Leigh Ann van der Merwe was born in Ugie, Eastern. Growing up as a gender questioning person, she struggled to conform to typical male gender codes and as a result always felt left out both in family life and at school. It was through another trans woman that Leigh Ann was introduced to trans activism in 2007. Her experience of activism includes being a candidate in the Transitioning Africa Exchange Program from 2010 to 2011. Leigh Ann was also a fellow in the Open Society/Austrian American Foundation/Transgender Centre of Excellence program in Salzburg, Austria during October 2011 and presented at a transgender consultation at UNAids in Geneva during November 2011. She holds a seat on the United Nations steering committee for transgender people in the Global South. Leigh Ann reviewed a number of gender literature resources produced by other NGO’s and was part of the study team on a UNFPA report on the challenges of sex workers in the East London area. She is actively involved with a number of NGO’s dealing with gender & women’s issues, HIV and public health. She is also the secretary of the board of an East London based NGO working with orphans and vulnerable children. She presented two papers at the first ever Gender Dynamix Transgender Health and Research Conference, November 2011. Her paper on Transgender Feminism is currently under review for the New Voices in Psychology publication with the University of South Africa.

Ms Duze is a Registered Nurse who has more than 40 years of experience working as a nurse. She completed a 3 years course and obtained a Junior Certificate in Nursing at Frere Hospital.

Felicity matriculated at Alphendale College in East London. She went on to study banking and soon found work as Service Manager for FNB and later as a business banker for Standard Bank before commencing work at S.H.E.

Olwethu matriculated at Thubalethu High School in Alice after that she went on to further her studies at the Eastern Cape Midlands College where she obtained a National Diploma in Financial Management. Olwethu also holds a certificate in Peer Education.

He is also the Editor-In-Chief of the organisations in-house publication,The Transfeminista. Mr Ludidi holds a National Diploma in Journalism from ICESA Education.

Khanyisa obtained a National Diploma in Information Technology: Software Development from The Walter Sisulu University(WSU). She also holds a National Certificate for HIV Testing Services from National Aids Convention of South Africa (NACOSA) and she has also obtained a National Certificate in Facilitation from Soul City Institute for Social Justice.

Nyameko matriculated in Kusile Comprehensive High School and then she went to study at the Buffalo City TVET College were she graduated with a Tourism Management: National Vocational Qualification.

Siya matriculate in Tinarha High School and also received training as radio disk jockey from the Love life Youth Center.

Siyamthanda went to Midlands College to study Tourism Management.

Ms Ngambu studied in Buffalo City College (BCC) and completed courses in Computer Literacy, Communications and Accounting.

Smayile went to Sinovuyo High School and further went on to study at Capston Academy and received a certificate in Security.

She assists in HRM and finance office duties. Wandile has also participated in our flagship program Miss Trans Diva 2018.

Ms Ncukana has more than 10 years of experience as a Financial Manager. She studied Financial Information Systems at The Walter Sisulu University and has completed short courses in Bookkeeping in Payroll Administration (level 1 - 5) of Softline Pastel at Damelin.

Ms Kokwe matriculated in Khanyisa High School in Mthatha and went on to further her studies at The Walter Sisulu University where she completed a National Diploma in Local Governance Finance.