Join us for an inspiring evening featuring Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe as the keynote speaker. Thandeka, founder of the Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign Centre, and daughter of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Tutu, is a renowned advocate for education and public health in Africa. Her work addresses the critical desk shortage in sub-Saharan Africa and aims to improve literacy and education across the continent. With a wealth of experience in global public health and as a distinguished speaker, Thandeka will share her insights on promoting global peace and justice. Enjoy a memorable dinner while gaining inspiration from her extraordinary journey and dedication to positively impacting the world.
This event will benefit the Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund.
Meet the KeyNote Speaker: Thandeka Tutu-Gzashe
THANDEKA TUTU-GXASHE, MPH, IS THE FOUNDER OF THE DESMOND TUTU TUTUDESK CAMPAIGN CENTRE (DTTCC), A CHARITABLE EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT ADDRESSES THE 95 MILLION DESK SHORTAGE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. DTTCC AIMS TO PROVIDE 20 MILLION ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, PORTABLE DESKS TO SCHOOLS IN AFRICA BY 2025. DTTCC THE LIVES OF AFRICAN CHILDREN, THEIR COMMUNITIES, COUNTRIES AND MAKES AFRICA A MORE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE CONTINENT THROUGH IMPROVED LITERACY AND EDUCATION.
THANDEKA HAS BEEN EDUCATED AND WORKED IN THE UK, SWAZILAND, BOTSWANA AND THE USA. SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH, ESPECIALLY THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS, AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND EDUCATION EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE, THUS PROMOTING GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE. WHILE COMPLETING HER MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AT EMORY UNIVERSITY, THANDEKA RECEIVED SEVERAL FELLOWSHIPS, INCLUDING FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC), THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THE AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES & DISEASE REGISTRY, THE SOUTH EAST AIDS TRAINING CENTER & THE DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH.
MUCH OF THANDEKA’S WORK HAS BEEN JN CLINICAL RESEARCH BOTH IN THE USA AND IN SOUTH AFRICA. AS A PUBLIC SPEAKER, SHE HAS LECTURED AT UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AROUND THE GLOBE. THANDEKA HAS SERVED ON THE BOARDS OF SEVERAL FOUNDATIONS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND IS CURRENTLY ON THE BOARD OF THE DESMOND TUTU HIV FOUNDATION, HPSA (FORMERLY HEIFER INTERNATIONAL ·SOUTH AFRICA) AND THE FOUNDATION FOR SPORT, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE. SHE WAS NAMED ONE OF THE “GLOBAL 100 REAL LEADERS” BY REAL LEADERS MAGAZINE. THANDEKA IS THE ELDEST DAUGHTER OF ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU & NOMALIZO LEAH TUTU. SHE AND HER HUSBAND RESIDE IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AND HAVE ONE SON.