Chairperson
Jorge Guerra
Jorge is a missionary of the Scalabrinian Congregation (Missionaries of San Charles Borromeo). He worked with seafarers with Apostleship of the Sea in the Port of Cape Town. He's currently Parish priest in St.Patrick LA Rochelle, one of the most interesting multicultural communities of Johannesburg.
Board member
Emmerentia Erasmus
Emmerentia is passionate about supporting governments to strengthen the protection of migrants and the contribution they make to societies around the world. As a migration specialist with more than 15 years of experience, she has worked globally, including in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific.
She has a Master of Science in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and consults for the UN and other international organisations. She specialises in labour mobility, while also working across the spectrum of migration topics. Emmerentia developed both the African Union’s Migration Policy Framework and the Southern African Development Community’s Regional Migration Policy Framework. Her work focuses on developing publications, policies and programmes that foster safe and regular migration pathways.
She lives in Cape Town, where she most enjoys walking in the mountains.
Board member
John Kawisha
John is a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles - Scalabrinians. After completion of his Philosophical and Theological studies at Pontifical Ateneo St Anselmo in Rome with Bachelor’s degree respective, he graduated with Licentiate in Pastoral Theology and Human Mobility at Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome. He started his experience in the field of migration in the Scalabrini misison of Cape Town. Currently he is the project manager of the Scalabrinian social projects in Uganda, and rendering pastoral service in Archdiocese of Kampala and Diocese of Arua, working with South Sudanese refugees in Nyumanzi Settlement.
Board member
Peter-John Pearson
Peter-John is a priest of the Archdiocese of Cape Town and Director of the Southern African bishops’ Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office. He began his journey to the priesthood after studying law and having experienced a profound spiritual conversion linked to his involvement in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement and a passion for social justice in service of the poor. In CPLO he is also the co-ordinator of the Refugees & Migrants Project.
Board member
Shireen Motara
Shireen Motara is the CEO of Tara Transform and Founder of The Next Chapter Studio.She is a Certified Coach and as an African Feminist, she is deeply passionate about the potential of Women and Africa, addressing inequality, and committed to social change that values and recognises women’s rights and contributions. Her conviction is that women should be able to claim their space anywhere,and everywhere. She uses her skills, knowledge, experience and networks to increase the visibility, voice and influence of women in the workplace and society.
As a Certified Coach she supports women to enhance self-awareness and self-compassion, and focus on goals of personal growth, leadership and professional success by building on their strengths.
As an experienced strategist and consultant Shireen supports clients to design, implement and review strategies that advance social justice and address inequality. Her clients include UN agencies, funders and philanthropic agencies; corporates and non-profits. For over two decades she has been working and volunteering for social justice. Shireen has held roles in management, Coaching, executive leadership and consulting in South Africa, SADC and theUnited Kingdom.
As a Board Leader, Shireen has supported organisations in building effective governance practices; with effective leadership that prioritises sustainability and gender equality. She is also the co-founder of Young Women Thrive, a project that supports young women to build economic independence; create jobs and be leaders in their own communities.
Board member
Willem Van Schalkwyk
With qualifications in engineering, management science, and finance (Stellenbosch University, University of the Witwatersrand, and University of the Free State) Willem assists the trustees in excercising their fiduciary duty. His experience in corporate business management contributes to critical anaylsis and sound governance at SIHMA. Willem was also invited to the board of trustees to bring his rich experience in the legalities of compliance to the management conversations.
