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About Hurisa

Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA) is a non-profit and public benefit organisation formed in 1994 as a continuation of the work performed by the then Institute for the Study of Public Violence (ISPV) founded in 1993 as the research arm of the Goldstone Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Retired Judge Richard Goldstone.

The main objective of the organisation is to collect, capture and analyse information relating to public violence and intimidation in order to eliminate them. Since its inception, HURISA conducts human rights education, capacity building, information dissemination, research, and advocacy programmes in South Africa and beyond.

HURISA collaborates and networks with gender-based violence activists, including women human rights defenders, civil society activists, key government departments, national institutions, and special target groups in South Africa and on the continent.

Our Vision
To create a culture of human rights and safe communities where people can access human rights from responsible government departments and institutions supporting democracy.
Our Mission
In partnership with civil society, national institutions and private organisations, HURISA cultivates a culture of peace, equality, and democracy in Africa through human rights education, research, and advocacy.

Get to know the passionate people behind HURISA

Our dedicated team brings a wealth of experience and expertise to fight for human rights in South Africa and beyond. From education and advocacy to research and community engagement, they work tirelessly to create a more just and equitable future for all.

Corlett Letlojane

Executive Director
Biography

Cathy Kodiemoka

Gender Campaign and Advocacy Officer
Biography

Tshepo Legodi

Office Administrative Coordinator
Biography

John Mac Farlane

Financial Officer
Biography

Nishen Naicker

Partnerships & Engagements
Biography

Advocate Kimani Simon Ndungu

founder of Ndungu Attorneys Inc.
Biography

Mpho Masilo

Community Development
Biography

Corlett Letlojane

Executive Director
Biography

Cathy Kodiemoka’s

Gender Campaign and Advocacy Officer
Biography

Tshepo Legodi

Office Administrative Coordinator
Biography

John Mac Farlane

Financial Officer
Biography

Mashile Phalane

Support Team
Biography

Nishen Naicker

Partnerships & Engagements
Biography

Advocate Kimani Simon Ndungu

founder of Ndungu Attorneys Inc.
Biography

Mpho Masilo

Role TBC
Biography

Rea Simigiannis

Biography

Driving positive change

HURISA has a long and distinguished history of fighting for human rights in South Africa and across the continent. We’ve made significant strides in areas like promoting women, youth, and children’s rights, advocating for the adoption of progressive policies, and strengthening regional human rights mechanisms.
EXPLORE OUR IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Collaborating for Change

We believe in the power of collaboration to achieve lasting change and partner with a diverse network of organisations, including human rights defenders, civil society groups, and government institutions, to amplify marginalised voices and promote inclusive public participation.

MEET OUR PARTNERS

Corlett Letlojane

Executive Director

Ms. Corlett Letlojane holds an LLB degree with the University of South Africa (UNISA) and B.Iuris Diploma with University of the Northwest (formerly known as UNIBO). She is the Executive Director of the Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA), a passionate and dynamic woman human rights defender with over 20 years experience on international and regional human rights architecture. She extensively uses African Commission on Human & People’s Rights (ACHPR) mechanisms, the Special Mandate Holders, African Union (AU) Political and Security Organs, Africa Governance Architecture, Pan African Parliament, SADC CSO foras and as the NGO Forum Focal Point. She is a Support Group Member on Freedom of Association and Assembly (FoAA) established by the ACHPR. Conducts studies on Enabling Environmental National Assessments in the context of promoting legislative frameworks to guarantee peaceful assembly, association and expression at national levels. She develops standardised monitoring and tracking framework tools on FoAA. She conducts research, advocacy interventions and specialised capacity building initiatives for range of audiences drawn from the grassroots, youth, women, students, lawyers, government officials, national human rights institutions, regional human rights CSOs, HRDs. This includes the Lusophone Human Rights Camp, & HRDs Networks, University of Pretoria – Centre for Human Rights (CHR) LLM Course with International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, (ICNL) offered to students as well as University of Venda (UNIVE). Facilitates knowledge empowerment programmes strengthening the UN and AU human rights systems through shadow reporting on CEDAW, Universal Periodic Review, African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Protocol on Women’s Rights in Africa, monitoring implementation of ACHPR & Human Rights Council concluding observations. Collaborates with diverse stakeholders promoting justice, civic space, participation in public policy, monitoring governance, reprisals, gender-based violence, women, children, youth, migrants, sexual minority groups. She also serves on the National CSO Steering Committee assisting the government implement National Action Plan on Women Peace & Security 2020 – 2025 and conduct research study with CSVR on NSP GBV – F and related laws. She’s Rapid Response Task Team member for development of reporting framework for incidents of racism and xenophobia offences / hate crimes.

Lifetime Achievement of Thulani Maseko Award in November 2023 by Southern Africa Human Rights Defender’s Network . Awarded a runner up Certificate as a Human Rights Defender in the SADC Region, by the Southern Africa Human Rights Defender’s Network in November 2018.

Cathy Elando Kodiemoka

Gender Campaign & Advocacy Officer
Cathy is a dedicated Gender Campaign and Advocacy Officer at the Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA). She has been instrumental in advancing the rights of women, ensuring their protection and empowerment through national, regional and international human rights instruments. Her work focuses on promoting women’s mechanisms for a safe and enabling environment.

She organises meetings, capacity-building training workshops, and engages with various CSOs, CBOs, and national, regional, and international human rights bodies. Through her work, she monitors state reporting on obligations, prepares civil society shadow reports, conducts key informant interviews and facilitates focus group discussions to promote the adoption of progressive resolutions. Her tireless efforts contributed significantly to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women in South Africa and beyond.

Tshepo Legodi

Office Administrative Coordinator
Tshepo manages the daily office operations and procedures to ensure organisational effectiveness­ and efficiency. She is passionate about Office Administration & providing support to the exec­utive. She’s an expert in scheduling and managing appointments, meetings and event planning with meticulous attention to detail. She is proficient in developing, implementing and maintaining filing systems, both digital and physical, in compliance with the policies of the organisation. Tshepo serves as the primary point of contact for internal coordination and external client relations, fostering a professional working environment.

Kimani Ndungu

founder of Ndungu Attorneys Inc.
Kimani Ndungu is the founder of Ndungu Attorneys Inc., a boutique law firm based in Johannesburg. He was admitted to practice as an attorney in September 2017. He holds an LLB from the University of South Africa (2012), and an LLM (International Law) from the University of Cape Town (2001). Kimani’s areas of specialisation are immigration, refugee and citizenship law, labour law, Family law and community schemes (sectional titles, homeowners associations, etc). Hurisa has had a long and productive relationship with Kimani spanning over 20 years.