On Tuesday 4 February 2013 the Social Justice Coalition’s (SJC) Executive Council – the highest decision making body in the organisation comprising of elected leaders from each branch and the Secretariat – elected Phumeza Mlungwana to fill the position of General-Secretary, and Gavin Silber to fill the position of Deputy General-Secretary. For the first time, these elected office bearers will be based in the organisation on a full-time basis.
The Council meeting was the culmination of an exhaustive process spanning more than a month, during which branch members discussed criteria and nominated candidates. Until now a Coordinator – who was not an elected office-bearer – managed the organisation on a day-to-day basis. There has been consensus for some time that this would need to change.
The General-Secretary is the most senior political representative of the organisation. Mlungwana will oversee and support all programs and departments, and ensure that the organisation implements resolutions taken by Executive Council, the Secretariat and advances the principles enshrined in the SJC Constitution.
The Deputy General-Secretary will support the General-Secretary where necessary, and focus primarily on organizational development and management. A primary task over the coming three months will be facilitating the development of a detailed organisational strategic plan.
The Executive Council and Secretariat also resolved to task management with immediately filling two positions, which were vacated as a result of the appointments. Joel Bregman will become manager of the SJC’s Policy, Communication and Research (PCR) department; while Axolile Notywala will become the project manager of Imali Yethu. Both have worked within the organisation for many years, and have unique expertise necessary to allow for a smooth transition.
We believe that these appointments will allow the organisation to better build on the many achievements we have secured thus far. The incoming office bearers, Secretariat members and staff look forward to working even more intensively with our members and partners to advance our campaign for a safer Khayelitsha and South Africa over the coming months and years.
For more information please contact:
Mpumi Mantangana (Chairperson) – 0799927606
Phumeza Mlungwana (General-Secretary) – 0744178306
Gavin Silber (Deputy General-Secretary) – 0837779981