Meet the COPESSA Team
Empowering communities and breaking the cycle of abuse
WHO WE ARE
Meet the COPESSA Team
Dr Nobulembu (Nobs) Mwanda
CEO
Dr Nobulembu (Nobs) Mwanda is a deeply passionate community development professional with cross disciplinary training and experience in medicine, especially medico-legal assessment, and support of sexually abused children; leadership; community mobilization and project management; resource mobilization; donor relationship management; and project execution at the community level. She holds a medical degree (MBBCh), and two master’s degree – Master of Science in Medicine- Community Paediatrics & Master of Public Heath – Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), all from the University of Witwatersrand As a founder and CEO of COPESSA, a multi-award-winning organization (including Shoprite Checkers Woman of the Year award), she currently works for, and a Board member currently serving on two Boards, viz. COPESSA and MTN Foundation, she brings a wealth of experience in thinking strategically and working to change social behaviour on the ground. She continues to improve her M&E skills, thus her accountability to both fundingorganisations and the beneficiaries of the programmes offered by COPESSA.
YVONNE MOTSISI
COPESSA DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Yvonne Motsisi is the CEO of Pristem South Africa, part of Pristem Global Diagnostics (Switzerland). With a distinguished career at Medscheme Holdings and Life Healthcare Group, she brings extensive leadership experience in private healthcare. She holds a BA in Social Science, a BA Honours, a Master’s in Industrial Relations (University of Sydney), and an MBA (University of Canberra). Yvonne is deeply committed to healthcare transformation and the upliftment of black communities through health and education. She has served as Chairperson of Aid for Aids, Sasol Inzalo ESOP Trust, and currently serves on the boards of Sasol Khanyisa and Sasol South Africa. She is also Deputy Chair of COPESSA, a multi-award-winning NPO focused on preventing violence against women and children. Her passion for people and impact continues to drive her purpose-led leadership.
Njabulo Mchunu
Finance
Njabulo Mchunu is a distinguished finance professional with extensive experience in the public sector. His expertise is centred on financial management, corporate governance, and auditing.
- Mchunu holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting, providing him with a strong theoretical foundation for his career.
- He has a proven track record in high-level financial leadership, having recently served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in various public sector institutions.
Mr. Mchunu currently contributes his expertise as a Council Member of CJC TVET College, where he plays a key role in the institution’s governance and strategic oversight
Kelebogile Nasie Lechela
Social Worker
Kelebogile Nasie Lechela is a qualified social worker who has been serving at COPESSA since 2017. In her role, she provides psychosocial counseling and leads community outreach and empowerment programs in effort towards supporting survivors of gender-based violence. With a deep commitment to healing and empowerment, Nasie works to restore dignity and promote the well being of vulnerable individuals and families. Her passion lies in helping people reclaim their voices and rebuild their lives through holistic, community-centered support. She continues to advocate for systemic change while walking closely with those in crisis, offering guidance, hope, and practical solutions.
SICEBISILE NONGCEBO MKHWANAZI
Social worker
I am an experienced and a qualified social worker with a thorough knowledge of child protection legislations for over six years. Experienced in managing assigned caseloads in an efficient manner, while utilizing exceptional time management skills to successfully advocate for clients and providing support to at risk children. Interviewing clients individually or in families, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs. Counselling individuals, families regarding issues including mental health, physical abuse, child and mental care. Very passionate about counselling adolescents whose behavior, school progress, mental or physical impairment indicate a need of assistance, diagnosing adolescents’ problems and arranging needed services. Linking clients to appropriate social services and monitoring them up until the goal is achieved. Providing bereavement support to families.
Sinawo Mgijima
Practitioner
Sinawo Mgijima is a passionate community development practitioner and monitoring and evaluation lead at COPESSA, committed to building safer, healthier communities. With a strong focus on gender-based violence prevention, and community empowerment, Sinawo leads and
supports various dialogues, workshops, and youth-centered initiatives that challenge harmful social norms and promote healing. Sinawo brings energy and empathy to every project, ensuring that
voices from all walks of life are heard and included
Mothobi Moreboli
Sales Manager
I am Soweto born and bred. I am retired information technology professional of over 40 years and a product of the Business Equipment Association Training Service (BEATS) which was sponsored by an association of business equipment original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), CDC, Rand Xerox. NCR, Burroughs, IBM and maybe one or two others. Upon completing my computer electronics training, my working life started at IBM in 1977 where I was to remain until 1999. In my 38 years of formal employment, I also worked for several other multinational and local bluechip companies that included Compaq, Mustek, Oatacentrix, SAP and Oracle. Over the period of my employment, I occupied various positions, initial as an IBM mainframe engineer and followed
by roles as an account manager, an I .T. hardware and software solutions sales representative as well as a sales manager. COPESSA is my first formal involvement in the world of humanities.
Tebogo Mothibedi
Social Auxiliary Worker
Social Auxiliary Worker with 3 years of experience at COPESSA under the Victim Empowerment Programme. Skilled in facilitating men’s dialogues, leading GBV awareness campaigns, and coordinating community outreaches. Passionate about promoting gender equality,
preventing gender-based violence, and empowering communities through education and engagement.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Our Volunteers
