as MaMkhabela, Nombulelo has been with the Federation since 1998. She says she was bolstered into action by her own circumstances of absolute poverty. When she heard about the FedUP and how it aimed to help people become involved in housing delivery she wanted to be part of. Since then, other women in the federation have helped her build a home for herself and her children and now she is helping build other people?s homes. Serving on the Board of uTshani Fund is an opportunity for her to serve her community even further, she says. She believes she plays a critical oversight role by ensuring that funds are spent appropriately and distributed fairly. She hopes that private sector companies would get more involved in housing initiatives for the poor because the poor also benefit private sector companies in various ways.
Mr. Patrick Hunsley
Ex-officios:
Ms. Cheryl Ayogu, Chief Operations Officer: uTshani Fund
Cheryl has overall 15 years progressive professional experience as a Chief Operations Officer, Operations Manager, Communications Manager, Provincial Coordinator, Programme Officer, Office Manager, Manager, Assistant Manager, Small Business Counselor, Research Assistant, Marketing Research Student Counselor, and Resident Advisor in the commercial, non-governmental and healthcare industries. Her outstanding academic record includes two Dean Merit List awards and is currently undertaking the UCT Graduate School of Business Executive Management Programme. Cheryl?s technical expertise includes large volume, strategic and people leadership experience, leading and directing complex, large-scale projects with a history of working with large multi-functional teams across multiple sites. She also has extensive experience in operational management, human capital management, financial management, marketing and public relations and administration, all at a senior level. She has a proven track-record of strong commercial acumen to enable the optimization of core business process on a cross functional basis. She is adept at policy formulation, production of reports, advocacy, campaign management, project management, and staff development. Her ability to develop productive, meaningful stakeholder relationships is strongly evident. She is currently President of the Peninsula Chapter of the National Council of African Women.
Mr. Richard Graham, Chief Financial Officer: uTshani Fund
A chartered accountant and member of the Australian Institute, Richard has excellent experience in financial management and administration. He is extremely conscientious and mindful of conducting ethical business. He gained most of his work experience in Australia where he lived for 25 years. He has been with uTshani Fund since 2007.