Since the year 2000, the IJR hosts the prestigious Reconciliation awards ceremony where individuals or organisations are recognised for their contribution in advancing reconciliation across different spheres of society.

Building on from last year’s successful introduction of the Rising Shaper award where three young people who made an outstanding contribution to achieving nation-building and reconciliation were recognised, this year 10 young activists were chosen from 47 public nominations.

Naleli Morojele South Africa
Naleli Morojele is a gender and transformation scholar and practitioner. She has a deep love for Africa and its people, and has dedicated her professional life to exploring new knowledge(s) and praxis for the advancement of social justice and equality in the continent.

She holds a BA degree from Wheaton College, Massachusetts, in Women's Studies and International Economics, and an MA from the University of the Free State, South Africa, in Africa Studies. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Higher Education Studies, under the supervision of leading transformation scholar and practitioner Prof. Andre' Keet.

Naleli's research interests include women's transitional and post-conflict contributions to reconciliation, social cohesion, gender equality and transformation, and democracy and accountability, as well as gender representation and decolonisation in institutions of higher learning in South Africa.

She has recently joined the South African Human Rights Commission as a Human Rights Officer where she undertakes human rights research, advocacy, and monitoring in the Free State province.

Her publications include; Women Political Leaders in Rwanda and South Africa: Narratives of Triumph and Loss (Budrich Academic Publishers, Berlin), Dlamini-Zuma and Hillary Clinton: Sexism, Racism, and Party Fractures Make a Perfect Political Storm (Daily Maverick, South Africa), African Women Winning Elections: Lessons for Hillary Clinton (Media Diversified, London), Accord Peacebuilding Handbook 2nd Edition: Chapter 5 Gender and Peacebuilding (Accord, Durban).

Naleli is also trained in development project management monitoring and evaluation, in conflict resolution mediation and facilitation, and is a member of the Women Waging Peace Network at the Institute for Inclusive Security in Washington D.C.

Source: Lead SA