Meet the staff at Iranti
Iranti’s daily running and ongoing successes are thanks to a dedicated team of vibrant, talented staff members. Three overlapping groups within the team; Advocacy, Media and Finance/Logistics, work together to make Iranti’s Vision and Mission a reality.
Our team is not just the staff we employ, but also our consultants, interns, allies, friends and social media followers. We are more than a team. We are a community. Will you join us?
Akani Shimange
Executive Director
Akani Shimange has spent their career working collaboratively to build and strengthen the pan-African trans and gender diverse movement. Akani has a background in human rights advocacy, movement-building, programme leadership, and community engagement.
With a deep commitment to advancing the rights of marginalised communities, strengthening community-led responses and building partnerships that create meaningful and lasting impact, Akani brings strong, ethical leadership that reflects the values that have long shaped Iranti’s work.
Jabulani Chen Pereira
Founder | Former Executive Director
Jabu Pereira is the founder and former executive director of Iranti who exited the organisation in May 2022. Jabu is a strategist, facilitator and a visionary leader who aims to instil hope that change is possible when we build strong movements and develop a wealth of knowledge that shapes our future. He has pioneered work to strengthen the Trans rights movement in Africa.
His greatest desire is to see the impact we make through our fearless actions. He thrives best when building collective communities. Jabu wants to see a world that is safe, free, joyful, and capable of helping anyone in need.
Born in Gqeberha, South Africa, Jabu has a Masters degree in the Arts from New York University and has pioneered approaches to documentation, storytelling and advocacy as a method of advancing social justice.
Meet the Board Members
Tashwill Esterhuizen (Board Chairperson)
Tashwill is an attorney with over a decade of advocacy in the LGBTI human rights sector. They are a Legal Advisor with Amnesty International, a Mandela Washington fellow, and are completing their Master’s in Human Rights Law as an expert in strategic litigation. Tashwill held a key role in Botswana’s case for decriminalization, as well as litigation in support of a transgender activist in Zimbabwe.Tashwill is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jennifer Meer (Treasurer)
Jennifer is an experienced Healthcare Executive with over 40 years of Clinical and Managerial experience in both the Public and Private Health sectors. She has served as Hospital General Manager and has a proven record of improving operational performance, enhancing
patient care, and driving sustainable growth. Jennifer holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a BCur Nursing Degree, with a strong foundation in leadership, strategy, and healthcare
governance. Jenny is based in Durban, South Africa.
Sammie McJessie
Sammie is a prominent human rights activist in Malawi and the Executive Director at the Ivy Foundation
as well as the Vice Board Chair of the Southern African Intersex Forum (SAIF)
Allex Muller
Alex has over 15 years of experience in research and advocacy for health and human rights, with a special emphasis on rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Alex has worked with civil society and community-
based organisations to collate and translate research evidence into formats that inform strategic litigation, law and policy reform and guidelines for clinical practice. She brings experience leading diverse teams across global
locations, working with academic and independent researcher colleagues, civil society and grant-making
organisations.
Alex is a trained physician and holds a medical degree from the University of Göttingen. She is an honorary Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town’s Gender Health and Justice Research Unit.
Sally-Jean Shackleton
Sally has worked in civil society organisations for over 25 years, with a focus on the health, rights and freedoms of marginalised populations, including sex workers and trans people. She has previously worked as a facilitator, rights educator, materials developer and project manager and has directed two South African organisations. With experience working at all levels of civil society organising in multiple contexts, she brings extensive experience in NGO governnace. She is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Our Funding Partners
Our Funding Partners
As a Non-Profit Organisation, Iranti relies on an ever-changing list of funding partners for support. Our partners fund everything from daily operating costs and salaries for our team, to the vital activities, events and advocacy initiatives we work on. We are eternally grateful for their continued support. Should you wish to support Iranti as well, you can find out how here. We appreciate any possible assistance with our operating costs, or emergency support for victims of violence and discrimination. Every bit counts!
