As a coalition, We Will Speak Out South Africa IS its members and the work of the coalition is closely tied to the work of the individual and organisational members.
The Secretariat
The secreteriat acts as a coordination hub and assists and coordinates activities we do together. Due to the limited funding the secretariat at present has no full-time positions but we do have the following part-time staff members:
Daniela Gennrich – Part-time coordinator
Daniela Gennrich is a longstanding social, HIV and Gender activist, and a lay Canon in the Anglican Diocese of Natal. She has extensive experience as NGO director, consultant and workplace, leadership and life coach. Daniela holds three Masters degrees (the last in Gender, Religion and Health) and has led a number of publication projects. She lives in Durban with her husband and foster daughter, and has two adult sons. She believes the faith sector has a huge role to play in ending the epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence in South Africa.
Esperande Bigirimana – Part-time programme officer
is an advocate against sexual violence and a member of the Phephisa survivors Network in South Africa, as well as being part of the global survivor Network. Her research interests include sexual violence & HIV in the context of conflict, gender and development and creative healing for sexual violence survivors.
Lihle Cwinya Ai – Part-time savings officer
Lihle is a committed community worker with a passion to see change in women’s life. Her background is in working with faith based NGOs on SGBV, gun violence and empowerment.
Consultants are contracted for communications and M and E work.
Due to the limited financial resources the management committee plays an active role in ensuring the sustainability and activities of the coalition.
Management Committee:
Office Bearers
Acting Chair: Rev. Bafana Khumalo is Co-Executive Director at Sonke Gender Justice and one of the organizations’ co-founders. He previously served as co-director of the organisation and has a long and accomplished track record in the NGO sector. He has spoken and many national and international conferences and is the recipient of various awards.
Treasurer: Simon Read is a partner in an Accounting firm based in Glenwood, Durban, Anglican Lay Minister at St. Cyprians, Umbilo. Husband, father of two, step father of one and slave to 3 dogs, 3 chickens and two kittens. Avid board game player and cap wearer.
Coordinator: Daniela Gennrich (see above)
Other Members:
Amy Leigh Benn, has worked in the private sector and civil society, on topics ranging from poverty alleviation and gender justice to manufacturing and innovation. Research fascinates her, tea sustains her, and adventure thrills her. She would love to impact the lives of those around her, primarily through important conversations and relationships, that have the power to change the world.
Nompilo Gcwensa, is a representative of the Phepisa Survivor Network. She is the chairperson of this group of SGBV survivors based in KwaZulu Natal.
Ntwenhle Majozi
Esperance Matumaini is a leading champion in Phephisa network and passionate about fighting to end gender based violence against women.
Xana McCauley is a pastor and has been the COO of a NPO providing various care and support services for vulnerable and marginalised people for many years. She is an activist for justice and equality and believes that diversity promotes growth & stability.
Patricia Sabanyoni
Saydoon Nisa Sayed is a human rights peace activist. She serves as secretary of the KwaZulu-Natal Inter Religious Council (KZN IRC), as South African co-ordinator of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) and steering committee member of the African Union-Interfaith Dialogue Forum (AU-IFDF). Saydoon is also the former co-chair of the African Women of Faith Network (AWFN).
Lyn van Rooyen is a consultant with extensive experience in the NPO arena, particularly in communications, knowledge management and advocacy. She is passionate about the role faith communities can play in addressing HIV and gender-based violence. She act as communications consultant to WWSOSA and manages the website and social media for the coalition.