UPDATE FROM THE NELSON MANDELA CHILDREN’S FUND

The Board of Trustees at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) would like to announce the resignation of the Fund’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Konehali Gugushe.  Gugushe served as CEO from 01 March 2020 and handed in her resignation, which was accepted by the board, in May 2022. She will serve her last day on 31 June 2022.

Gugushe will hand over her duties to Interim CEO, Dr Stanley Maphosa, who will act in this capacity from 01 July 2022, until a replacement can be found.

While saddened by the resignation, the Board would like to extend its gratitude to Gugushe who in the past year, developed a new five-year (2022 – 2026) strategy for the Fund, which brought depth to the organisation’s strategic framework including the integration of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in the Fund’s key programme areas.

Gugushe was also integral in overseeing the organisation’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, mitigating its impact on vulnerable communities, as well as advancing the Fund’s advocacy efforts through thought-leadership and lobbying for positive change in legislation affecting the lives of children in our country.

Chairperson of the Fund’s Board, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, confirmed that Gugushe will return to her corporate social investment roots.  “Ms Gugushe remains a champion of children and we are certain that as she embarks on a new chapter in her professional career, she will remain a staunch advocate of our cause.”

Mokgoro says that the Board has placed its confidence Maphosa, to lead the organisation through this brief period of transition. Maphosa previously served as the Chief Programmes Director at the Fund. “Dr Maphosa is well-placed to ensure continuity of the Fund’s work after playing a critical role overseeing all the strategic areas of the organisation since his appointment in xxx 2021. With his vast experience in the NGO sector as well as his passion for promotion of children’s rights, we have no doubt that he will take our cause forward until a replacement is found in due time.”

Maphosa says, “I have learnt a lot from my time working closely with our former CEO in the development of our new strategy and I look forward to the next month when we will once again work closely to ensure a smooth handover of her duties.”
Maphosa will lead the organisation’s 27-year birthday celebrations and the Fund’s Annual Children’s celebrations in July. The Fund will provide more details in the next month around these activities where donors, partners, beneficiaries of the Fund will be encouraged to celebrate this milestone.
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The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) is a social development agency founded by former president, Mr Nelson Mandela in 1995. In line with its vision to Change the Way Society Treats its Children and youth, the Fund’s mission is to give voice and dignity to the African child by building a rights-based movement. The organisation’s strategic programmes include, Child Safety and Protection, Child Survival Development and Thriving, Sustainable Livelihoods, Youth Leadership and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg.
For more information contact:
Nomthi Mnisi
Chief Business Engagement Officer
Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
nomthi@nmcf.co.za
OR
Ayabulela Poro
Manager: Communications and Marketing
ayabulelap@nmcf.co.za
Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
Telephone: 011 274 5600