The Tekano journey is more than one story

 It is a new journey for all of us – rich and complex with many influences. There are many role players – individuals, groups, professions, even whole communities – each adding to the range of perspectives, challenges, and contributions. The questions are many – and the solutions just as diverse. So how are we to share it with you in a few pages?

In trying to answer “What is Tekano?” and “What is the work that we do?” we realised that the answer was rich and complex, so we have attempted to answer it in a series of stories. We hope that this will give you a more nuanced perspective of the organisation and of its unfolding.

 

What we offer

A Fellows Programme that is run each year where we invite  applications, and screen, select  and recruit approximately 25 Fellows.

We also have Alumni Programme  and a presence and voice in its  own right – promoting health equity through addressing structural and social determinants of health.

Introductory Video

Meet our Yearlong Fellows

Latest Updates

News & Activities

Rest in Power Crystal!

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former colleague, Crystal Dicks, who led our programme between 2020-2022. Bringing a deep experience as a labour union education leader, feminist activist, and thinker, Crystal took on the directorship of the Tekano...

The Role of SA Media in Perpetuating Abortion Stigma

Remember when local newspapers published records of Bonang Matheba’s alleged abortion after reports of her being allegedly abused by her ex, DJ Euphonik? That moment remains a stark example of how the media in South Africa perpetuates abortion stigma, turning a...

How Change Happens

Our Cohort 6 fellows recently gathered in Johannesburg for the in-person learning experience III. The learning experience, titled How Change Happens, provided a space to build on individual and collective understanding and sense-making of how change happens, not only...

A Call for Urgent Action on Drug Abuse

As the world observed International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, our fellow Thando Masango raised concerns about the drug crisis affecting South Africa’s youth. Thando, who is an anti-drug activist and community advocate, is alarmed by...

 ‘Improving’ access to Emergency Care 

A specially designed emergency stretcher—hailed as a potential breakthrough in emergency healthcare—was recently handed over to local partners in Langa, Cape Town, by Tekano Fellows Lebo Molete and Yvette Andrews, in collaboration with engineering students from the...

Food Sovereignty Indaba

Recently, the historic Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg, Eastern Cape, became a powerful site of reflection and resistance as it hosted the Food Sovereignty Indaba, a two-day gathering under the theme “Resilient Roots for Circles of Renewal: Empowering Communities,...

Engaging with communities

"As people living with disabilities, we are so used to being excluded in such a way that we’ve unintentionally started excluding ‘normal’ people," said Denise Van Wyk, a community member in Kimberly, during a fellow-led community engagement in the Northern Cape....

“We are heading towards a revolutionary era”

“We are activists today because the capitalist system failed a long time ago. It has not been prioritising the poor, and the more that marginalised people realise where the challenges are actually coming from and what the causes of those challenges are, the more we...

Tekano at PHASA

Tekano Fellows participated in this year’s Public Health Association of South Africa, focusing on several issues including National Health Insurance, rural health, climate change, oral health, and HIV/AIDS. Azeeza Rangunwala and Tshepo Mokhadi, who are Tekano...

Ntabankulu: Health Services ‘Improve’

“We used to come to this [Mnceba] clinic, and we wouldn’t even find Panado if you had a headache or were just in pain. But now there’s a difference. While there’s still a long way to go, now we can at least find medication and at times even check our sugar levels....

Fellows

What our fellows have to say

In my activism work I became aware of the psychological trauma that abducted girls and women have to live with for the rest of their lives if they are not supported. This level of awareness needs to be put into action, by conscientising other stakeholders.
Sibongile Mtungwa

Fellow at KwaZulu-Natal

I am passionate about training environmental health practitioners, building their capacity to be aware of factors in the environment that affect health such that prevention of ill health and injury plays a key role in their thinking and, invariably, in the work that they do.
Luqman Yesefu

Fellow at Eastern Cape

My activist vigour is focused towards building a South Africa where Alma Ata (primary health care) takes centre stage and the underprivileged South Africans have access to affordable, quality healthcare regardless of class, employment, gender, origin, or ability to pay.
Bernard Mutsago

Health Policy Researcher