Board
Board and Founding member
Future Families has 10 years of exemplary financial stewardship, committed staff and successful impact.
Penny Learmonth
Founder and Executive Director
Penny is the founder and current executive director of Future Families; a dynamic, social enterprise based, NPO working in the field of HIV/AIDS, economic strengthening and social assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. She is a Social Worker by training with 40 years’ experience in the field and over 10 years’ experience of managing and growing this NPO. The 3000% growth in funding over the decade since inception is testament to her skills and commitment to creating an NGO that is well-funded, sustainable, strives for financial independence and is a leader in the sector it operates.
Her passion is inspiring people to reach their full potential and empowering threatened families to create their own futures unrestrained by the circumstances they found themselves in. The Future Families’ operational and therapeutic strategies pioneered by Penny, are based on recent academic research, established grassroots community development methods and a demand for ever increasing cost effectiveness while reaching ever present targets and meeting funder demands. This innovative, integrated social work management approach ensures targeted families receive the psycho, social and economic support they desperately require to survive and ultimately thrive.
Penny leads Future Families based on the conviction that NPOs have a vital role to play in the development of South Africa and her most disadvantaged people; as long as they are well governed, relevant to the community they serve, and constantly seek ever greater autonomy.
Penny has presented the work of Future Families at a number of conferences, the most recent being in December 2019 at the 20th International conference on AIDS and STI’s in Africa in Kigali.
Clair Oxley-Oxland
Chairwoman
Clair Oxley-Oxland has led the Human Resources Department and ISO Quality assurance at Panoramic Components for over 20 years. She has been actively involved with Future Families for many years and has over 30 years of NPO experience. She holds a B.Ed and before joining Panoramic was an educator for over 20 years.
Sipho Sibanda
Vice-Chairperson
Sipho Sibanda is a practice lecturer in Social Work as the University of Pretoria. This gives him insight into the realities of Social Work at the coal face as well as the latest theory in Social Work. He has extensive experience in the field of Children’s services and is busy with this PhD in Social Work.
Sicelo Gumede
Treasurer
Sicelo Gumede CA (SA) is an experienced Financial Manager whose currently Manages the JSE Listed Momentum Metropolitan Groups Group Finance and BSM. He has held numerous Financial Leadership positions in the past including being the Finance Manager for a large Government funded Public Employment Programme as well as notable experience with the Auditor General of South Africa. He is passionate about building strong and resilient communities in South Africa.
Pinky Hlatswayo
Board Member
Pinky Hlatswayo is our staff elected Board member and was elected in 2020. She has a background in finance and over 10 years of NPO experience.
Jessica Huntley
Board Member
Jessica Huntley’s professional experience includes roles in publishing and the charity sector – in both the UK and South Africa. Her core skills are in persuasive writing, fundraising, communications, project management, and networking and relationship building. In her spare time, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors with her family.