Having said farewell to Struggles for Justice (SFJ) Programme interns Noorun-Nisaa Delate and Jabulile Chinamasa, SAHA is pleased to announce the arrival of three new staff members.
Amanda Rowen, a new Australian Volunteers International (AVI) volunteer, has joined the team at SAHA Web and Communications Coordinator.
Director of SAHA, Catherine Kennedy, commended the continued relationship with Australian Volunteers International (AVI): This longstanding partnership, dating back to 2003 has been critical to the growth and development of SAHA's ability to operate an archival agent for justice and accountability, particularly through the work of the Freedom of Information Programme. The commitment, energy, skills and experience that the various AVI volunteers have brought to SAHA over the years has really helped us to grow as an NGO and shaped the organisational culture for the better.
Amanda's placement at SAHA marks an exciting new phase in the partnership between SAHA and AVI - this is a brand new role, with Amanda working with the entire team to develop and embed better ways of communicating in all facets of SAHA's work.
Amanda is a communications professional from Canberra, Australia, with a background in public relations, marketing and journalism. She has previously worked as a Marketing and Communications Officer for the University of Southern Queensland (where she also completed her studies) and was working as a Senior Communications Officer for the Australian Government Department of Education before coming to South Africa.
"I’m very excited to be in South Africa and about my new role here at SAHA. SAHA struck me as an organisation of interest, particularly their role in documenting contemporary struggles for justice and alternate histories. There are some very interesting projects coming up for SAHA, so watch this space!" said Amanda.
Toerien van Wyk: Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) Coordinator
Toerien is an attorney with a background in human rights law who worked as a Legal Consultant for the South African Human Rights Commission before joining SAHA's FOIP team.
‘I am excited to join this group of passionate individuals and to play a role in the empowerment of people, through access to information. In the words of Kofi Annan (former Secretary-General of the United Nations) "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family."’ said Toerien.
Andisiwe Gcali: Struggles for Justice (SFJ) Programme Intern
Andisiwe graduated at Rhodes University in April with a Bachelor of Arts degree, psychology and sociology majors.
"I have an extensive interest in human rights and socio-political issues with dreams of becoming a great social activist and academic one day. I hope that I will learn as much as I can from SAHA." said Andisiwe.
