Advancing Transgender Human Rights
MEET OUR TEAM
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Dorian Basson is an LGBTIQA and HIV activist. He founded the NPO, Red Ribbon Foundation in 2014 following the overwhelming success of the HIV/AIDS Awareness Ball he hosted with the assistance of the Fairheads Social Group, on 06 December 2014 at the River Club Ballroom. He decided that every night, this inaugural HIV/AIDS Ball became known as the Red Ribbon Ball, would be a platform for HIV-positive individual to tell their story and be celebrated for their bravery and strength. He is an accountant and has worked in the financial industry for 13 years before embarking on his social work studies. On 05 December 2023, Dorian will celebrate 18 years of living with HIV, following a traumatic sexual assault in 2005. Dorian counsels individuals, facilitates HIV/AIDS Education and Wellness Workshops, and speaks at numerous events to break down the stigma that still surrounds this manageable chronic condition. Dorian uses crucial conversations as a basic approach to addressing issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. His fresh, innovative, and energetic approach to facilitating a workshop leaves attendees understanding topics logically. As a person living with HIV for 18 years already, his practical guidance and advice are a testimony that you can live a long and healthy life.
Dorian Basson
Senior Finance Officer
Gita November is a South African trans activist who has been fighting for gender-affirming healthcare in her country. She has been vocal about the struggles of transgender people in South Africa to access adequate healthcare, as gender-affirming treatments are not covered by national health insurance agencies.
Gita has also been involved in campaigning for the implementation of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health guidelines in South- Africa. In recognition of her advocacy work, Gita was named one of the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in 2016. She has also been featured in numerous publications for her work in South African newspaper The Daily Maverick. Overall, Gita November's fight for gender-affirming healthcare in South Africa highlights the need for progress in trans rights advocacy around the world. Her courage and determination serve as an inspiration to other trans activists fighting for equality in their countries.
Gita November
​Health Advocacy Officer
Simpiwe Boli is an experienced Human Resources professional dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Simpiwe specialises in developing policies that support employee well-being, particularly for the LGBTQI+ community.
As a registered member of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) and holding a BCom Honours in Human Resource Management, Simpiwe combines expertise and advocacy to promote a culture of respect and belonging across organisations.
Simpiwe Boli
Human Resources Specialist
Liberty is the former Legal, Policy and Education Advocacy Officer of Gender DynamiX, joining the team as Executive Director on 1 February 2018. Identifying as a trans non-binary person, she/they is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and holds a Master’s Degree in Law (cum laude) focused on non-discrimination and marriage equality for transgender persons (University of the Western Cape). Liberty also holds qualifications in Project Management, Leadership, Financial Management and Strategic Business Management (University of Cape Town).
She/They can be defined as a community-centred, critical-thought, human rights and social justice activist whose passion in fighting for dignity, equality and freedom for trans and gender diverse persons drives their/her dedication to achieving positive change. In her/their spare time she/they enjoys hiking outdoors, reading and writing, exercising and spending time with loved ones, particularly in their/her hometown of Darling.
Liberty Matthyse
Executive Director
With a passion for Accounting and community work, being able to do what you love and love what you do, has been his greatest motivator to enter the non-profit sphere. As a person of colour and a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, collaborating with GDX has been a great milestone for him. With 6 years of finance experience, he is also diverse in HR, IT, Tax and is currently pursuing registration with CIMA. With a meticulous work ethic and an eye for detail, his methodology is always to exceed the needs of the organization and so the community, by going beyond his ordinary scope of duties. Developing systems and strategies that best suits a specific project and maximizes the output, is one of his key strengths.
Neviron Meyer
Operations Manager
Princess has been appointed as the Finance Intern at Gender DynamiX. She was born and grew up in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Princess obtained a BCom Degree at the University of Venda. She also went on to obtain a Business Information System Certificate at the University of Venda and is still planning to further her studies by enrolling for her Honours next year. Princess has been an activist for the LGBTQIA+ Community and people living with disabilities. She is fearless, brave, professional, efficient and accountable.
Princess Munyai
Finance Intern
Gleo Booysen is a woman living a trans experience. Born and raised in the heart of South Africa, Bloemfontein, Free State. She completed the Young African Leaders Initiative Southern Africa program (YALI), a flagship program initiated by former US president Barack Obama which was held at UNISA School for Business Leadership and graduated as a Civil Leader in 2017.
She is a fashion model and passionate activist for transgender persons thus having organised the Free State LGBTIQ Pride between 2015 and 2019 to raise awareness around transgender topics. Her administration experience boasts over 15 years having worked in both corporate and the NGO space.
Gleo Booysen
Operations Officer
Wilma serves as the Receptionist at Gender Dynamix, she is responsible for internal maintenance and the office environment. Wilma was born and raised in Porterville and lives in Cape Town for the past 20 years. She identifies as a transgender woman. Wilma’s working experience extends to the agricultural sector, retail sector and NGO sector.
She has a matric qualification and plans to study towards an office administration qualification.She is passionate about people and often advises transgender individuals on the process of transitioning. Wilma’s hobbies are listening to music and she loves participating in beauty pageants as well.
Wilma Cornelius
Operations Officer
Hape Peshoane joins the Gender Dynamix team all the way from Lesotho. She is well versed regarding regional and international human rights instruments and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Women & Gender Studies at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Hape also holds a BA Honours Degree in Women & Gender Studies (UWC), Postgraduate Diploma in Gender Studies (University of the Free State), BA Degree in Pastoral Care & Counselling and Diploma in Pastoral Care & Counselling (National University of Lesotho).
Hape Peshoane
Regional Programme Manager
I have long been driven by a deep commitment to understanding and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Earning my Master’s in Research Psychology transformed that curiosity into a purposeful career, one that seeks to explore, document, and uplift the lived experiences of those often unheard, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community in Southern Africa.
I view research as both a scientific pursuit and a human responsibility: a means to uncover truth, challenge inequity, and contribute to meaningful social transformation. Guided by curiosity, compassion, and a belief in the power of evidence to create change, I continue to learn and grow each day, hoping my work leaves a lasting and positive impact.
Cameron Lawrence
Junior Research Coordinator
Melody Seherrie is the Community Engagement Manager at Gender DynamiX, where she leads efforts to promote awareness, inclusion, and meaningful support for transgender and gender-diverse communities. Drawing on her background in Social Work, Melody is deeply committed to advancing human rights, social justice, and equality.
Her work focuses on amplifying the voices of marginalised and underrepresented groups, fostering dialogue between communities, and building partnerships that drive lasting social change. Melody’s approach blends compassion with advocacy—empowering individuals to embrace their identities while challenging systems of oppression and discrimination.
Through her leadership, Melody continues to inspire resilience, courage, and collective action, championing a South Africa where every person can live with dignity, respect, and freedom.
Melody Seherrie
Community Engagement Manager
Medusa Iro is a communications practitioner, critical thinker, and storyteller whose work sits at the intersection of media, human rights, feminism, and digital expression. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Communication Sciences with a specialisation in Media and Culture Studies, as well as a DBA in Industrial Communications, which deepens her understanding of organisational structures, information flows, and the role of media in shaping institutional power.
At Gender DynamiX, Medusa leads the organisation’s digital and media communications, focusing on digital strategy, content management, and strengthening the organisation’s public presence. Her work aims to build clear, human-centred, and accessible narratives that support the visibility of trans, gender-diverse, and migrant experiences across Southern Africa.
Alongside her organisational role, Medusa is a poet, visual artist, and filmmaker. She brings this artistic grounding into her daily practice, using poetry, imagery, and critical analysis to explore deeper understandings of human experience. Her approach to media and language is questioning, sensitive, and firmly rooted in gender justice.
Medusa Iro
Media Marketing & Digital Communications Officer
Mikhail holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Politics & Economic History (UCT) as well as an LLB (UCT). He was also admitted as an Attorney in 2024. He believes in the law as a tool for social change and its ability to result in the realisation of the rights of marginalised peoples.
Prior to his position at GDX, he has occupied positions at The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, Ndifuna Ukwazi and The Legal Resource Centre
Mikhail Petersen
Legal Advocacy Officer
Zimbabwean-born Dzoe Ahmad is a tremendously accomplished Regional Advocacy Coordinator at Gender Dynamix (GDX). She is a multidisciplinary, multifaceted Transgender human rights defender, Content creator through fashion photography/ Influencing, with studies in Executive Secretarial and Business Management. She is a member of Young-Key Population on international platforms, where she is the spokesperson on struggles and success of an African Young Transgender, a board member of African Women on Sexual Health (AWOSHE). Dzoe Ahmad has collaborated with the UNICEF in conducting AYKP online toolkit on resources to help plan and scale up HIV prevention programs for adolescents and young people aged 10-24 years.
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Further collaborated with the Center for Civil & Political Rights [CCPR] on UN Advocacy mechanisms which impacted the writing of the International Convent on Civil & Political Rights - OHRC report in 2020 for Zimbabwe. All geared towards advocacy and affirming the resilience of survivors of injustice. Miss Ahmad submitted the International Convection on Civil and Political Rights report that gave an in-depth highlight and injustice, inequalities that the broader LGBTI persons face in Zimbabwe. Dzoe Ahmad works proactively in fighting for/and creating visibility for the transgender constituency and speaking in the representation of the marginalized community by standing as one, activism, social media influencer, brands endorsements, coordinating. Currently pursuing her digital career and further her studies in Business Management.
Dzoe Ahmad
Regional Advocacy Coordinator
Leah Grace Turner is the Community engagement Intern at Gender DynamiX.
She was born and grew up in Cape Town. Her passion for Trans rights began at a very young age as she noted the inequalities her fellow transgender community members were facing.
Leah actively strives for the inclusion of her community members as she believes in freedom, fairness and equality.
Leah Turner
REACTOR
Belinda Qaqamba Ka-Fassie (also known as Abenathi Makinana) is a South African genderqueer (art)ivist, activist and drag artist that creatively intertwines her cathartic artistry with her Xhosa identity, wearing cultural garments traditionally worn by one gender. Her drag is a protest of the homophobia, transphobia and racism that permeate South African society, as well as the lack of understanding and language to describe queerness in Xhosa communities. This award-winning performer is also the co-founder of the World Press Award winning project, #blackdragmagic, a project born out of stories of black trans and gender diverse persons who navigate their daily lives in the townships of Cape Town.
They hold a BA Humanities majoring in Sociology and Social Anthropology, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, BEd Honours Education Development and Democracy (Cum Laude) and is currently a Master of Education in Policy Studies at Stellenbosch University.
Belinda is a social justice warrior devoted to praxis and approaches centred in Intersectional Feminism, decoloniality and trauma informed. They have proven experiences facilitating robust engagements among young and old people in communities regarding issues of racial justice, human dignity, gender justice and belonging.
They were also actively involved in the #FeesMustFall and #OpenStellenbosch student movements, leading the queer collective that formed part of the movement in Stellenbosch University contributing indelibly to trans and gender diverse recognition in the institution.
Belinda is also a multi-pageant winner with titles such as Miss Cape Town Pride 2016, Miss Humanitarian 2015, Miss Drag Ambassador 2016 and Miss Gay Western Cape 2016 (now Miss Sovereign Western Cape) and Miss Drag South Africa 2019.
Belinda has vast experience in education, strategic leadership, community engagement and ground activism.
Belinda Qaqamba / Abenathi Makinana
Legal & Health Programme Manager
Tandile Mbatsha holds a Master of Arts degree (Cum Laude) from the University of Cape Town, specialising in Black queer erasure, counterhegemonic narratives to Euro-American identity constructs, queer citizenship, and Black African endogenous ontologies and epistemics. As a gender-diverse person (they/them), Tandile is a dedicated advocate for inclusivity and transformative education.
They lead a flagship program aimed at dismantling cis-hetero-patriarchal norms within the education system, ensuring greater recognition and support for individuals outside the gender binary. With a decade of experience in education and advocacy, Tandile has worked with organisations such as Injabulo Anti-Bullying Project, Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education, Triangle Project, Queer Feminist Film Festival, the Office for Inclusivity and Change (UCT), and the University of Johannesburg.
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Tandile also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Senior Phase and Further Education and Training), further solidifying their expertise in fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Tandile Mbatsha
Education Officer