PWMSA National
Leadership & Committee

Angie Motshega serves as National Convenor of the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa. A stalwart of gender activism and educational transformation with decades of public service, she provides strategic vision and high-level political guidance to the movement. Her lifelong activism is rooted in the tradition of South Africa's foundational women freedom fighters.

Zingiswa Losi is a National Convenor of PWMSA, bringing formidable grassroots mobilisation expertise and decades of working-class trade union activism. Her leadership ensures that the movement remains uncompromisingly centered on the lived realities of farm workers, domestic workers, informal traders, and rural women.

Ms. Lulama Nare is an accomplished executive and constitutional leader with extensive experience in institutional leadership, governance, public-sector administration, gender mainstreaming and socio-economic development. Her leadership experience includes serving as a Chapter 9 Commissioner and executive leader, where she contributed to institutional strategy, high-integrity governance and systemic approaches to advancing gender equality and socio-economic inclusion. Her work reflects a strong commitment to strengthening institutions and creating sustainable pathways towards greater gender parity. Ms. Nare brings extensive knowledge of public-sector financial management, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), audit readiness and organisational restructuring. Her experience in financial governance and operational oversight supports a disciplined approach to fiscal sustainability, compliance, accountability and organisational excellence. Her work also extends to grassroots economic development and stakeholder mobilisation, with experience in multi-stakeholder programmes, agricultural enterprise development and financial inclusion initiatives. Through these initiatives, she has contributed to economic empowerment and development opportunities for rural communities and women entrepreneurs across South Africa. With a combination of executive leadership, governance expertise, financial management and grassroots development experience, Ms. Nare brings a strategic and practical perspective to advancing institutional transformation, women’s economic empowerment and sustainable socio-economic development.

Me Getrude Mtsweni is a pivotal member of the National Working Committee, leading community mobilisation and enterprise development portfolios. She has been instrumental in conceptualising and executing the Women's Enterprise Incubator in Mpumalanga and building rapid response GBV networks.

Vuyiwe Hani is an experienced public representative, governance professional and community development practitioner with extensive experience in public leadership, stakeholder engagement, women empowerment and community development. She currently serves as a PR Councillor and Leader of the Opposition at the Cape Winelands District Municipality, where she contributes to governance, oversight, public accountability and community advocacy. She is a Member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) and serves as a National Working Committee Member of PWMSA, contributing to women's leadership, empowerment and organisational development. Her professional experience spans government, education, social development and community empowerment, including leadership and coordination of programmes focused on education, youth development, skills development and community advancement. Vuyiwe has a longstanding commitment to women's empowerment and gender equality. During her university years, she founded New Women Today (NEWTO), an organisation focused on women's empowerment, gender equality, safety and advocacy.

Sylvia Maphala is a lifelong liberation activist and National Working Committee Member of PWMSA (2025 to date), having previously served as PWMSA Sub-committee Chairperson (2017 – 2020). Capricorn & Mopani Regions: An activist from a young age, she joined BOYCO (Botlokwa Youth Congress) in 1980 and served as SRC President at Kgarahara High School (1988). She joined uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in 1984 in Trichardsdal, and later served as College SRC Female Convener (1990), Giyani South CIVIC Sub-regional Chairperson (1993), SADTU Giyani South Branch Chairperson (1993), ANC Khashane Branch Chairperson (1993), ANCYL Phalaborwa Sub-region Deputy Chairperson (1997), and ANC Dumitri Branch Secretary and ANCWL Chairperson (1997). Provincial, National & International Leadership: At the provincial level, she served as Deputy Chairperson of Moral Regeneration (2019) and MKLWV PEC Member (2022 to date). Nationally, she served as ANC NCOP Advisor (2014 – 2019), SANCO National Women Desk Convener, and SANCO 2nd Deputy General Secretary (2023 to date). Internationally, she served as President of African People and Human Rights for Women (2018) and President of China Investigation Bureau (2019).

Blessing Thandie Shongwe is a seasoned legislator, former Speaker and MEC, educator, and National Working Committee Member of PWMSA with over four decades of leadership across education, municipal governance, parliament, and provincial executive administration. Her public service career began as an educator, Head of Department, and Deputy Principal (1982–2000) before serving as Councillor and MMC for Community Services at Ehlanzeni District Municipality (2000–2006) and Member of Parliament in the National Assembly (2008–2009). In the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, she served with distinction as Deputy Chief Whip (2009–2010), Chief Whip (2010–2014), and Speaker of the Legislature (2014–2017), followed by executive appointments as MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation (2017–2019; 2020–present) and MEC for Social Development (2019–2020). A dedicated gender activist since her student and SADTU union leadership days in the 1980s, she has served as Board Director of Malibongwe in Mpumalanga, Regional Secretary of the ANC Women's League in Ehlanzeni, long-standing ANC & ANCWL PEC Member, and currently serves as an NEC Member of the ANC Women's League (2023 to date).

Sophia Hlonipha Sikhosana is an entrepreneur, communications strategist, publisher, writer, editor, life coach, inspirational speaker and social impact advocate. She is the Founder and CEO of Innovizt Content Solutions, where she works across publishing, content development, communications, project management, brand strategy and business solutions. With extensive experience in publishing and storytelling, Sophia has worked with authors, organisations and entrepreneurs, helping transform ideas into books, campaigns, brands and professional communication platforms. She is passionate about using communication and storytelling to amplify voices, particularly those of women and communities. As a PWMSA National Working Committee Communications Officer, Sophia contributes her expertise in strategic communication, media, content creation, advocacy and public engagement to strengthen the organisation’s voice and advance its work in women’s empowerment, gender equality and the fight against GBVF. She is also a recognised inspirational speaker and African Peace Magazine awardee, with a strong passion for resilience, women’s leadership, empowerment and turning ideas into meaningful action.

Nell is a dedicated advocate for the protection, dignity and wellbeing of vulnerable children, women and families. Through her work with the National Children and Violence Trust (NCVT), a South African non-profit organisation established in 1995, she is committed to addressing the realities of child protection, gender-based violence, domestic violence and social vulnerability within communities. Her work is rooted in a community-centred approach that recognises that meaningful protection requires more than responding to violence after it occurs. It requires psychosocial support, access to rights and justice, community awareness, skills development and practical assistance that enables vulnerable individuals and families to rebuild their lives. Through NCVT’s programmes, Nell contributes to initiatives that provide psychosocial support and counselling to survivors of violence and abuse, while supporting trauma management and emotional recovery. She is also involved in community-based initiatives that provide essential assistance, including food and care packages to shelters, crèches and homes supporting people with special needs. A strong advocate for awareness and the protection of rights, Nell supports community dialogues and educational campaigns that help communities understand their rights and responsibilities under legislation such as the Children’s Act and the Domestic Violence Act. She recognises the importance of equipping people with knowledge so that they can identify abuse, seek appropriate support and participate meaningfully in creating safer communities. Her commitment also extends to skills development and empowerment, particularly for vulnerable women and young people. Through education, life skills and community interventions, she believes in creating opportunities that can help individuals overcome cycles of poverty, violence and vulnerability. Nell’s work reflects a deep commitment to building communities where children are protected, women are supported, survivors are treated with dignity, and vulnerable people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to live with greater safety and hope. Through her contribution to NCVT, she continues to support the organisation’s broader vision of strengthening communities and advancing the protection of children, women and other vulnerable groups across South Africa.