About Emthonjeni Counselling & Training
“Women are the people who are going to relieve us from all this oppression and depression.”
– Albertina Sisulu
our mission
To advocate for a world and environment where women and girls live freely without fear of abuse, or infringement of their human rights - Where they can influence change.
meet our team
Nomfundo Eland, Founder
Born from Nyanga in the Western cape, Cape Town known for violence and whose passion comes from experiencing sexual violence from a very young age, Nomfundo “Nono” is a gender and human rights activist, passionate about community and women empowerment.
Nomfundo (Nono) Eland is an activist with a particular interest in women’s rights and Gender Based Violence. She has extensive experience in issues around sexual and reproductive health, and HIV and community development work. She leads Emthonjeni Counselling and Training, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on women’s and young girls’ empowerment in Cape Town since 2010. She is also a former AVAC HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Fellow. A professional Life Coach , programme manager with over 20 years experience. A former South African National AIDS Council Women Sector Chairperson and renown international speaker of HIV and Gender Based Violence. Advocate for Female Condoms and Microbicides.
staff
Executive Director: Nomfundo Eland Mwanda
Programs Director: Zukiswa Ntshuntsha
Programmes Coordinator: Thembeka Mdunyelwa
Administrator: Nosiphiwo Nyakombi
Ambassadors/Facilitators: Asanda Madzikane, Esethu Magqazolo, Siphe Tyawana, Zimbini Makanda, Mandilakhe
board of directors
Chairperson: Veronica Keise
Deputy Chair: Asiphe Mkhentana
Secretary: Libongwe Shwane
Treasurer: Siphokazi Matholengwe
Additional: Mike
our vision
We are a well of information for women and girls to equip other women and girls to take power, use power and enforce what is rightfully theirs through harnessing the economic power of women and communities, promoting social inclusion, changing perceptions, and influencing policy. We're proud to deliver a broad range of services to women from diverse communities, inspiring them to become more economically active and personally fulfilled to make informed decision about their lives through a human rights lens.
our background
Emthonjeni is a community-based organization based in Khayelitsha, but works nationally on global projects targeting South African communities. It is led by women and specializes in the empowerment of women.
Emthonjeni is a Nguni name meaning “The well” with a key significance of where women used to come and draw water (life). This is a space where women counselled each other gave advice to both women and girls. A space used by women to empower and support one another. The organization seeks to do exactly that. Emthonjeni collaborates with key men’s organization and governments departments for critical matters to address issues such as of gender-based violence.
Our skills are drawn from our background in:
HIV PREVENTION
We have scientific and clinical background on HIV prevention, treatment and research (through our work with the Treatment Action Campaign Treatment Literacy project and IBase), AVAC Prevention as a fellow focusing on Prevention research and impact on women – specifically Microbicides. We’ve worked closely with the Caprisa Microbicide gel study, translating scientific information lay language. We’ve also conducted media interviews on behalf of women and through our work in the SANAC Women’s sector.
ADULT EDUCATION
• We hold a rich educational background on Adult education and Project management, Professional Life Coaching as well as research and M+E supplemented by over 20 years working in Community Developments Projects.
DONOR FUNDED PROGRAMMING
We’ve coordinated a wide variety of donor funded project and outreach programmes.
SOCIAL MOBILIZATION & ADVOCACY
Over 10 years of partnership with International Partnerships on Microbicides, Local / Provincial and National AIDS Council as well as presenting in International Conferences.
AIDS PREVENTION PARTNERSHIPS
We have more than 10 years partnership with International Partnerships on Microbicides, Local / Provincial and National AIDS Council as well as presenting at International Conferences.