Tambu Muzenda, Sustainability and Fundraising Lead for education non-profit, Symphonia for South Africa (SSA), has been named by the Australian-based Global Reconciliation initiative as one of three recipients of its 2020 Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Fellowship.
This recognition is testament to Muzenda’s ground-breaking work in the field of gender reconciliation, which aligns with the fellowship’s purpose. Muzenda was described as “an inspirational presence who actively leads on the basis of personal conviction, connecting local gender-related experience 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 dislodged myths and misconceptions among vastly different populations.
Muzenda joined the SSA team in May 2020 to develop and then implement a fundraising strategy that enables the goals and objectives of the organisation. She has carried out research, advocacy, report writing, monitoring and evaluation, policy analysis, grant management for organisations and support to government departments on human rights-based approaches. She holds extensive knowledge of community development and the implementation of innovative programmes and strategic plans.
Muzenda said: ‘’At Symphonia for South Africa, we believe that an investment in the upskilling and development of our principals through the PfP programme is an investment in extraordinary impact for the benefit of future generations.
I would be so humbled to be part of a programme that truly builds our nation. A programme that empowers our frontline leaders in education, our principals, and develops them into competent and confident leaders.
This 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.’’
