Meet the team
Board of Directors
Dr Rosemary Kalenga
CHAIRPERSON
Dr. Rosemary Kalenga
CHAIRPERSON
Dr Rosemary Chimbala-Kalenga is a democratic, pace setter, visionary and compassionate leader. She is the current chairperson of the Boarder Rural Committee. She leads HIV & AIDS research at regional, provincial and national levels. She is well-published in both national and international accredited journals. Her passion for research is in HIV and AIDS, Gender-Based Violence, Educational Psychology, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, leadership and inclusive education management. She presents cutting-edge research to both national and international audiences. She is the main author for the book entitled: The complexities of HIV & AIDS. She is the sole author of the book entitled: The Lambas (IKS book). She currently holds the position of Director for HIV & AIDS Research Unit at the Nelson Mandela University.
Prof Johan ‘Monty’ Roodt
LAND EXPERT
Prof. Johan Roodt
LAND EXPERT
vMonty J. Roodt is a semi-retired Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Rhodes University in Makhanda. His research speciality is land reform and rural development. He completed his PhD on land restitution in South Africa after working for the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights for two years. He has been a member of BRC for 36 years, much of that time as a board member. He lives on a smallholding in the village of Bathurst, where he listens to local people’s stories, grows indigenous trees, makes cheese, and writes novels. He is married to Sarah Sephton, a human rights lawyer and advocate. Professor Roodt holds a Journalism and Media studies degree from Rhodes University, a master’s in Development Studies from Wits University, and a PhD in Sociology from Rhodes. He worked as a journalist on several South African newspapers. He has also published numerous journal articles and academic articles as chapters in books.
Ms Masada Somtsora
Treasurer
Masada Somtsora
TRESURER
Masada Somtsora is chartered accountant with a wealth of experience in the public and private sector space. She is currently consulting in the infrastructure space within government and is passionate about the development of rural areas and its people.
Mr Ludwe Majiza
COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
Click to view bio
Ludwe Majiza
COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
Ludwe Majiza is the Founder and Director of Vunikhaya Permaculture, a passionate young farmer who advocates for a just transition in food Sovereignty and Rural Development.
Mr Phumeza Grootboom
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Click to view bio
Phumeza Grootboom
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Phumeza has been with the organisation for more that 20 years and has been at the helm of the organisation for a decade. His speciality is in project management of multi-million rand projects. While BRC is a non-government organisation in his leadership he incorporates a business acumen which is key in ensuring survival of organisations during this time of dwindling traditional funding of the civil society sector. As a seasoned social facilitator, the MD is a valuable resource to the Eastern Cape as communities come knocking at BRC’s door requesting his skills in mediation – particularly on issues relating to land claims and post-settlement support.
Ms Nande Somtsora
FINANCE MANAGER
Nande Somtsora
FINANCE MANAGER
Nande Somtsora is an accurate and performance driven Finance manager with SAICA completed articles. Acquired a BCom Accounting degree at NMU and an Advanced Diploma in Accounting sciences from UNISA, with extensive experience from the banking industry, public and the private sector. She has recently joined BRC but believes in the mission and vision of the organisation.
Ms Sibulele Poswayo
RESOURCE MOBILISER & GENDER SPECIALIST
Sibulele Poswayo
RESOURCE MOBILISER & GENDER SPECIALIST
Sibulele is gender specialist and resource mobiliser at BRC.
Our Staff
Asanda Nginase
PROJECT OFFICER
Click to view bio
Ms Asanda Nginase
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Asanda has extensive administrative experience within the rural development sector. Currently she serves as a coordinator for BRC’s Gender Based Violence & Femicide (GBVF) programme. Her strengths are in alliance building within the GBVF Victim Empowerment space of the Province where she works with rural grassroots community based organisations specialisinging in GBVF survivor support. Asanda is passionate about elevating the VEP centres to better implement their intervention and prevention programmes through institutional support and capacity building.
Gail Scheepers
Senior Bookkeeper
Click to view bio
Gail Scheepers
ADMINISTRATOR
Gail is a seasoned Administrator and has contributed to BRC’s financial positioning for more than two decades
Nomonde Feliti
Project Officer
Click to view bio
Ms Nomonde Feliti
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Nomonde is an activist. She has been with BRC for more than 20 years. Her strength is in community facilicilitation. Within the Eastern Cape, she works for the Water for Food campaign with emphasis on agro-ecology for food security purposes. Through the Tshintsha Amakhaya (TA) land network she continues to work on issues pertaining to agro-ecology. Within BRC she continues to lead the Provincial team in the implementation of the Community Work Programme (CWP) and the Extended Public Work Programme (EPWP) programme. Nomonde is passionate about elevating black subsistance farmers to become small scale farmers.
If you would like to contribute to the work that we currently do, click below. We are always looking for volunteers or assistance with funding...