PREMIFLO leardership Team

Thembakazi holds an Honours degree in Development Studies and an MSc in Public Health specializing in Health Economics from the University of Cape Town. With over twenty years in the development sector, particularly in public health, she has worked across NGOs, academia, donor agencies, and government on initiatives addressing critical development issues.

Her journey began in social development, where her passion for community empowerment and human rights took root. Inspired by her upbringing in a farming community, Thembakazi advocates fiercely for the rights of marginalized communities and leads a community association focused on securing tenure for farm dwellers and community development. She believes that public health is deeply connected to social justice and community empowerment.

Obbey Mabena has dedicated his life to championing worker rights and social justice since the 1970s. His advocacy played a crucial role in enhancing labor conditions, showcasing his commitment to equality, democracy, and development. Beyond his union and political activism, Mabena has taken on strategic advisory roles and held executive positions in prominent companies within the security and IT sectors. His military and political background further underscores his multifaceted approach to societal change

Mandla Diko

Mandla Diko holds a BSc and BSc Hons in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Fort Hare, an MSc in Applied Statistics from the University of Pretoria, and a PhD in Statistics from the University of Amsterdam. He has worked as a Statistician at the Human Sciences Research Council and served as a Senior Lecturer at several institutions, including Walter Sisulu University and the University of the Free State.

Passionate about agriculture and rural development, Mandla began working on a 2-hectare garden with his mother, which continues to provide fruits and vegetables for the local community. In 2017, this garden was recognized as the best in the Eastern Cape for subsistence farming

Angelina Matsheke

Raised on a farm, Angelina is a dedicated subsistence farmer who took over her family's operations after her parents' retirement. She is a co-founder of the Gwatyu Communal Association, which advocates for transferring Gwatyu farms to their occupants, mostly former farm laborers. Angelina’s leadership emphasizes the transformative power of farming and community development in alleviating poverty, showcasing her commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.

Bantwini, a lifelong resident of a farm, has developed expertise in livestock farming, moving from farm worker to subsistence farmer. His migration to urban areas to support his family through remittances reflects the challenges faced by farmers. A passionate advocate for agriculture, Bantwini believes that farming can lift his community out of poverty, and he actively shares his knowledge to foster resilience among farm workers and their families.