The + in our name means we are inclusive of all people whose voices are unheard in mainstream media.
We are an intersectional feminist organisation that aims to transform gender representation in the media landscape by promoting women+ voices and narratives that reflect African demographics and perspectives. Quote This Woman+ is dedicated to contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Kath Magrobi is the founder and director of Quote This Woman+ (QW+). She has worked as a media and communications strategist in the development sector for over 30 years and has a deep understanding of the news environment. She teaches thought leaders how to interact with the media in a way that is accessible to cross-sectional audiences. As a part of QW+, Magrobi provides media training that allows women+ voices to hold their own when the spotlight falls on them. She was previously the director of communications for Legal Aid South Africa, and director of Soul Beat Africa. Magrobi has a BA (Hons) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Agape Johnson
Programme Manager
Agape Johnson is a growth enthusiast with a focus on empowering women-owned businesses, organisations, and brands. Drawing from her experience as a former publisher and her expertise in gender studies, she offers a unique perspective to her role. Throughout her career, Johnson has had the privilege of supporting numerous enterprises on their paths to success, using her expertise to make a positive and lasting impact.
Renee Moodie
Project manager
Renee Moodie is a senior journalist who draws on decades of print and online experience to offer a range of writing, editing, training and consultancy services. She has worked as a reporter for the Cape Times (a morning newspaper in Cape Town) and a sub-editor at the Cape Argus. She has worked in online journalism at Independent Online, where she was Deputy Editor, in charge of the operations of the entire team across all channels. Moodie opened Safe Hands Writing & Editing, a communications business with clients in online news, publishing, academia and the corporate and non-profit sectors. One of those clients is Quote This Woman+. She holds a BA degree from the then University of Port Elizabeth, English Honours from the University of Cape Town, and a higher teaching diploma, also from UCT.
René Sparks
Fellowship Manager
René Sparks is a Public Health Consultant, Registered Clinical Nurse Practitioner, social entrepreneur and WHO Community Engagement Expert for Tuberculosis. With over 2 decades of experience, she is a leader in health equity, community building and advocacy. René is also a published op-ed writer and podcaster, using her platforms to amplify marginalized voices from the global south. She lectures at the University of the Western Cape and Africa Centre for Inclusive Management – Stellenbosch University, supporting future public health leaders, and serves on the boards of Soul City Institute, SWEAT, and USAWA for Healing and Learning. Through her social enterprise, HACCSA Health & Wellness, she advances innovative programs promoting advocacy, capacity enhancement, and promotes access to health.
Wendy Papo
Database and Community Manager
Wendy Papo is an accomplished communications professional with experience at organisations such as USAID, The Global Fund, and PEPFAR, where she developed impactful strategies to enhance visibility and stakeholder engagement. She has led marketing and communication initiatives for the University of Pretoria, Pact Organisation, and Wilderness Safaris, managing campaigns and events across Southern Africa. Wendy holds a Master’s in Development Studies (University of the Free State), a BA Honours in Publishing (University of Witwatersrand), and a Bachelor of Technology in Journalism (Durban University of Technology).
Chisom Ejimkaraonye
Programme Support
Chisom is a programme support staff member with a background in public health and a passion for supporting impactful programs. Over the years, she has worked on meaningful projects like launching platforms to address public health challenges and leading strategic advocacy campaigns promoting gender rights and equity. Known for her curiosity, organisation, and unwavering commitment, she constantly looks out for opportunities to make a difference in every project she takes on.
Palesa Manasoe
Communications Intern
Palesa Manasoe is a communications intern at Quote This Woman+, driven by her passion for strategic communications and community engagement. She has hands-on experience in community development, through her volunteer work at the University of Johannesburg, where she obtained her National Diploma in Public Relations and Communications.
Meet the board
Lisa Del Grande
Board Chair
Lisa Del Grande is the Municipal Planning Chief Director of the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs of KwaZulu-Natal. Her work and studies have focused on spatial planning, land governance systems, and rural development planning. In the NGO sector, she has worked on supporting community-level advocacy at policy and practical land use planning levels. Her focus areas have been on farm dwellers’ land rights and access to justice, communal tenure systems, community-driven land use planning and management, and later a focus on food security and food sovereignty issues, as well as public employment programmes. Del Grande has two degrees, a Bachelor of Commerce, and a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, both from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr Zamambo Mkhize
Board member
Dr Zamambo Mkhize is a lecturer in gender studies at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. Her research focuses on modern polygyny, law, family, Zulu culture, and African feminism. Her book, titled Polygyny and Gender, was released in September 2021, by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. Mkhize founded the African STEMinist Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting, mentoring and advancing African women in the STEM fields. She did her undergraduate degree at Florida A&M University, before undertaking her honours in criminology and master’s in gender studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Part of her PhD was done in Pennsylvania as a Fulbright scholar, and she did her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Pontsho Pilane
Board member
PontshoPilane is a former journalist turned media and communications specialist and researcher working at the intersections of gender, health, race, media and policy. She is the author of Flow: The Book about Menstruation and Power and Faith: How Evangelical Churches are Quietly Shaping our Democracy. Pilane is a PhD Fellow under the South African Research Chair in Science Communication at Stellenbosch University. Her research focuses on the public communication of obesity research and the discursive narratives underlying the scientific, mass media and public policy texts, particularly concerning Black women. She has a wealth of experience in corporate governance gained through participation on numerous civil society boards and advisory committees
Athandiwe Saba
Board member
Athandiwe Saba is a renowned data journalist and advocate for information access in South Africa. She is currently the Managing Editor of Code for Africa’s iLAB, a team of forensic analysts, investigators and researchers investigating coordinated online behaviour, influence operations, and information manipulation. She served as Deputy Editor at the Mail & Guardian, showcasing expertise in promotion and access to information, newsroom management, editorial leadership, and strategic planning. With a strong background in investigations and data journalism, Saba established the first mainstream media data desk in South Africa. She has presented at the African Investigative Journalism Conference on several occasions and has been a guest speaker at the Transnational Law Institute seminar series at Kings College, London. Honoured with the prestigious News Corp Fellowship, she trained at the Wall Street Journal and The Times in London. Her exceptional work in investigative data journalism has garnered international recognition.
Kerigo Odada
Board member
Kerigo Odada is a human rights lawyer and researcher with a special focus on sexual and reproductive rights, public health policy, global health equity, and gender equality. She is currently a PhD researcher at the University of Pretoria, Centre for Human Rights, where her research focuses on obstetric violence and the legal mobilisation for respectful maternity care in South Africa. In her capacity as a PhD researcher, she also serves as an academic associate for the Sexual and Reproductive Rights program. Additionally, Kerigo serves as a mentor at the Global Surgery Advocacy Fellowship by Operation Smile, Nkafu Policy Institute and the University of Global Health Equity
Yves Vanderhaeghen
Board member
With a long career in journalism and academia behind him, Yves Vanderhaeghen is a strategic consultant and writer for Jive Media Africa, and a research and communication partner to Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation. He previously served as the editor of The Witness newspaper. He lectured on ‘Writing for the media’ at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he received his PhD in communication and cultural studies.
Juanita Williams
Board member
Juanita Williams is managing editor for AllAfrica.com, the world’s largest electronic distributor of African news. Based at their Cape Town office, Williams leads staff working on allAfrica.com from Abuja, Monrovia, Zimbabwe, Nairobi and Washington, DC, while fr.allafrica.com is updated by reporters and editors in Dakar. In her 20-something year career, she’s been a reporter, radio show producer/presenter, news editor, video news producer, media trainer, and board member at a range of organisations, from Africa’s first community radio project Bush Radio to Quote This Woman+, UWC, South African National Editors’ Forum, Independent Online (www.iol.co.za), Graca Machel Trust, and Zoopy.com.
