SAROF SOUTH AFRICA

Mr  Eric Butoki Jean Madel is a refugee from Burundi living in SA since  2008. Bachelors in Community Development studies at ISGM (DRC ) 

Senior Certificate in Civilian Peace Building management ( St Augustine College of South Africa Johannesburg)

Doing Honors of Theological   Philosophy at Mukhanyo Theological University ( SA Pinetown Campus) 

Passionate in Refugee affairs since 2009.

Project director at Durban aid foundation 2016-2022.

Secretary General at Africa Refugee Social cooperation 2017-date.

Provincial Project Manager at Afrika Awake 2020-date

Mukandjwa Shomri is a dynamic and accomplished journalist, community leader, and passionate storyteller. 

Throughout  his academic journey, Shomari actively engaged with various community  organizations, fostering meaningful connections and cultivating valuable  experience. Key roles include:

-  Founder and President of Islamic Movement for Empowerment and  Development "IMED" (2006): IMED is an Islamic refugee community  organisation whose main is to look after abandoned refugee children.  IMED has looked after 20 abandoned refugees children and   sent them to  schools and vocational training centres, learning practical skills  despite financial constraints.Shomari was secretary of  Refugee Welfare  "RWC in 2005. Under his tenure of secretary, RWC successfully fought and  won against ALERT security company that exploited refugees and asylum  seekers by making them work under inhuman conditions as security  guards...and ALERT security company was subsequently deregistered and  ceased its operation after RWC has layed complaints to relevant  government departments and institutions.

Shomari  has been the chairperson of the Movement of Development for Congolese  in South Africa, MODECOSA since 2016.  MODECOSA is a self-help  organization with the main aim to supprting members financially in terms  of boosting small businesses. Every member of MODECOSA has equitably  benefitted from this programme.

Shomari  is also the co-founder of the Voice of Azania since 2019, an  organisation whose aim is to bring locals and non-locals together.

Shomari's professional endeavours have equipped him with:

- Strong research and interviewing skills,

- Effective communication and teamwork abilities,

- Proficiency in editing and content management systems, and 

-  a keen understanding of journalism ethics and law. He has thus far  written numerous articles on the refugee situation in South Africa,  including: The Voice of Voiceless Refugee in South Africa, in 2004,  where he talked about xenophobia and ill-treaments of refugees by  government and the total absence of humanitarian organisations; he also  wrote "The Categories of Xenophobia in South Africa", in 2017, defining  types of xenophobia,using for the time, terms like community,and  administrative or bureaucratic xenophobia

As  a dedicated community advocate, Shomari continues to contribute to  local initiatives, leveraging his journalism skills to amplify  marginalized voices.

Currently,  Shomari serves as the Chairperson of Emo 'ya M'mbembe M'mbondo "EMMSA,"  where they produce compelling work and drive community engagements. His  passion for equality and human dignity propel to enroll for a free  online human rights course starting soon.

Shomari commitments to community service and social responsibility make him a valuable asset to any organisation.".

Mr. Willy Mena Musenge holds an Honours degree in Development Studies and a Bachelor's degree  in General Management. He is currently the Director of the Refugee  Children’s Project (RCP) and serves on its Board of Directors. The  Refugee Children’s Project is a relief and advocacy organization that  assists migrants, as well as vulnerable, destitute, and marginalized  children, women, and families in and around Johannesburg, South Africa.

Before  being appointed Director in February 2020, Mena served as RCP's General  Program Manager, overseeing all of the organization's strategic  programs for over 15 years in South Africa. He also led RCP’s provincial  office in Limpopo, where he played a key role in the expansion of RCP's  work into other provinces, supporting refugees and migrants throughout  South Africa.

Prior to joining RCP,  Mena was a Project Director at the South African Refugee Action (SARA),  where he managed major research projects, advocacy efforts, and  evaluations. He has also been involved in various initiatives focused on  crime prevention among children and youth in South Africa.

Zaina Ramadhani is a vibrant and determined  young woman originally from Congo DRC, but South Africa has been my home  since the age of three. With the weight of being the third-born in a  family of eight, I have embraced responsibility from a young age,  nurturing my siblings as soon as I was tall enough to reach my mother's  stove. Despite growing up in a financially unstable environment, I have  never let that define my limits. Instead, it fuels my drive to build a  life of purpose and success, not just for myself, but for those around  me.

Currently an undergraduate, I do  my best to balances my studies, work, and entrepreneurial pursuits, all  while keeping an eye on the ultimate goal: uplifting herself and her  community.