‘Meet the Team Edition’ is a new series where you get to know our WACI Health Team much better. This month we will be focusing on Nombasa Gxuluwe, the Programs Manager at WACI Health. She is a Health and Human Rights activist with extensive experience in campaigning, lobbying and advocacy.

Question: What made you interested in advocacy and how long have you worked in this field?

Answer:
It was a mere coincidence – during the period I had just completed my university education and was searching for work, I attended HIV Prevention workshops in my area, courtesy of my mother who happened to be a healthcare worker and facilitator of these workshops. I became passionate when I got to better understand the challenges South Africa was facing in regards to HIV/AIDS then and the scarcity of access to prevention measures as opposed to today. This became my entry into advocacy. I then began exploring other avenues as I wanted to be the change I wanted to see.

Question: What has your experience been at WACI and what are your key takeaways?

Answer:

It has been a wonderful experience. WACI Health has taken my work to new heights. I have been able to broaden my scope from local advocacy in South Africa to regional advocacy in Africa. I have come to realise that health challenges in Africa are quite similar and that we need to collectively put forward tremendous efforts in addressing these recurrent challenges by coming up with proper solutions. In addition, WACI Health is women-led, which is quite encouraging to me – seeing women in our society playing a big role in agitating for better healthcare in our continent.

Question: What advice would you give to Africans looking to strengthen their advocacy and pushing for health for all?

Answer:

First is to reduce the ignorance many of us have in regards to healthcare in Africa, so that there are many Africans understanding and tackling challenges affecting health in Africa. Mobilising Africans and informing them on the depth of the challenges we are currently facing and the cause of inaction would, in my opinion, grow the number of passionate and self driven Africans who would join the advocacy space and agitate for better healthcare services for their people.

Question: What challenges have you faced and how have they shaped you?

Answer:

Working with people with different backgrounds and beliefs is quite a challenge. It is important to always have alternative ideas and strategies in tackling challenges and delivery of objectives. Having an open mind and understanding people’s diversity helps me strategise and properly plan for myself. This helps diversify my approach in order to achieve my set goals and the goals of WACI Health.

Question: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Answer:

The biggest chunk of my work and passion is towards protecting human rights. My heart bleeds seeing what is currently happening in Africa and the passing of draconian laws. My hope is that in the next five years, we would manage to mobilise champions and voices that can talk more sense to power, and ensure people’s rights are protected and promoted in order for them to live freely and enjoy their freedom. On top of that, we must build a second layer of leadership by taking our youth to the table and ensuring that we have diverse approaches in tackling Africa’s healthcare problems.

Question: One interesting/ unique thing you love doing.

Answer:

I really love organising social gatherings that involve my family and friends. I ensure everything is in order and flows seamlessly as the event takes place.

Question: Best song you’re currently listening to?

Answer:

I currently love listening to Molo Sisi by our local artist, Mandisi Dyantis.