SADRA - South African Development and Reconstruction Agency

SADRA is driven by a dedicated and diverse operations team that plays a crucial role in advancing our mission of promoting development and reconciliation in South Africa. Our team consists of individuals with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds, including leaders in business, civil society, and academia. These committed professionals bring their collective wisdom, experience, and passion to the organization, ensuring that SADRA’s initiatives are implemented with sound governance, inclusivity, and a strong commitment to fostering social and economic progress.

Leadership

Oscar Siwali

Founder & Managing Director

Oscar Siwali is a renowned Conflict Resolution expert and peacebuilder, serving as the Founder and Director of the Southern African Development and Reconstruction Agency (SADRA). Since its registration in 2013, SADRA has played a pivotal role in transforming communities across Southern Africa through conflict transformation initiatives, training, and research. With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Oscar’s work has deeply impacted various sectors, including human rights, peacebuilding, and electoral conflict management.

Professional Experience

Oscar’s career in peacebuilding began with his involvement in several key South African organizations, such as the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR), where he worked as a Senior Project Officer and Project Coordinator. There, he spearheaded the Mediation and Training Services and the Conflict Intervention and Peacebuilding Support Projects. His experience ranges from facilitating community conflict resolution to overseeing international peace efforts. Oscar has worked extensively in South Africa and across the African continent, collaborating with governments, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and traditional leaders in countries such as Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda.

A significant part of his career has also been dedicated to election monitoring and mediation during electoral conflicts. Oscar has served as an election observer and conflict resolution panellist for both the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Panel of Eminent People. His insights and leadership have helped mediate disputes, prevent violence, and promote democratic practices across the region.

Leadership at SADRA

Under Oscar’s leadership, SADRA has trained more than 2,200 certified conflict mediators, primarily from church and community organizations. SADRA’s peace education programs are rooted in the belief that community and religious leaders play a crucial role in resolving societal conflicts. Through partnerships with entities such as the South African Council of Churches and Mennonite Mission Network, Oscar has been instrumental in fostering dialogue and providing mediation training across various sectors of society. His work has empowered many to tackle issues such as sexual violence, bullying, and church conflicts, particularly in the context of South Africa’s post-apartheid society​.
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Academic and Professional Qualifications

Oscar holds an impressive academic background that complements his vast practical experience:

  • Master of Arts (MA) in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) at Eastern Mennonite University, USA.
  • Bachelor of Theology and Licentiate in Theology from the University of Fort Hare and Baptist International Theological Seminary, respectively.
  • Extensive coursework in Conflict Management, Non-Violence, Human Rights, and Election Observation.

Oscar’s commitment to continuous learning is reflected in his various certifications, including a specialization in Election Observation and Assistance from the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution. His academic and training background has equipped him with a broad set of skills, including conflict analysis, trauma awareness, and restorative justice.

Vision and Future Goals

Oscar’s career objective is to deepen his involvement in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and election monitoring. He aims to further pursue a Doctoral Degree in Conflict Transformation, with a vision of becoming a leading professional in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and mediation in Africa. His long-term goal is to continue transferring his expertise to future generations, ensuring that the knowledge and skills he has accumulated over decades will empower communities for years to come.

Personal Life

Oscar is deeply rooted in his faith, serving as an ordained minister with over 28 years of experience as a pastor. He is married to Zandile and has three children. His journey from pastoral work to peacebuilding reflects his deep love for people and his desire to contribute to the well-being of society through transformative leadership.

Oscar’s dedication to his community and his ability to navigate the complex landscape of conflict resolution make him a visionary leader in the field of peacebuilding and mediation.

Zanele Kolo

Project Manager

Zanele is a dedicated Project Officer and peacebuilding practitioner.
She works with SADRA Conflict Transformation.

Transformation, empowering communities and
schools through conflict resolution, mediation, and leadership training.

With a passion for community development, Zanele facilitates workshops, observes elections, and promotes gender-based violence awareness.

She continues to learn and share new approaches to build peaceful communities.

Babalwa Klaasen

Administrator

Babalwa is highly motivated and detail-oriented administrative professional with a background in Financial Management.

She worked as a Finance admin Clerk, where she honed her expertise in Financial administration.

Currently, she is an Admin professional dedicated to delivering exceptional support and driving efficient operation with attention to detail.

Bulelwa Ngcobozi

Finance Officer

Bulelwa holds a qualification in Cost and Management Accounting from CPUT.

Her career journey began with an internship at our accounting partner, SNCTAX, followed by valuable experience at Ntswayi Accounting and Audit also work at Maitland Group.

She serves as a Bookkeeper at SADRA, where she applies her skills and knowledge to deliver accurate and efficient financial solutions.

With a strong foundation in accounting principles and passion for continuous learning, she is committed to making a positive impact in SADRA and the financial sector.

Funding & Donations

Dr. Paul Dalmeyer

Funds & Donations

Dr. Paul Dalmeyer is a highly respected fertility specialist and an influential figure in the fields of Reproductive Medicine and Menopausal Health. With a distinguished medical career spanning over 40 years, Dr. Dalmeyer has made significant contributions to advancing fertility treatments and reproductive health.

Education and Medical Qualifications

  • MB.Ch.B. (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) – University of Pretoria
  • FCOG (SA) – Qualified as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist from the University of Cape Town.
  • Ph.D. – “A Business Model for Medical Subspecialty Training in South Africa” – Nelson Mandela University.
  • Registered Reproductive Specialist with the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).

Career and Achievements

He played a pioneering role in the development of fertility treatments in South Africa. He co-initiated the Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) service at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1983, an achievement that established South Africa as a leader in reproductive health and founded the PE Infertility Clinic, now known as Fembrio Fertility Clinic in Port Elizabeth, which has become a renowned center for reproductive health.

Professional Leadership and Contributions

Dr. Dalmeyer’s influence extends beyond clinical practice. He is a co-founder and past chairman of the Southern African Society of Reproductive Science and Surgery (SASREG), as well as the co-founder and past president of the South African Menopause Society (SAMS). where he served as its past president.

His international work includes serving as a board member of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS). His leadership and commitment to the field were recognized when he was awarded the SASREG Honorary Award in 2014 for his exceptional service to reproductive medicine. In 2020, he received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG), highlighting his enduring legacy in women’s health.

Other Roles and Contributions

In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Dalmeyer has held various prestigious positions:

  • Non-Executive Director on the shareholders’ board of Life Healthcare (LHC).
  • Part-time Lecturer at the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University since 2013.
  • Dr. Dalmeyer is also a trained mediator, which adds a unique dimension to his work in dealing medico legal disputes.

Legacy and Impact

Through his pioneering work and leadership in fertility and reproductive medicine, Dr. Dalmeyer has significantly impacted the field both in South Africa and internationally. His contributions

SADRA - South African Development and Reconstruction Agency

Our Board

SADRA is guided by a dedicated and diverse group of board members who play a pivotal role in advancing the organisation’s mission of promoting development and reconciliation in South Africa.
The board comprises individuals with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds, including prominent leaders in business, civil society, and academia. These esteemed individuals bring their collective wisdom, experience, and passion to the table, ensuring that SADRA’s initiatives are grounded in sound governance, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to fostering social and economic progress.

Kitty Douglas-Jones

Owner
Douglas Jones Trading

Xolile Kosi

Manager: Local Economic Development (LED), Overstrand Municipality
Pastor: Word of God Bible Church

Sapho Gwadiso CA (SA)

Senior Lecturer – Financial Reporting
University of Cape Town

Olajide Pariola

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Francheska Subban

Admitted Attorney
Compliance Officer- Financial Industry

SADRA - South African Development and Reconstruction Agency

Our Patrons

SADRA is honored to be guided by a distinguished group of patrons who play a crucial role in directing the organization’s mission of promoting development and reconciliation in South Africa. Our patrons encompass a diverse range of expertise and backgrounds, including influential leaders in business, civil society, and academia. These esteemed individuals contribute their collective wisdom, experience, and passion, ensuring that SADRA’s initiatives are founded on robust governance, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to fostering social and economic progress.

Dr. John D Volmink SADRA

Dr. John D. Volmink

Dr Volmink was born and raised in Athlone, Cape Town in South Africa. He started his academic career at the University of Western Cape, where he completed the BSc degree in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Physics and then completed the BSc(Hons) degree in Physics in 1975. He later went to Cornell University, Ithaca NY, where he completed the MSc (1983) and PhD (1988) in mathematics education.

He started his career as a high school teacher and later became the Head of Mathematics at the then Peninsula Technikon. He also held various other teaching positions including the University of Western Cape, University of Cape Town and Cornell University. He returned to Southern Africa in 1990 after almost a decade in the USA.

After a brief stay at the University of Botswana in Gaborone he returned to South Africa in 1991 and immediately got involved in development initiatives as the Director of the Centre for Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education at UKZN in Durban as well as other partnership programmes in KwaZulu-Natal and elsewhere in South Africa.

Dr Volmink later served as Campus Vice-Principal at the then University of Natal, Durban and later became Pro-Vice Chancellor: Partnerships at the University of KwaZulu-Natal until 2004. He was the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Christian College for five years. He very recently served as Interim Vice-Chancellor at Durban University of Technology. He holds the position of Extraordinary Professor at North West University, Mafikeng Campus.

He has also been centrally involved in curriculum reform in post-apartheid South Africa and has been asked by all four Ministers of Education to play a leading role in the transformation of education in the new South Africa. He has also served on several Ministerial Task Teams involving education.

He has served for four years as the Chairperson of Umalusi Council (re-appointed for the period 2014 to 2018), the statutory body that monitors and improves the quality of general and further education and training in South Africa and more recently the CEO of the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU).

Dr Volmink continues to provide leadership on the Boards of several South African non-governmental development organisations and Foundations involved in education, health and community upliftment and has also been involved in a Leadership Development Programme for Members of Parliament.

He has served three university councils, viz, University of Kwazulu Natal, Durban University of Technology and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Dr Max Price SADRA

Dr. Max Price

Dr. Max Price is a distinguished academic and administrator who has made significant contributions to higher education and institutional leadership, particularly in the field of medicine and university management.

He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) in the late 1970s. His interest in medicine and healthcare would later intersect with his passion for education and leadership. Following his graduation, Max Price worked as a medical doctor for several years, gaining valuable experience in the healthcare sector. This early experience provided him with a deep understanding of the healthcare system in South Africa, which would prove invaluable in his future roles. Max also earned a BA (Hons) PPE from Oxford University, an M.Sc in Community Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Diploma in Occupational Health from Wits University.

Dr. Price’s leadership abilities were recognised early in his career, and he assumed various roles within the academic community. Notably, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at WITS University from 1996 to 2006, where he played a crucial role in expanding the faculty’s research and teaching capabilities. His tenure also saw a focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity within the university.

In 2008, Max Price was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, one of the leading universities in Africa. Under his leadership, UCT continued to thrive academically and became renowned for its commitment to social justice, sustainability, and excellence in research and teaching.

During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, Max Price faced various challenges, including student protests and financial pressures, but he remained committed to creating an inclusive and socially responsible institution. His vision for UCT emphasised access to quality education for all, regardless of socio-economic background.

Dr. Max Price’s leadership at the University of Cape Town left a lasting legacy. He strengthened UCT’s global reputation and positioned it as a leading institution in Africa. His dedication to advancing healthcare, education, and social justice in South Africa has had a significant and positive impact on both the university and the country as a whole.

He also consults in public health, higher education, strategic leadership and advises foundations on research grant making. 

Charles Villa-Vicencio SADRA

Charles Villa-Vicencio

Charles Villa-Vicencio is a prominent South African theologian, academic, and human rights advocate who has played a significant role in the country’s struggle against apartheid and its subsequent transition to democracy. Born in New York City, his life and career have been marked by a commitment to social justice, reconciliation, and the promotion of human rights.

Villa-Vicencio’s early life was shaped by his deep concern for issues of racial injustice and inequality. He earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Theological School of Drew University in New Jersey and a Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. These academic pursuits laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to theology and human rights.

His journey to South Africa in the 1960s was a pivotal moment in his life. During this period, apartheid was in full force, and the country was deeply divided along racial lines. Villa-Vicencio quickly became involved in the anti-apartheid movement, working alongside prominent figures like Desmond Tutu and Allan Boesak. His efforts were concentrated on advocating for justice, equality, and reconciliation in a country torn apart by racial discrimination.

In the 1980s, Charles Villa-Vicencio’s commitment to human rights and reconciliation took on a new dimension when he co-founded the Institute for Contextual Theology, an organisation dedicated to exploring the intersections of theology, social justice, and the South African context. This institute played a crucial role in challenging apartheid theologically and intellectually, contributing to the dismantling of apartheid policies.

Villa-Vicencio’s work continued to evolve in the post-apartheid era. He was a member of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a groundbreaking initiative established to address the atrocities and human rights abuses committed during apartheid. As the Director of Research for the TRC, he played a central role in documenting the stories of victims and perpetrators, seeking truth, and promoting reconciliation. His work on the TRC exemplified his dedication to healing the wounds of a deeply divided nation.

Throughout his career, Villa-Vicencio has published numerous books and articles on theology, reconciliation, and human rights. His writings have made significant contributions to the fields of political theology and conflict resolution.

Charles Villa-Vicencio’s life and work embody the values of justice, reconciliation, and human dignity. His tireless efforts in the struggle against apartheid and his subsequent work in reconciliation have left an indelible mark on South Africa and the global human rights community. He continues to inspire individuals and organisations dedicated to fostering peace, justice, and reconciliation in societies grappling with legacies of conflict and oppression.

He is Emeritus Professor of Religion and Society at the University of Cape Town, and a visiting professor in the conflict resolution programme at Georgetown University in Washington DC. 

Advocate Alan Nelson SADRA

Adv. Alan Nelson

Advocate Alan Nelson SC qualified as a lawyer in 1975, attaining his BA LLB Law degree, Cum Laude, at Stellenbosch University, after which he qualified as an Attorney before becoming an Advocate in 1978. Silk status was conferred upon him in and he served as an acting judge of the Cape High Court. In 2021 Alan’s passion for mediation led to him being selected as one of five candidates for the position of Chief Justice by a select committee of imminent persons appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

After extensive training in mediation both locally and abroad and mediating hundreds of cases Alan has become one of South Africa’s leading mediators.  He and his son Daniel are the founders of Mediation in Motion Training (Pty) Limited that for the past nine years has been training mediators under the auspices of the University of Cape Town’s UCT@Law program.

SADRA - South African Development and Reconstruction Agency

Our Main Volunteers

SADRA thrives thanks to the dedication and passion of our diverse volunteers who play a crucial role in advancing our mission of promoting development and reconciliation in South Africa. Our volunteers come from various backgrounds, including business, civil society, and academia, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience. Their collective commitment and time given over the years ensure that SADRA’s initiatives are effective and impactful, fostering social and economic progress while maintaining inclusivity and sound governance. Their passion is the driving force behind our success and ongoing efforts.

Bp. Michael Mtshali
Bp. Tobela Mzondi
Rev Dorothea Gopie
Patricia Fumile
Mrs Nocawe Rani
Asive Alam
Berenique Cox
Sakhe Nokhepheyi
Bp. John Mbesi
Bp. Sivuyile Mabhovana
Rev Yvonne Dakhi
Phumza Jongwana
Nomhle Mhlana
Zoe Morris
Thulani Yake
Yamkela Mavuso

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Click through to see our Western Cape Projects gallery

Rev Anele Paliso
Bp. Mluleki Ranelo
Rev Phumzile Stofile
Mrs Nomakhosazana Tyandela
Anethemba Liwani
Liyema Jozana
Amila Sidiki
Anelisiwe Mabaleka
Bp. Bheki Buthelezi
Rev Dumisani Qwebe
Rev Lizo Makasi
Mrs Cynthea Manikivana
Jamie Beukus
Diedre Jack
Naledi Mkosi
Ahluma Mdunyelwa
Patricia Sibanyoni
Rev Mawande Lugongolo
Sithembele Nonkelele
Mrs Hezel Gocima
Yamkela Bikani
Phalo Poyo
Olothando Nomvalo