On 20 November 2025 the following Board was elected by the SOS membership:
Bongani ka Mthembu (R2K)
Bongani is the R2K Gauteng Provincial Coordinator, and member of R2K’s NWG since 2019. He has a passion for community development and social justice. He joined PASO as a Grade 8 student in Sebokeng (1994). He co-founded and chaired the South African Unemployed Youth Forum (2004). He was Organiser for the Sedibeng Social Development Youth Forum and Regional Chair of the Vaal Anti-Privatisation Forum (2006). He facilitated the establishment of Westside Park Community Crisis Committee (2011). In R2K he has a community engagement focus on communication, participatory democracy and the Right2Protest.
Xolile Vundla (ASA) (Chairperson)
Xolile Vundla is a digital executive and technology strategist with 20+ years’ experience spanning multinationals, consulting, and entrepreneurship. He founded TechSprung Knowledge Factory (2010–2025), delivering skills, incubation and enterprise development programmes aligned to ICT and creative-tech industry needs. Xolile currently serves as Chair of Animation SA (since 2024) and Chair of Pixel Creators (since 2025), driving sector development, partnerships and scalable industry interventions.
Pearl Munonde (SASFED) (Deputy Chairperson)
Pearl is Co-Chair of the South African Screen Federation (SASFED) and Board member of DFMI. She has been in the TV industry for 21 years. She started as Script Co-ordinator and Translator for Soul City Series 3-5, and moved on to Script Development and Production Co-ordination. She is an accomplished Producer and Line Producer, having produced content for broadcasters including the SABC, Mnet, Mzansi Magic and Etv. Pearl has engaged in training and mentoring young female filmmakers for over 10 years, and owns her own company, NwaChasiya Media.
Samkelo Mokhine (FXI)
Samkelo is the Executive Director of the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI). He studied education and law. He left a senior management role in the legal expenses insurance industry to head Siyakhula Trust and the Siyakhula Education and Training Institute, before moving to FXI. He has served on the boards of the Legal Expenses Insurance Southern Africa pension fund, the Johannesburg Community Legal Centre, the Southern Africa Centre for Torture Survivors, and Amnesty International Southern Africa. He is currently Chair of Amnesty International's global Nominations Committee.
Ezekiel Kekana
(CFE)
Ezekiel Kekana is a journalist with years of experience across print, online, and broadcast media. He is currently a Researcher Officer and Head of Communication at the Campaign for Free Expression. He holds a Master's Degree, and Honours Degree in Journalism and Media studies from Wits University. He also holds an Honours Degree in Media Studies, and a BA Degree in Communication Science from the University of South Africa. Ezekiel was included in the News24's top 100 Young Mandelas of 2023. He is passionate about telling the stories of the most vulnerable.
Sibusiso Molteno
(S MOLTENO INC)
Sibusiso Molteno is a highly experienced legal professional with a proven track record of success in civil litigation and corporate law. His career spans over three and a half years, during which he has developed a robust background in contract drafting and negotiation, legal research, and courtroom representation. He manages complex legal cases from start to finish, ensuring that all legal requirements and deadlines are met while providing exceptional legal counsel to his clients. Mr Molteno is a confident and skilled legal practitioner who upholds the highest ethical and professional standards in his practice.
Mr Molteno holds a BA (Law & International Relations) and LLB, both degrees conferred by Wits University, and his admission to practice law attests to his expertise and commitment to excellence. He served and completed his articles at Bowmans, followed by short stints at CDH. Currently, he serves as the founder and managing director at S MOLTENO INC, a South African legal firm that provides professional assistance and representation by legal practitioners and/or attorneys who use a results-driven and practical approach to solving complex legal issues.
Amílcar Patel (DFA)
Amilcar has a background in Law, Political Science, Film and Ethics and AI Policy in Africa. She is a film producer whose work has been exhibited at internationally renowned institutions such as the London Museum of Modern Art and Q21 in Vienna, reflecting her commitment to bridging social inquiry with public engagement, while her online documentaries, episodicals and commercials have garnered over 4+million views. Amilcar, has served several terms as a RCLA jury, Is a board member of the Documentary Filmmakers Association and the co-chair of the South African Screen Federation.
Uyanda Siyotula (National Coordinator)
Uyanda is the SOS Coalition as National Coordinator. She has a keen interest in media freedom, policy, digital media and media law. She has experience in lecturing media studies and brings to the organisation a dynamic and fresh approach to strategy, policy engagement and organisational operations. Uyanda is committed to joining forces with media personnel, the sector and all institutions governing the public media sector to ensure advancement of public service media and strengthening of the public broadcasters, the SABC.