The Graça Machel Trust welcomes Shiphra Chisha as the new Director of Programmes. Ms Chisha's tenure began on Monday, 23rd May 2022. Her appointment clearly reflects the company's current state: ready to take on the future. Ms Chisha holds a Master's in Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Johannesburg and Strategic Leadership Programme (SLP) from Gordon Institute of Business Science and BRICS China Executive Leadership Development Programme (ELDP).

Among other achievements, Ms Chisha is the President and Co-Founder of the African Women in Business ("AWIB"), a Pan-African organisation representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across industries, with chapters across SADC. African Women in Business provides women with access to trade and investments in eight (8) priority sectors and is currently looking at how women entrepreneurs will benefit from implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). AWIB's primary objective is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members. In addition, AWIB aims to promote intra-regional trade partnerships for women in business on the continent. She is a Development Expert and Director of MKT Investments, a 15-year consultancy firm established to ensure sustainable socio-economic development (SED) through collaboration with mining companies, government, MSMEs (SMME) and other stakeholders.

She is a member of the SADC Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade Steering Committee and Working Group and a Steering Committee Member of the Trade Forward Southern Africa (TFSA). Advisory Board Member of the University of South African Graduate School of Business Leadership, Advisory Board Member of African Women in Power and Energy, and Pan-African Tech Foundation. Additionally, she has a great understanding of the Trusts' work, demonstrated through her knowledge of our vision and mission.

Our entire team, Board of Trustees, Networks and partners extend Ms Chisha our warm welcome!