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PRESS RELEASE 

14 APRIL  2022 

In October 2021 Iranti announced that its founding Director, Jabu Pereira would step down and exit the organisation. Today we announce the appointment of Nolwazi Tusini, Iranti’s Communications and Media Manager, and Jade Jacobs, Iranti’s Knowledge and Research Manager, as Iranti’s interim Co-Executive Directors. Tusini and Jacobs, both fierce feminists dedicated to advancing trans, intersex and LBQ rights will lead Iranti while the recruitment process for a new Executive Director or Co-Directors continues.   

After 10 years of building Iranti, Pereira, who has led the organisation with passion and creative vision since its inception, will step down at the end of April. 

Iranti has grown over the past decade from its foundational phase with a few volunteers, to a well-established organisation that has gained global respect for its media, advocacy and movement building work. Iranti’s twelve-person staff and a strong Board make the organisation ready for the next stage in its lifecycle. The Board has re-advertised the Executive Director post, with an option for two applicants to apply jointly as Co-directors and is confident that the management team will continue to ground and grow the organisation.  

Jade Jacobs has a Masters degree focused on the intersections of LGBTIQ+, deaf and religious identities from Wits University. They have over the past three years been instrumental in building Iranti’s programme and funding systems. Jade has designed regional campaigns and contributed to developing Iranti’s newly adopted 2022-2025 strategy. Jade Jacobs identifies as queer, non-binary, they are dedicated to attaining social justice.  

Nolwazi Tusini is a 2021 fellow of the Atlantic Fellowship for Racial Equity (AFRE) run by Columbia University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and a past Ruth First fellow. She is an award-winning broadcast journalist and gender rights activist who has successfully led editorial teams in South Africa’s biggest newsrooms. As a black, queer feminist, Nolwazi is known for using her role in the media to advocate for social justice. She brings 11 years of media experience and a talent for media advocacy and strategy to Iranti where she is building the organisation’s media unit.  

Both Jade and Nolwazi’s contributions thus far have deeply enriched the organisation’s work. 

“Iranti has always led in organisational development and its planned leadership transition is evidence of that. It reflects the maturity of the organisation and we are proud of Iranti’s sustainability. COVID-19 has also shown us how resilient we are – a tribute not only to Jabu’s leadership, but to every board and staff member. Jabu’s insights and wisdom will be missed. In this transitional period, we look forward to working with Nolwazi and Jade in the lead as we continue to build the organisation,” said Iranti Board chairperson Tashwill Esterhuizen. 

Outgoing Executive Director, Jabu, leaves a strong regional organisation, well respected for its creative use of media, narrative and evidence to advocate for LBQTI people’s rights. Jabu’s leadership of the past decade has consistently positioned Iranti as a thought leader in creating an integrated feminist framework to dismantle patriarchy and oppression. 

“Farewells are never easy. Iranti grounded me, as did the daily support of an amazing team and the collective energy and belief that without Iranti, Trans, Intersex and LBQ persons will have one less resource to lean into. Without an Iranti, there would be less quiver in state accountability. I look back and I feel immensely proud, and as I look ahead, I feel a sense of calm and peace that Iranti is here to continue its amazing work. I will follow and always support Iranti in kindness, love and solidarity. I am excited for a new and continued movement,” said Jabu.  

As Iranti looks towards its next decade, Nolwazi and Jade, in partnership with the entire Iranti team and our partners, will continue the work to imagine and advocate towards a just world that is free of homophobia, transphobia and intersexphobia.  

“Iranti is an incredible organisation, which consistently does exceptional media and advocacy. I am honoured to be part of this team and to be stepping into this role as we search for a new Executive Director. Jabu’s shoes are quite big shoes to fill, but I have faith in myself and my extremely strong team of lesbian, queer, trans, intersex, feminist fighters,” says Jade. 

“I am deeply honoured by the trust that the Board has placed in Jade and myself to be Iranti’s caretakers and feel incredibly lucky to be able to be a part of a team so dedicated to positively impacting queer lives. I am in awe of the amazing work Iranti has done in the past decade and am excited to be a part of the organisation’s future as we continue the work Jabu started,” says Nolwazi. 

END

For media enquiries contact:

Nolwazi Tusini, Communications and Media Manager   

nolwazi@iranti.org.za