A new transition phase for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

A new transition phase for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

Outgoing CEO, Konehali Gugushe paves the way for her successor

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund will be under new leadership for the second half of 2022, with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Konehali Gugushe having served her last day in June 2022.

According to the Board, Gugushe handed in her resignation in May 2022 and served her last day on 31 June 2022. She had served as CEO of the Children's Fund since March 2020 and will be now returning to her corporate social investment roots, according to the organisation. Her tenacity has paved her journey cultivating meaningful relationships throughout her professional career whilst taking on diverse roles.

She handed over her duties to Interim CEO, Dr Stanley Maphosa, who is acting in this capacity from 1 July 2022, until a replacement can be found. While the Board of Trustees at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund expressed disappointment with her departure, they’ve stated that they’re grateful to Gugushe who, in the past year, developed a new five-year 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,” they said.

As the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, she oversaw and contributed to the organisation's work in uplifting South African children and its youth.

Gugushe is dedicated to making a positive contribution to African development, community development and youth empowerment, today. Her journey, thus far, has taken the path towards successfully developing corporate governance and social responsibility. Her efforts are geared towards uplifting children and communities all over the nation.

Chairperson of the Fund’s Board, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro said Gugushe remains a champion of children and they are certain that as she embarks on a new chapter in her professional career, she will remain a staunch advocate of the Fund’s cause.

Ms Konehali Gugushe said it had been a pleasure for her to be able to lead the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. “When I was appointed in 2020, little did we know that our world was turned upside down by the global pandemic. And really, for the Fund, it was quite a big time of transition. It was a pleasure to work with the team to wrap up our 2016-2021 strategy which was called living the legacy.

“We took time to reflect, to identify the successes that we’ve achieved, but also most importantly, to identify the lessons that we needed to take into the next strategic plan,” she said.

Gugushe’s vision is to be an active participant in shaping a better future for generations to come, particularly contributing towards better social cohesion and community development. She has also participated in a number of functional and management related leadership training as part of her professional development.

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. •

VISION

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund strives to change the way society treats its children and youth. This long-term vision captures the central role society plays in shaping children’s lives.

MISSION

To give voice and dignity to the African child by building a rights-based movement.

Organisational values

• The absolute belief that all children should enjoy the absence of hunger, abuse, exploitation and homelessness, underpinned by a clear notion that the eradication of poverty and its systemic causes are the ultimate desired change as opposed to ameliorating difficult circumstances in which targeted beneficiaries find themselves.

• The belief that it is possible to have a world where children live with dignity, are safe, nurtured and their voices heard and that the transformation needed to create such a world needs every part of society to play its role.

• A commitment to applying holistic and integrated approaches that recognise and treat children as part of families and communities, with institutional placements applied as the exception.

• Children, youth and communities must participate in making decisions that affect their lives.