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About

About SouthernDefenders

About SouthernDefenders

The SouthernDefenders embodies an ironclad commitment to protecting human rights defenders (HRDs) in the face of attacks and shrinking civic space, both offline and online. It coordinates regional efforts to provide rapid, practical, comprehensive, and inclusive protection support to HRDs at high risk, defend civic space, and empower HRDs to mitigate the effects of repression. To this end, the SouthernDefenders contribute to the respect and recognition of HRDs as legitimate actors and agents of social change with universally recognized and constitutionally guaranteed rights.

SouthernDefenders is a registered non-profit organization in South Africa and is governed by a constitution which establishes a secretariat and a management committee composed of members largely drawn from Steering Committee members and representatives of vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and under-represented communities. The SouthernDefenders has received the United States (US) Equivalence Determination Certification making it the equivalent of a public charity in the US. 

The SouthernDefenders is working on building a sustainable operating model, anchored on a diversified funding base, creative programming, and partnerships with like-minded organizations in the region and beyond.

  • Human rights defenders s, social justice activists, democracy activists and human rights defending organizations are protected and resilient, exercising agency by defending and advancing human rights in expanded civic space, reflecting a climate of freedom of expression, association, and assembly. 

TogetherWeDefend!

SoutherDefenders (W&OCLO2)

Programme Areas

Men in Black Outfit Raising Their Hands Outdoors - By corelens

Resilience and capacity development

Shadow of Protesters - By ertyo5

Effective, and holistic protection

Woman Painting on a Wall - By Brett Sayles from Pexels

Research, Advocacy, and Visibility

SoutherDefenders (W&OCLO2)

Safe but not silent

Our People

The SouthernDefenders is made up of the following organs: 

  • The general assembly; 
  • The management committee (SouthernDefenders  Board); 
  • The management sub-committees and; 
  • The secretariat

The SouthernDefenders Board is composed of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, the Treasurer, and four (4) other members elected from within members of the general assembly.  The SouthernDefenders Board is not remunerated for sitting on the Board as it is a pro bono function.

Member

Arnold Tsunga

Member
Member

Lepeli Moeketsi

Member
Member

Lucia Da Silveira

Member
Member

Pierre Tshibangu

Member
Board Chairperson

Prof. Adriano Alfredo Nuvunga

Board Chairperson
Member

Corlett Letlojane

Member
Tanele-Maseko-V1

Tanele Maseko

Vice Chairperson

#StandwitHER

SoutherDefenders (W&OCLO2)

Members

SouthernDefenders is comprised of individuals and organizations membership for the rest of the 16 Southern African countries. Currently, SouthernDefenders have the following organizational membership.

Partners

To ensure that the work of SouthernDefenders is effective and complimentary towards support and protection of HRDs in the Southern Africa region, SouthernDefenders partners with the following regional and international organizations.

Funders & Donors

SouthernDefenders is generous to the support that it receives to makes it possible to protect those that put themselves at risk defending human rights. Currently, SothernDefenders is or has received financial support from the funding partners below.