Speakers

Tanele Maseko is a Swazi human rights activist and the widow of Thulani Maseko, a renowned Swazi human rights lawyer and peaceful pro-democracy leader. She is also the vice chairperson of Southern Defenders.

Writer and feminist with strong strong commitment to democratic and governance advocacy, women empowerment and digital rights

Legal Practitioner, Conveyancer and Notary Public, Makomborero is a former assistant at Fortune Consultants Private Limited. She is an alumni of the University of Zimbabwe were she obtained her Bachelor of Laws - LLB. degree

Thobekile has 10 years legal and civic engagement experience. She is passionate about serving underserved communities promoting human rights and advancing digital inclusion for all. She is a Mandela Washington Fellow and 2018 Regional Advisory Board Secretary for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Thobekile has advocacy expertise at national, regional and international level and holds Civic Leadership certification from Indiana University.

Hlengiwe is a Human Rights expert with experience working in the African Human Rights System. She is interested in social justice in the development discourse and natural resources governance. Her PhD research focuses on rights-based approaches to strengthening corporate accountability in the extractive sector in Africa, particularly focusing on how states undertake to eliminate exploitation by international monopolies.

Avani holds a BComm LLB (Pretoria) and is an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa; Director, ALT Advisory and Power Singh Inc

Helped create the Community of Democracies Working Group on Enabling and Protecting Civil Society in 2010, and he currently serves as a member of the Working Group. Mr. Jonen was also instrumental in establishing the Africa Democracy Forum (ADF), an African regional network of democrats.

Youth and female activisit. Zambia's youngest female mayor

Coordinator, South African BDS Coalition