After 16 years of brilliant service to the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, Yolanda Booyzen, the Centre’s Communications and Advocacy Manager, is stepping down from this position.

Yolanda has been the creative face and heartbeat of the Centre. She was involved in the original design of the Centre’s very first website and oversaw the creation continuous revamping re-creation of the Centre’s very well-regarded website. She guided the creative and innovative image of the Centre through posters, pamphlets, brochures, book covers and many more. She also steered our visibility and ensured that the Centre’s messages resonate through our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn).

Yolanda brought to the position a singular combination of qualities: a sharp eye for editorial detail; a faultless instinct for strategic choices; and an astounding variety of technical skills.

Especially over the last two years, in the context of Covid-19, Yolanda and her team worked tirelessly, despite constant pressure, to assist the Centre to re-invent itself by setting up countless webinars, creating databases, and setting up MOOCS.

She did this with great distinction and guided her team to become a group of professionals able to take her legacy further.

Yolanda starts a new chapter of her professional career with HURIDOCS, which has over the years also been a collaborative partner of the Centre.  While HURIDOCS is based in Geneva, Switzerland, like many of its other employees, Yolanda will work remotely.

Frans Viljoen, Director of the Centre, said: “We wish Yolanda all the best with this new phase of exciting growth in her professional life. We will remember her most fondly for literally having put the Centre on the ‘visual map’. She has not only been an exceptionally professional and creative colleague, but also a trusted friend. Among her achievements is a remarkable mini-dissertation, written in completion of her master’s degree in Multidisciplinary Human Rights. Yolanda, your talents are legendary and your contribution has been Centre-defining. We will sorely miss you!”