Board members and senior staff at a recent meeting.

We are governed by a regional board made up of the chairs of the country boards. Board members are elected for three-year terms. Board members provide oversight, set policy and strategic plans and support activities.

Board members

Botswana: Felix Monggae

Kenya: Eliud Ngunjiri
Mr Ngunjiri is the founder and Executive Director of RODI: Resources Oriented Development Initiatives. He has 30 years’ experience in the areas of agricultural and pastoral work, community and rural development, organisational development, programme cycle management and emergency work. He has co-founded several civil society organisations and is board chair of a number of them. He has a post-graduate diploma in Rural Social Development from Reading University, UK.

Lesotho: Gladys Faku (vice-chair of PELUM Association)
Ms. Faku is the principal of Bishop Allard Vocational School in Lesotho, having previous taught at various schools. She has acquired experience in community-based development activities related to farming, health and socio-economic activities. She has also organised local and national farmers training workshops meetings and visits. Ms Faku has a BA from the National University of Lesotho, a teacher’s certificate from the Hermitage Training College and certificate in administration management.

Malawi: Prince Harvey Kapondamugaga
Mr Kapondamgaga is the Executive Director of Farmers Union of Malawi. He has extensive experience in programme management including strategy development, planning, reporting and results-based monitoring and evaluation. He is chairperson of the Conservation Agriculture National Steering Committee for Malawi and is a board member of the Malawi Lake Basin Program and the African Farm Radio Network Advisory Council. He has an MSc in Agriculture (Crop Protection) from the University of Malawi.

Rwanda: John Bideri (chair of PELUM Association)
Mr Bideri is the Executive Director of Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI) and Amizero Vocational Centre. He has in the last 23 years worked with farmers, particularly in the area of training, organisational development and leadership. He is a member of the Rwanda Economic and Social Council (RESC) on Land, Agriculture and Environment. He has a BSc in Agriculture (Hons) from Uganda Martyrs University.

South Africa: Koketso Mphahlele

Tanzania: Demetrius Kakowa Kazonde
Fr Kazonde is the Director of Caritas and Development Office in Sumbawanga Region, Tanzania. He is a board member of SHICANET (Southern Highland Caritas Network of Tanzania and of the Agricultural Reform Sector Committee in Tanzania (South Highlands). He has an MSc in Development Management from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Uganda: Agnes Kirabo
Ms Kirabo is the Communication and Advocacy Manager at VEDCO: Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns. She is the vice-chairperson of Uganda Land Alliance and has experience in agricultural and trade policy analysis, participatory and rights-based approaches, monitoring and documentation of community and programme experiences and performances in areas related to food security, income generation and livelihoods. She also has experience in planning and managing media campaigns. She has a BA in adult and community education from Kyambogo University and a certificate in records and information management from the Uganda Management Institute.

Zambia: Emmanuel Mutamba (treasurer of PELUM Association)
Mr Mutamba is the founder and Director of Green Living Movement. He has nine years’ experience in social research, community mobilisation, participatory monitoring and evaluation and project management. He is a trainer and has conducted training for many local and international institutions in leadership and conflict management skills, NGO management, campaign advocacy and lobbying and HIV/AIDS and gender mainstreaming. He holds a diploma in social work from Mulungushi University and a certificate in Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation from the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR)-Philippines.

Zimbabwe: Lewis Kudzanai Mashingaidze
Mr Mashingaidze is the director of Fambidzanai Permaculture Training Centre. He has experience in institutional and partnership building in rural development, facilitating participatory learning and development of permaculture as well as instructing agriculture and permaculture. He holds a Masters in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of the Free State in South Africa. He has several diploma and others certificates in agriculture, permaculture and NGO management.