Christina Nomdo, Executive Director of RAPCAN and a LINC Fellow, has been appointed to the South African Government’s National Planning Commission (NPC). Christina has served as the Executive Director of RAPCAN (Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect), for close to seven years. At RAPCAN, she has championed approaches in which children participate in the realization of their rights. Recognizing and supporting the rights of children is essential to making systemic changes for children in South Africa.
“RAPCAN is honored and very proud that the executive director has been appointed to the NPC. As a longstanding and leading champion of children’s rights, Christina is well-placed to ensure that the wellbeing, rights and protection of children will receive the full attention of the Commission. We congratulate her and wish her well in this important role," said Professor Andrew Dawes, Chair of the organization’s board.”
Christina has been a LINC Fellow and innovation team leader since 2009. William Bird, a LINC Fellow from Media Monitoring Africa said, “this is a critical recognition of the skill and value that Christina will bring to the NPC but also a genuine focus on the future by seeking to focus on our most precious resource in South Africa - our children.”
LINC (Leadership and Innovation Network for Collaboration in the Children’s Sector) is a cross-sector initiative to improve the effectiveness of systemic responses to vulnerable children in South Africa. A project of the Synergos Institute, LINC operates through a fellowship of over 100 leaders from government, NGOs, business and donors in the children’s sector.
Christina has engaged in children’s rights work as a librarian, youth worker, lobbyist, trainer and researcher, writer, and activist for more than two decades. She holds a BA, a BBibl, and an MA (for gender studies) and is currently a Phd candidate at the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town, focusing on children’s participation rights.
She said, “I am honored to have been selected to serve on the NPC. I look forward to making a difference, to promote the rights of South Africa’s over 18 million children, by continuing to engage directly with them on matters that affect their lives.”
For More Information
- Learn more about LINC, Synergosñ leadership network in South Africa’ children’s sector
- Learn more about RAPCAN
- Contact Renald Morris, LINC Programme Manager at southafrica@synergos.org