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Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

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Meet the Team

Staff

Sonia Chu

Sonia Chu

Human Resources and Office Manager

Sonia’s interest in office management began early in her career having been entrusted to organise and initiate office procedures that will improve the efficiency of the data processing division of a mega-retailer. Surrounded by computer experts this was where Sonia developed her keen interest in computer systems and applications. Sonia worked overseas with companies such as Shoemart, B2B enabler Global Sources, and the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce.

She’s perpetually grateful for the guidance of outstanding mentors who provided opportunities for growth and development that helped hone her operations and management skills. Her experience working with multinational companies made her appreciate diversity in the workplace and the important role of the human resources department in creating a work environment that is inclusive, motivated, resilient, and transformed. Sonia believes that it all starts from day one by providing a holistic onboarding experience to prepare everyone to succeed in their job.

Asked about her work at CER, she enjoys the variety of scopes and challenges that come with it. One has to be agile.

Before joining CER, Sonia worked for the non-profit the South African Education Project (SAEP) as Manager for Human Resources, Fundraising, and Sustainability where she was involved in organisational management, and strategy & policy development, and where she enjoyed sharing her skills and work experience mentoring junior colleagues and coaching young bridging students as they prepare for life at university and work. Inspiring the youth provides her with a sense of purpose.

Sonia has a Bachelor of Science Commerce degree in Economics from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Intramuros in Manila, and a certificate in IIE HR Management from Varsity College Cape Town. She loves family gatherings, bakes when she finds time and follows FIVB. She has a soft spot for Golden Retrievers.

Wandisa Phama

Wandisa Phama

Executive Director

Palesa Madi

Palesa Madi

Deputy Director - Programmes

Majury Chada

Majury Chada

Head of Operations

Brandon Abdinor

Brandon Abdinor

Climate Advocacy Lawyer

Lerato Balendran

Lerato Balendran

Head of Communications

Kim Blessie

Kim Blessie

Programme Administrator

Marchelino Brown

Marchelino Brown

Intern- Activist Support and Training Programme

Adelaide Chagopa

Adelaide Chagopa

Candidate Attorney

Annah Chirwa

Annah Chirwa

Office Assistant

Sonia Chu

Sonia Chu

Human Resources and Office Manager

Concelia Digoro

Concelia Digoro

Candidate Attorney

Linda Dlamini

Linda Dlamini

Candidate Attorney

Nonjabulo Doyisa

Nonjabulo Doyisa

Programme Administrator and Office Support

Leanne Govindsamy

Leanne Govindsamy

Programme Head: Corporate Accountability and Transparency

Itumeleng Mphake

Itumeleng Mphake

Candidate Attorney

Thobeka Gumede

Thobeka Gumede

Attorney

Catherine Horsfield

Catherine Horsfield

Programme Head: Mining

Matome Kapa

Matome Kapa

Programme Head: Activist Support & Training

Gabrielle Knott

Gabrielle Knott

Attorney

Michelle Koyama

Michelle Koyama

Attorney

Paul Lado

Paul Lado

Attorney

Noriza Lamani

Noriza Lamani

Office Assistant

Khumo Lesele

Khumo Lesele

Candidate Attorney

Agnes Ludada

Agnes Ludada

Office Assistant

Ntombi Maphosa

Ntombi Maphosa

Attorney

Danjelle Midgley

Danjelle Midgley

Attorney

Tarisai Mugunyani

Tarisai Mugunyani

Attorney

Tatenda Muponde

Tatenda Muponde

Attorney

Tefo Mxakaza

Tefo Mxakaza

Bookkeeper

Margo Newman

Margo Newman

Executive Assistant

Thami Nkosi

Thami Nkosi

Programme Administrator

Alice Nqoko

Alice Nqoko

Senior Administrator

Zahra Omar

Zahra Omar

Attorney

Tabitha Paine

Tabitha Paine

Attorney

Fadia Samuels

Fadia Samuels

Receptionist and Assistant Events Coordinator

Dimakatso Sefatsa

Dimakatso Sefatsa

Attorney

Michelle Sithole

Michelle Sithole

Attorney

Phumla Yeki

Phumla Yeki

Human Resources & Compliance Administrator