SADC: GL welcomes new ED and two new board members

For immediate release:

Johannesburg, 14 January: The Gender Links (GL) Board is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Executive Director, Kubi Rama (South Africa) and two board members, Marie Annick Savripenne (Mauritius) and Celine Marie Yolande (Madagascar) effective 1 January 2021.

Rama served as Deputy CEO and brings more than 25 years of experience to the position. The incoming Board members, Yolande, is the President of Federation Pour la Promotin Feminine et Enfantine (FPPE) in Madagascar, while Savripene is a renowned journalist and editor in Mauritius.

“I would like to thank the Gender Links Association, Board and particularly Colleen Lowe Morna, outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO), for their confidence and trust. This appointment means a lot to me and I will do my very best to uphold GL’s values and high standards. The succession has been seamless underpinned by mutual respect and a commitment to ensure that GL goes from strength to strength to achieve an inclusive, equal and just society in SADC,” said Rama.

Rama takes over from GL founder and CEO, Colleen Lowe Morna, who is now Special Advisor to the Board responsible for the Sustainability Hub. This hub is GL’s income generating arm which brings together its intellectual and physical properties to help sustain GL for the future.

“Kubi and I have worked together for over 15 years in various roles at GL. Over the last year, in her capacity as Deputy CEO, she understudied all the key executive functions of the organisation, in readiness for her new role. She brings a wealth of experience, passion and commitment to the job. She will bring fresh energy and innovation during this critical period in the life of all Women’s Rights Organisations,” said Lowe Morna.

“I thank the GL Board for its vision in opting for a succession model that assigns the founder some key long term tasks as she exits to ensure stability and sustainability. I look forward to the new challenge of developing an anchor for GL as we build up to our twentieth anniversary,” she added.

Emily Brown, Chairperson of the Board noted that, “planning for the future is a necessity in any organisation and GL has done so quite progressively. The succession received the time, consultation and study required to ensure a gradual handover in the leadership of the organisation. This ensured the desired mentoring, training and grooming of staff remains a priority so that service-delivery would never be compromised and that the team would feel valued and trusted.”

Kubeshni Govender, Chairperson of the Association added: “GL has proven itself in purpose, action and sustainability. Over these two decades we have seen challenges and victories. Regardless of the circumstances, GL has always moved forward. Our leadership transition is a mark of renewal during the most difficult of times.  We are deeply grateful to our founder Colleen Lowe Morna who has guided a remarkable path and keenly look to the steady, grounded leadership of Kubi Rama as our journey continues.”

Pat Made , Loga Virahsawmy and Thoko Mpumlwana have retired from the Board after serving three terms. Made and Mpumlwana will join the GL Association.

For more information contact Tarisai Nyamweda, Communications for Social Change Manager  on media@genderlinks.org.za or call  +27 76291 9227 /+27 11 029 0006