Lerato Lebona

Chairperson

Lerato Lebona is a public health specialist with over ten years’ experience working in the public health field, both locally and regionally, in the areas of HIV/Aids, TB, gender and human sexuality and sexual reproductive health and rights. Lerato holds a Master’s of Public Health from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/Aids from UNISA and a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Psychology from the University of Pretoria. She has a deep passion for people’s health, access to quality health services and a patient-centred, human-rights approach to service delivery.

Dr Nicola Christofides

Deputy Chairperson

Nicola Christofides, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand where she heads up the Division of Health and Society. She has over 20 years’ experience leading research projects, including evaluating social and behaviour change programmes. Nicola was the principal investigator of a three-year evaluation of a community mobilisation intervention to prevent gender-based violence.

Peter Mazunga

Board Treasurer

Peter Mazunga is a PhD candidate at Rhodes University. His studies are focused on decision-making and Leadership in the NGO sector. He holds an MBA, Honors from the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and a BCompt degree in Financial Accounting. In addition, he is a qualified Chartered Secretary and a qualified Chartered Governance Professional and belongs to The Institute of Directors South Africa. Peter has over 20 years of experience in finance, administration, and operations both in the corporate and non-profit sectors. He sits on several boards where he is the Treasurer and Chairs the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committees steering the risk, compliance, financial governance, and sustainability matters. Peter is currently the Finance Manager at BroadReach Health Development.

Dr Allanise Cloete

Dr Allanise Cloete is a chief research specialist in the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC’s) Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) research division. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of the Western Cape (2018). Cloete specialises in stigma and discrimination experienced by under-served, vulnerable, and marginalized communities, focusing on the social exclusion and marginalization of key and vulnerable groups, including lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer+ (LGBTIQ+) persons and other groups who experience stigmatization because of their HIV-positive status or vulnerability to acquiring HIV and their gender non-conformity.

Anele Siswana

Anele Siswana, a distinguished graduate in clinical psychology from Rhodes University, stands as a thought leader and trailblaser in the field of psychology. As a registered clinical psychologist with HPCSA, Anele’s journey has been characterised by a relentless commitment to transforming mental health care and making it more accessible to all South Africans. Anele’s impact transcends professional boundaries. He has emerged as a prominent brand influencer, partnering with various campaigns focusing on mental health, culture, identity, diversity, and inclusion. His role as a corporate wellness consultant further highlights his commitment to raising awareness about mental health and providing essential psychological and consulting services.

Anthony (Tony) Diesel

Tony Diesel is the Country Director of South Africa Partners, an international non-profit organisation. He has over 30 years’ work experience in the South African health sector. He serves on several NPO boards as a voluntary director. He qualified as a registered nurse in 1985 and has completed numerous courses to supplement that initial qualification, among others, a BA Cur in Administration and Education, an HR diploma and a Master’s in Business Administration. He has been specifically working in the HIV environment from the early 2000s.

Philip Browne

Philip Browne is a development sector specialist with more than 20 years of experience working in the Southern, Eastern and Western African regions in the areas of evaluation, sexual and reproductive health, HIV and TB, gender equality and women’s empowerment, LGBTIQ issues and human rights. Philip holds a Master of Education (University of Cape Town) and a Master of Public and Development Management (University of the Witwatersrand). Philip works as an independent consultant and has taken on assignments with government ministries, bilateral and multilateral agencies, the private sector and civil society.

The OUT Board