30 June 2020
Soroptimist International is delighted to announce the inauguration of the Soroptimist International Africa Federation.
Nominations for candidates to serve as officers on the first Soroptimist International Africa Federation (SIAF) Board, took place during April-May 2020, and the Soroptimist International Future Africa Federation (SIFAF) Task Force received an overwhelming response. Of the 107 SIFAF clubs eligible to vote for 2020-2022 Board mandate, 97 cast their votes.
Soroptimist International President, Sharon Fisher welcomes the incoming SIAF President Connie Mutuhnu of SI Vabatsiri (Zimbabwe), and the new SIAF Board, saying: “I am thrilled to announce a true milestone in the history and future of our global organisation. As we approach our 100th year – our ‘bright past and brilliant future’ will take the spotlight – a time for all to recognise and reflect on our journey, and to celebrate the days to come. The Soroptimist International Africa Federation speaks and advocates for women and girls in Africa; committed to closing the gender gap, and accelerating opportunity and change for women and girls in health, education, and empowerment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and applaud all those who have worked so tirelessly, with passion and astonishing commitment, paving the way to this glorious achievement; we support you, we are with you, and we join you in your celebrations today”.
Election results as follows:
- President: CONNIE MUTUHNU of SI VABATSIRI (ZIMBABWE))
- Vice-President East Region: KAYIRANGWA MARIE GRACE of SI KIGALI (RWANDA)
- Vice-President Southern Region: SAIJAL BANDULAL of SI DURBAN (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Vice-President Northern Region: EL HAJJAJI SOUAD of SI RABAT (MOROCCO)
- Vice-President West and Central Region: ALIMATA KONE of SI ABIDJAN FLAMBOYANT (IVORY COAST)
- Program Director: Hanitra RAMANANDRAIBE of SI TANAMASOANDRO (MADAGASCAR)
- Director of Extension and Membership: MOUFQIA JALILA of SI AGADIR (MOROCCO)
- Finance Director: Christine HOUSSSOU EYEBIYI of SI COTONOU DEAN (BENIN)
Introducing the President of Soroptimist International of Africa Federation
Connie Mutunhu is elected the first President of Soroptimist International Africa Federation (SIAF), taking on the position for the 2020-2022 Biennium. With a solid professional background in Business in Zimbabwe & Australia, and a Masters degree in Change Management & Leadership Skills (Leeds, UK), Connie has broad practical expertise in entrepreneurship and small-scale business models.
With a passion for the economic empowerment of women and girls in Africa’s low-income environments, Connie is a founding Committee Member of ChildLine, Zimbabwe, a charity established by Soroptimists, and has served as Chair for the Southern Africa Aids Trust (SAT), a Regional Board in South Africa, with operations in seven countries.
Connie says: “We have come a long way in chartering an African Federation: I became a Soroptimist 22 years ago and have always been an active and engaged member. I have happily contributed my knowledge and skills towards the growth of my club, National Association, SIFAF, and as Director of Finance for the SIGBI Federation, and have been instrumental and active in many other executive positions. As our population continues to grow, a third of Africa’s people continue to live below the poverty line, with the majority being women.
COVID-19 threatens to dilute the efforts and gains of recent years, with increased cases of gender-based violence; a loss of economic opportunities; disruptions to learning, and access to education, particularly for vulnerable groups, and there is an immediate need to focus on these issues.
My vision and commitment will be to steer the SIAF leadership to fulfil our global mission of ‘transforming the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities’. As the captain of the SIAF board, I commit to the following areas of performance: Good Corporate Governance: Finances and Financial Management; Investment in Growth and Strengthening of Clubs; Strategic Alliances and partnership Building.
Ever the optimist, I believe that the best times are ahead of us and it is our time to shape them. Let’s create our SIAF! Let’s create our future! Together we can”.
Congratulations on becoming the first President of Soroptimist International of the Africa Federation. This is a wonderful milestone for Soroptimists and I wish you great success. When we can travel again I hope I will see you in at the UN in New York.
All my best wishes,
Barbara T. Rochman
SI UN Representative, New York
Thank you so much for the good wishes Barbara. Apologies for the delay in responding.
Best
Connie
Congratulations!!!!! President Connie Mutunhu. Wishing you the good luck for great beginnings.
Thank you so much for the good wishes
In friendship
Connie
Congratulations to Connie Mutunhu and all Office Bearers in our new Federation. You can count on the support of SISA as we built SIAF together.
Thank you Sally!
So exciting! Wishing you all a great start in this wonderful chapter of Soroptimist International.
Thank you Stacy!!! Indeed we are excited but a lot of work awaits us!
Thanks for the good job well done we will all continuee to empower our women and girls in our various countries we count on you more .count on our support from Sierra Leone
Bravo pour cette création pleine d’espérance et digne des valeurs soroptimistes.
Amitiés à toutes.
Personal Congatulations to you Connie. I know you are hardworking and have no doubt of your leadership as the first President of SIAF. Congrats also to you team. We look forward to you taking SIAF to higher heights.
Hank you so much Jane for the vote of confidence. With your support we will not go wrong. It’s a lot of ore hard work.
Best Wishes
Connie
Merci! It will be such hard work but we are up to it.
Best Wishes Denise
Connie
Congratulations to you Connie and team! Am excited for you as you pioneer the newly created Africa Federation. Holding it up for you sistaz!
Chipo thank you so much for the good wishes..if you are not yet one of us, shouldn’t you think of joining us?
Best Wishes
Connie
Wow! congrats Connie & her team. God bless you!
Thank you very much for your good wishes.
Best
Connie
We really appreciated your good wishes. He work begins and we will need your support
Best
Connie
Congratulations to you Connie Mutunhu and all newly elected to your Board. So many opportunities, hard work and fun ahead for all of you. Such rewarding work though.
On behalf of the new board, I would like to sincerely thank you for the good wishes. Looking forward to your continued support!
Congratulations President Connie! Best of wishes as you take on the SIAF mantle of leadership.
Congratulations to you are in order!! You made it so together we will take it further.
Mary congratulations to you are in order!! You made it so together we will take it further.
Congratulations to our first President and all office bears. We will give you full support
SI MAFIKENG
Congratulations for such a wonderful achievement💙. I wish you much success as you travel on this new and exciting journey.
With Fondness,
Peggy Gentile-VanMeter
Immediate Past Governor 2018-2020
SI North Atlantic Region
Thank you so much for the good wishes…I apologise for responding this late. I was just so swamped. Thank you again Peggy.
Thank you so much for the good wishes…I apologise for responding this late. I was just so swamped. Thank you again Peggy. There will lots to do in Africa since we are countries as opposed to States!!!
Best Wishes
Connie
Congratulations from SI New York City on this wonderful achievement of establishing a new Federation in the Soroptimist International sisterhood.
Thank you Maria..I write on behalf of the Board. We have a lot to do but I guess we don’t have to reinvent the will!
Best
Connie
Dear Maria
On behalf of the Board and on my own behalf, I would like to that you for you good wishes. We have a lot to do but I guess we don’t have to reinvent the wheel!
Best
Connie
Congratulations to all Soroptimists of the newly formed Soroptimist International of Africa Federation. So excited for you. Sending all good wishes from SI Port Angeles Jet Set in Washington State, USA.
From Soroptimist International of Saratoga County (NY, USA) : Congratulations Mme. President of SIAF! Welcome to the sisterhood. Best wishes for a successful presidency.
Susan F, Bartkowski, President-Elect of SI Saratoga County.
Mighty proud of you ladies- together lets help a difference in the lives of women and girls
Congratulations to Connie Mutunhu and the entire time in the new Federation Africa( SI Africa Federation) Long live.
Congratulations to President Connie Mutunhu and all Office Bearers in our new Federation! Now Eternal Father, your the foundation that enables everything we build to stand. You have given gifts to every woman here to bless and serve each other. You provide all your daughters with gifts to carry out the mission you have designed for them. Increase their numbers in membership and enlarge their outreach in the world.
This is an important milestone as we prepare for our Brilliant Future. May this be the first of many steps we take to increase diversity and membership.
Congratulations.
Congratulations Connie.We look forward to your rapidly moving SIAF to devepmental height .
Anthonia, thank you very much for the good wishes with our Federation. Together we are going to move our Federation forward. Apologies for responding this late.
In friendship
Connie
Congratulations. Great effort made has borne sweet fruit. History has been made. This is a new page and a new Moment. Let us move in unity with a renewed sense of purpose, unafraid to challenge inequality and injustice, making pathways for the women who depend on us to lead and to give and to care and to mentor and to promote our goals in every corner of the world. The world needs all of us.
Very well put RENE…THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GOOD WISHES. The sisters in Africa are excited as this Federation has been in the pipeline for a long time…we are ready to work and make a difference to our societies. Thank you again for your support.
Best wishes
Connie
Congratulations to you Connie, the newly elected SIFAF Federation Position holders and All members of our Newest Federation,
We so look forward to celebrating this occasion with you when possible. It has taken a lot of work on behalf of a lot of members over many years to achieve the SI African Federation. Thank you and Congratulations to all. Connie, I see you have business in Australia, we reach out to you to contact us if and when you visit our country.
Thank you so much Leigh for the Rey encouraging words on attaining our new Federation. We have lots of work to do but we are raring to go. We do look forwarding to celebrating this achievement with you sooner than later.
Best Wishes
Connie
We wish Connie Butunhu SI Africa President and all Board Members and SIAfrica Federation Members all the very best in achieving Your goals for Women in Africa.
With best wishes and kind regards,
In Friendship
On behalf of Manachester Soroptimists
Malgorzata Kmita
SI Friendship Link Coordinator
Manchester
United Kingdom
Thank you so much for the congratulatory message . We do look forward to making the Federation a vibrant one and making a positive impact in our communities in Africa.
In friendship
Connie
Congratulations to first President Connie Mutunhu and your board members and members in your federation.
We met at the International Cpnvention in Malaysia last July.
Dream came true!! Congratulation again !
Hope you have a wonderful year to come.
We have our friendship link club with SI Accra.
2019-2020 SIA Secretary/ Treasurer
Japan Chuo Region SI Kyoto
Dear President Connie Mutunhu,
I am sending this on behalf of our Region Leadership Training
Committee.
We would like to know your SIAF Head Quarter address.
Also you have 107 clubs is\n your federation I believe.
Are all clubs belong to federation direct or do you have Region or Union?
Thank you for taking the time for this questions.
Congratulations from SI Club Saarbrücken on this wonderful achievement of establishing a new Federation in the Soroptimist International sisterhood and a warm welcome to Connie Butunhu , first SI Africa President !!
Fantastic! We started deliberations on an African Federation over 20 years ago😁… it is now done! I can’t wait for to be involved in the journey that lies ahead 💃🏾
Congratulations Connie Butunhu, all Board Members and SI Africa Federation Members, all the best in achieving the milestone. Yes we can!!!
from SI Club Chad