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Who we are:
We are a Human Rights non-profit organisation based in South Africa and operating in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia, Ghana & Kenya.
We were established in 2013, with the main goal of
Promoting the Power of Everyday Activism.
In order to do this, we empower ordinary
people to understand and defend their Human Rights - so that they can transform society and create a more just and equal world!
We also work alongside civil society, NGOs, CBOs, businesses, and governments across the globe, with a strong focus on Africa, to challenge and eliminate the root causes of injustice.
VISION | MISSION
To help realise a self-reliant, thriving, and non-violent African continent — led by conscious, active citizens who boldly uphold and defend the human rights of all.
To empower and equip everyday people to lead the fight for justice — transforming communities and building a just, thriving African continent.
VALUES
UBUNTU |
We believe in the interconnectedness of humanity. We cannot exist without one another. We believe in inclusivity, in celebrating our diversity and that all people have equal value. We believe that every person has a role to play in the fight for justice, as well as the responsibility to care for their fellow human and the world around us.
We believe in living a purpose-driven life, aligning our actions, decisions and goals with a deeper sense of meaning, to play our part in building something greater than oneself. We believe in our inner-strength and power, and celebrate our conviction to never give up.
PURPOSE |
DRIVEN
HOPEFUL |
We believe that true justice is possible, and that each and every person has the power to transform their world. We seek to inspire confidence in a better future with the people and communities we serve.
PIONEERING |
We are ambitious, passionate and hard-working, always seeking to take our impact to the next level. We are adaptable, not afraid to take on any challenges, try new things & create new paths. We can innovate in this space!
COMMUNITY |
LEAD
Our communities are at the heart of everything we do. We are guided by their voices, grounded in their wisdom, and accountable to their needs. We do not impose solutions — we listen, learn, and co-create. We believe that the people closest to injustice are the ones best positioned to lead the fight against it.
OUR IMPACT:
Justice Desk Africa currently runs a variety of specialised programs across
the various communities we work in partnership with.
2,252,537+
PEOPLE EMPOWERED
Our projects continue to positively impact the lives of everyday citizens, survivors of rape and
gender-based violence, young boys without positive male role models, children
without access to safeguarding, community leaders, schools, churches, as well as elderly, disabled,
and abandoned people from vulnerable, under-served communities.
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Our Team
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Jessica Dewhurst is an award-winning human rights defender from South Africa. She is a passionate and proud South African, who believes in the power of everyday activists, especially among the youth. She is the Founder and CEO of
Justice Desk Africa, having worked in the human rights sector for almost two decades.
She has qualifications from UCT, ERI at the UN, and Cambridge. She was awarded the "Queens Young Leader" award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; was selected as Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year in Activism (2019); an Obama Foundation African Leader (2020); and was chosen as the Start Network's Change-Maker Winner in the Brave category (2021). In 2023, she was named as a "Women of the Future" and CIO World named her as a top 10 Business Leader Making a Difference in the World! Avance named her one of Africa's Most Influential African Women in 2023.
Our Founder
Sustainable Development Goals
Here at Justice Desk Africa we cater to 1, 4, 5, 10, 16 and 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Board of Governors
Justice Desk Africa is an officially registered non-profit organisation under South African law.
Our NPO number is (186-262). According to South African law, the legal governing authority of our organisation is our Board of Governors. They meet every three months and oversee the overall governing of the organisation.
At the end of each year, we report to the South African Department of Social Development with narrative and financial reports. We also submit quarterly and year-end reports to each funder.
Our board members can be found below:
