Our people

Philani employs approximately 350 staff members operating in both the Western and Eastern Cape, primarily Mentor Mothers recruited from the communities they serve. We operate with a horizontal leadership structure, with managers overseeing specific programs, including finance, training, early childhood development (ECD), and social work. The Mentor Mother Programme has three managers supervising 60-100 community health workers each. Our leadership team reports to the Director and Board, ensuring effective oversight. Additional administrative and maintenance staff support day-to-day operations.

The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu was an active and committed Patron and faithfully supported Philani from the day 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 and Leah Tutu Support Fund. This fund responds to the positive actions of mothers in the community providing them with assistance to overcome some of life’s hard challenges.

Mrs Nomaliso Leah Tutu took over as Patron when the Archbishop passed away in 2021.

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

Prof Annette Seegers – Chairperson
Mr Colin Moses – Treasurer
Mr Jonathan Mort – Legal portifolio
Dr Ingrid le Roux – Director
Ms Lindiwe Bomvana – Educare Coordinator

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.

Dr Ingrid le Roux – Director
Ms Lindiwe Bomvana – ECD coordinator
Ms Naomi Viljoen – HR Manager