Our People

Philani employs approximately 400 staff members, the majority of whom are Mentor Mothers, recruited from and deployed into the communities they serve. We believe in employing skilled and capable staff while recognising the potential for building capacity in members of the communities where we operate.

Philani strongly believes in involving employees from all levels of the organisation in its decision-making processes. The fact that people with knowledge and understanding of the community have the opportunity to make management decisions is one of the reasons that the organisation survived the turbulent political times of the 1980s. Philani’s Management Committee has provided and continues to provide this vital link between management, staff and the communities we serve.

Our Patron

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is an active and committed patron and has faithfully supported Philani since he opened the Philani Development Centre on Freedom Day in 1995. In recognition of his 75th birthday in 2006, Philani became the beneficiary of funds which enabled the organisation to initiate the Desmond Tutu Scholarship Fund. This fund responds to the positive actions of mothers in the community providing them with assistance until they are able to support themselves.

Board of Trustees

Philani is a trust with trust deeds as its governing document and the final responsibility for the organisation rests with the Philani Board.

Our Board Members

Executive Committee

Philani’s Executive Committee is responsible for making and implementing decisions regarding the daily running of the organisation.  The Executive Committee is accountable to both the Board of Trustees as the governing body of the organisation and the Management Committee as representatives of the staff and communities that we serve.