Meet our team
Tess Peacock
Founder and Director
Tess Peacock believes that to move South Africa to be a more equal country, powerful organising rooted in community struggles against racial and economic exclusion must be galvanised and supported. The founder of the Equality Collective, Tess aims to work with community groups across the poorest municipalities in the Eastern Cape to build a rural justice network fighting for ukulingana nokulingana ngoku (‘Real Equality Now!’). Having worked as a passionate lawyer and advocate of education and early childhood development rights and services, Tess is committed to challenging power in the pursuit of greater equity and justice. Outside of this work, you can find Tess attempting various DIY projects or walking on the beach. Tess has a B.Soc.Sci in Politics, Philosophy and Economics as well as an LLB from UCT and an LLM from Harvard University. She is the former Treasurer of Equal Education and an advisory board member for the Bulungula College. She is a 2019/20 Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity and a Salzburg Global Fellow.
Kudrat Virk
Head of Strategy, Learning & Operations
Kudrat is a problem solver who is always looking for ways to make things work better and
support people and organisations in striving for excellence. She started as a researcher in
International Relations but has since shifted gear to grow as a transition management specialist with over a decade of experience at the coalface in the non-profit sector. Before taking on her current role, Kudrat provided needs-based strategic, operational, and project support to the Equality Collective, having briefly provided sabbatical cover as Acting Director. She also served as Acting Director of My Vote Counts and, prior to that, the Centre for Conflict Resolution, where she had been Senior Researcher. Kudrat has a PhD in International Relations from the University of Oxford and is a published author and editor. She serves on the Board of My Vote Counts and is a co-opted advisor to the Board of Amnesty International South Africa. Outside of work, Kudrat enjoys books and puzzles, good food, morning runs, and road trips; attempting to bake, occasionally with success; and spending time with friends.
Zoë Postman
Head of Communications for Social Change
Zoë Postman is a writer, activist, and communications practitioner. She previously worked as a journalist at GroundUp News, reporting on social justice issues of housing, labour, migration, prisons, and protest in South Africa. Beyond journalism, she supported the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO), advocating for the rights and recognition of reclaimers—informal workers who collect and sell recyclable materials. Zoë is a Canon Collins Trust alumna and was nominated as the 2021 Canon Collins fellow-fellow of her cohort. She completed the DGMT Innovation Fellowship for young civil society leaders in 2023 and is currently part of the Amplify Mobilise Change fellowship for communications practitioners in the civil society sector. Passionate about love, community, healing, and social justice, she brings her experience and commitment to her role as Head of Communications for Social Change at the Equality Collective, serving rural communities in her home province of the Eastern Cape. Outside work, you'll find her watching live music, making a hearty meal, flowing in Yoga, sunbathing or taking a dip in the ocean.
Tshepo Mantjé
Right to ECD Coordinator
Tshepo Mantjé is an education and children's right activist. He is passionate about working with children and youth to create spaces where their expression is valued. Tshepo is a Rhodes University alum. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Psychology. His focus was on childhood disabilities, developmental psychology, and community psychology. Following this, Tshepo completed an LLB degree focusing on human rights. He wrote his LLB dissertation proposing a minimum core model in realising the right to basic education in South Africa. Tshepo also finds expression in podcasting. He is the producer and host of Daring Greatly Podcast with Tshepo Mantjé, a mental health and personal development podcast. His other interests include gardening, yoga and, crocheting. Words that ring true to Tshepo are those shared by Nelson Mandela: “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” Through his work at the Equality Collective, Tshepo intends to contribute to the collective effort to reimagine, and bring to light, the expression of Africa by investing her children.
Noluvo Mandukwini
Local Government & Paralegal Services Coordinator
Noluvo Mandukwini was born in Tshezi village (in the Xora-Mouth Administrative Area where the Equality Collective is based). She completed school at Ganizulu SSS. After completing school she started working at the iiTablet Tshomiz programme at the Bulungula Incubator, an online e-learning programme at one of the local primary schools. She quickly moved up the ranks and became a Site Manager showing leadership, patience and commitment to her work and to children's education in her community. While in this job, she began studying for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of South Africa so she can better understand the general principles of the South African legal system, which she now applies to her work as the Right to Water Coordinator at the Equality Collective. She works at the Equality Collective because she wants to help people know and understand their rights.
Tinotenda Muringani
Research & Advocacy Officer
Tinotenda is a dedicated human rights lawyer and researcher passionate about advancing social justice and accountability through evidence-based advocacy. With extensive experience in the non-profit sector, his work has focused on promoting essential rights and services in rural communities—particularly the right to water, access to justice, gender based violence and local government accountability. His efforts aim to empower marginalised groups to participate meaningfully in governance and hold institutions to account. Tinotenda is currently completing his Doctor of Laws (LLD) at the University of Pretoria, where his research examines the international legal characterisation of the Gukurahundi massacre and its implications for transitional justice in Zimbabwe. He also holds an Interdisciplinary Master of Human Rights from the University of the Free State and a Master of Laws from Walter Sisulu University. A published commentator on municipal accountability and rural development, with work featured in the Daily Maverick, Tinotenda balances his professional pursuits with a love for reading, soccer, Formula 1, cricket, and rugby.
Sinovuyo Hlahla
Admin and Finance Clerk
Sinovuyo Hlahla was born in kwaTshezi village in the Xhorha Mouth Administrative Area where the Equality Collective is based. She completed her schooling at Groendal Secondary school and thereafter, studied a National Diploma in Policing at Walter Sisulu University. Sinovuyo has previously worked as a Community Liaison Officer in a construction company and in 2023, got an opportunity to join a job skills programme where she completed a handyman course. She started at the Equality Collective in March 2024 as an Intern Office Administrator, and as a result of her eagerness to learn and hard working nature, she joined the team as an Admin and Finance Clerk in June 2024. Sinovuyo loves working with her hands, working with people and learning new things.
Mbali Obose
ECD Advocacy Intern
Mbali Obose is an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Advocacy Intern at the Equality Collective, supporting the Real Reform for ECD movement. She holds an Honours degree in Psychology from Nelson Mandela University and has a particular interest in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in children. Aspiring to become an Educational Psychologist, Mbali hopes to help bridge gaps in mental health support for young children, particularly in underserved communities. Beyond her professional interests, Mbali has a big heart for children and feels grateful to work in a field that puts them at the centre. In her free time, she enjoys church, relaxing with Netflix, donating blood, baking, doing her hair, knitting, and getting lost in a good book.
Tembisa Ntlali
Local Government and Paralegal Services Intern
Tembisa Ntlali holds a Bachelor and Honours degree in Administration in Public Administration from the University of Fort Hare. Growing up in the rural Eastern Cape, Tembisa has witnessed firsthand the challenges communities face in accessing basic services such as water, roads, electricity, and legal support. These experiences fuel her passion for public service and grassroots development. In her role, Tembisa is committed to supporting communities to understand and exercise their rights, while strengthening accountability in local governance. She has a particular interest in rural development, service delivery, and community-driven solutions that promote dignity and equality for all. Outside of her work, Tembisa enjoys creative expression through content creation, exploring self-care practices, watching sunsets, and pursuing entrepreneurial projects that respond to community needs.