Tambu Muzenda, the sustainability lead for education non-profit, Symphonia for South Africa (SSA), has been named by the Australian-based Global Reconciliation initiative as the sole South African recipient of its 2020 Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Fellowship.

In line with the fellowship’s purpose, this recognition is testament to Muzenda’s ground-breaking work in the field of gender reconciliation.

She has been described as an inspirational presence who actively leads on the basis of personal conviction, connecting local gender reconciliation related experiences to institutional policy development.

Of particular significance is her focus on Uncomfortable Conversations which bring men into conversation with women to address difficult issues. This method of conversational learning has deepened understanding of gender relations and demystify myths and misconceptions among vastly different populations.

Muzenda joined the SSA team in May 2020. Her role entails developing a fundraising strategy to enable the goals and objectives of the organisation.

She holds extensive knowledge of community development, the implementation of innovative programmes and strategic plans and has engaged in research, advocacy, campaigns, report writing, monitoring and evaluation, policy analysis, grant management for organisations and support to government departments on human rights-based approaches.

After eight months at SSA, Muzenda has indicated her intention to partner with a principal from an under-resourced school as part of SSA’s flagship programme, Partners for Possibility (PfP). The 12-month programme pairs business leaders and principals from under-resourced schools in an effort to capacitate principals and build their leadership skills. Since its inception in 2010, PfP has reached over 1350 principals from under-resourced schools in large metropoles and outlying rural areas.

Like all participants, Muzenda’s involvement as a business leader is dependent on funding. The cost of participation as business leader and my principal partner in 2021 is R122 000.

She has appealed to the private sector, trusts, foundations, international philanthropic donors and individuals to open their hearts, minds and their wallets.

‘’At Symphonia for South Africa, we believe that an investment in the upskilling and development of our school principals through the PfP programme is an investment in extraordinary impact for the benefit of future generations.  At a time like this, I truly feel that playing a role in my community is so critical to rise to our full potential and by my involvement, be one of the many seeds for more opportunities that builds our nation. A programme that uplifts our frontline leaders in education, our principals, and develops them to become better equipped, confident leaders in times of crisis. This  is so necessary because without skilled leadership, schools cannot provide the quality of education that gives young South African’s the opportunity to become productive members of society.’’

About Symphonia for South Africa

Symphonia for South Africa’s mission is to mobilise active citizenship around the significant issues facing South Africans. In pursuing this, this internationally recognised social enterprise has launched a number of programmes and initiatives that contribute to developing leadership capacity, reducing inequality and ultimately creating a better future for all South Africans.

For more information contact Dorcas Dube at Dorcas@Symphonia.net

*Copy submitted by Emma Dunk

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