Hi, I’m
Kearabetswe Moopelo
Cape Town
Summary
Dedicated researcher and policy advocate, Kearabetswe Moopelo, leads the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI) and excels at facilitating inclusive dialogues among diverse stakeholders, including mining-affected communities, civil society organizations, and faith leaders. Through these dialogues, Kearabetswe develops people-centered policy recommendations that inform state and corporate practices, ultimately advancing social justice and advocating for an equitable just transition in the renewable energy mining sector. As a key contributor to the International Land Coalition (ILC), Kearabetswe played a crucial role in shaping land governance strategies, ensuring marginalized voices influenced policy reforms at national and regional levels. Her work focused on tenure security, land rights, just transition for food systems, climate change, and strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement in land justice initiatives. Notably, her leadership has secured over R1.6 million for previous initiatives and an additional R1.7 million within four weeks for the AMI event, totaling nearly R3.3 million in funding throughout her platform coordinating tenure. With fluency in nine languages and pursuing a PhD, Kearabetswe combines rigorous research with strategic leadership to drive impactful change in the extractive and land governance sectors. She serves as a board member for the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG), offering her skills in Industrial Psychology for talent management and development. In the public health domain, Kearabetswe has co-authored studies addressing informed consent barriers in South African health facilities and explored alcohol use during pregnancy among women at risk of HIV, underscoring her commitment to integrating social science perspectives into public health research.
Overview
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI)
Regional Project Coordinator
11.2024 - Current
Job overview
- Provide secretariat services to the AMI.
- Represent AMI at relevant national, regional, and international meetings.
- Assist with fundraising for future AMI projects in collaboration with the EJN Secretariat and AMI steering committee.
- Coordinate and provide secretarial support for regular AMI Steering Committee meetings
- Assist the AMI SC with the institutionalization of the AMI
- Assist with implementation of the AMI Strategic Plan.
- Work towards the expansion and popularization of the AMI.
- In liaison with AMI SC members develop and implement AMI annual work plan
- Track, link and collate reports of Regional, National and District Alternative Mining Indabas
- Other relevant tasks may be assigned by the Secretariat or the AMI Steering Committee in line with the job description and outputs
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall project management processes within the organization.
- Conducted post-project reviews to identify areas for improvement and implement lessons learned in future projects.
- Enhanced team collaboration by organizing regular meetings, fostering open communication, and promoting knowledge sharing among strategic partners.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for seamless execution of complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Championed change management initiatives within the organization to support successful adoption of new processes or systems related to regional projects.
- Managed contract negotiations with external vendors, securing favorable terms that aligned with organizational goals and budgetary constraints.
- Established effective project reporting mechanisms, providing regular updates to senior leadership and stakeholders on progress, risks, and opportunities.
- Served as a key liaison between internal teams, stakeholders, vendors, and clients to facilitate smooth project execution.
International Land Coalition - LandNNES
National Land Coalition Coordinator
12.2022 - 11.2024
Job overview
- Spearheaded strategic engagement with stakeholders by initiating senior meetings, participating in sector events, and building relationships among civil society, government, and the research community
- Enhanced coalition collaboration through regular communication and organized meetings to align efforts across member organizations
- Conceptualized, planned, and coordinated program-related events, including conferences, workshops, and webinars, maximizing stakeholder participation
- Developed strategic communication materials, including opinion pieces, policy briefs, and government submissions
- Conducted in-depth research, providing valuable insights for coalition strategies
- Implemented evaluation methods to assess program impact, informing future improvements
- Spearheaded grant writing efforts, securing crucial funding for coalition initiatives
- Provided guidance and mentorship to interns, and actively engaged in the wider research community
- Completed the LandNNES strategy 2022-2025 which had been outstanding for 2 years and thereby secured substantial funding amounting to R758,264.00 and promoting gender-justice audits within the platform for gender mainstreaming
- Raised R 922,992.80 towards the NLC's implementation plan
- A total of R 1,681,256.50 was raised towards the platform's goals
- Recruited and re-engaged coalition members to assist with housing, workforce development, and education.
- Engaged and involved team members in weekly meetings and activities that moved coalition toward goals.
- Collaborated with chairperson to develop meeting agendas and facilitate meetings and activities.
UCT, UCLA & Harvard University
Project Coordinator and Research Assistant
02.2022 - 12.2022
Job overview
- Optimized workflows by streamlining paperwork and preparing essential materials, leading to increased operational efficiency
- Managed comprehensive ethics compliance, including meticulous documentation and proactive violation reporting
- Spearheaded participant recruitment and retention strategies, ensuring robust follow-up and engagement to meet study targets
- Ensured data integrity through meticulous collection and close collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI) team
- Maintained effective communication with key stakeholders, fostering a collaborative project environment
- Successfully conducted 48 qualitative interviews in English and IsiXhosa independently within a two-month period at the Gugulethu CHC Green Clinic
Sarraounia Public Health Trust & UCT
Qualitative Research Consultant
08.2021 - 02.2022
Job overview
- Conducted and translated in-depth interviews (IDIs) in five South African languages to assess pregnant women's understanding of health data consent
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance product development and formulated consent strategies based on 60 IDIs with healthcare staff
- Championed the importance of qualitative research, demonstrating its impact on driving meaningful change and innovation
- Mentored junior researchers in qualitative methodologies and best practices
- Part of the first South African researchers to use cognitive interviewing in a study by translating consent documents to test for understanding
Active! Siyashesha Incubators
Monitoring and Evaluations Specialist
03.2021 - 06.2021
Job overview
- Conducted fieldwork in diverse environments, adapting methodologies to overcome unique challenges
- Conducted 43 in-person interviews across 6 provinces
- Coordinated a team of 4 researchers
- Developed tailored research approaches, leading to significant societal contributions
- Synthesize large volumes of information to identify key trends and patterns
- Implemented rigorous data verification processes, enhancing reliability
- Translated findings into policy recommendations to support sector recovery
Werksmans Attorneys
Senior Researcher (Anthropology and Ethnographer)
07.2019 - 02.2021
Job overview
- Conducted in-depth ethnographic research, providing valuable insights into cultural practices, traditions, and social dynamics
- Developed comprehensive research designs and oversaw their implementation, ensuring methodological rigour and adherence to academic standards
- Led the planning and execution of fieldwork activities, including the selection of research sites and the coordination of research teams
- Engaged with key stakeholders, including community leaders, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, to foster collaboration and support for research initiatives
- Published a chapter on research findings with the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (Mistra)
- Successfully advocated for the protection of the Madimatle/Meletse Sacred Site
Active! Change Drivers
Research Transcriptionist and Translator
01.2021 - 01.2021
Job overview
- Translated and Transcribed audio recordings in 5 South African languages into English
- Conducted national interviews and authored fieldwork reports
- Reviewed and edited transcribed reports and corrected material for spelling, grammar, and clarity.
- Produced and delivered transcripts within anticipated timeframes to meet tight deadlines.
We Know Consulting - DALRRD
Knowledge Management - Research Consultant
04.2019 - 07.2019
Job overview
- Collect and document critical knowledge from various sources, including individual interviews, internal documents, research findings, best practices, and expert insights
- Analyze collected data and information to identify trends, patterns, and insights
- Promote a culture of knowledge sharing within the organization
- Gathered and organized information for research purposes.
- Reviewed document management protocols and user activities against internal records policies and document management standards.
- Provided assistance with inbound and outbound document processes, document sorting, logging, and work order creation.
- Collaborated across departments and levels of management to gain consensus on procedural documentation.
South African History Online
Historical Researcher
06.2018 - 07.2019
Job overview
- Conducted in-depth desktop research and wrote on archived library findings
- Authored and updated existing articles on historical events
- Investigated news, government, and church archives to locate important information about significant events.
- Located and outlined historical details about economic, social and political events to enhance knowledge of diverse geographic areas and cultural changes.
- Conducted historical research as basis for identification, conservation and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- Presented historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic or economic groupings.
Human Science Research Council (HSRC)
Ethnographic Researcher
07.2017 - 07.2018
Job overview
- Conducted nationwide ethnographic data collection for land use assessment
- Engaged with stakeholders for qualitative data on diverse land use perspectives
- Published reports and papers contributing insights to the land use field
Education
University of The Witwatersrand - WitsJohannesburg, South Africa
Masters's from Social and Cultural Anthropology
03.2025
University Overview
- Contemporary Theory in Anthropology
- Ethnographic Analysis and writing
- Critical Heritage Studies
- Critical Health, Humanities and of Art
- Research Dissertation
University of The Witwatersrand - WitsJohannesburg, South Africa
BA with Honours from Social and Cultural Anthropology
12.2015
University Overview
- Anthropological Theory
- The Craft of Anthropology
- Medical Anthropology
- Ethnography in Southern Africa
University of The Witwatersrand - WitsJohannesburg, South Africa
BA Arts from Industrial Psychology
04.2014
University Overview
- Organizational Behavior
- Organizational Effectiveness
- Employment Relations
- Employee Well-being
Personal Information
Gender: Female
License: Code B
Dependants: 2
Accomplishments
- Magic Mountain: The Spiritual Meaning of Land to South Africa's Rural Dispossessed, Past, and Present, 02/21
- Preferences for Onward Health Data Use in the Electronic Age Among Maternity Patients and Providers in South Africa: A Qualitative Study, 11/23
- Exploring Preferences of Long-ACTING PrEP Modalities Among Oral PrEP Experienced Postpartum Individuals in Cape Town, South Africa: A Qualitative Study, 02/24
- Experiences of Alcohol Use During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study of Pregnant Women at Risk of Acquiring HIV in Cape Town, South Africa,
- Translating the Consent Form is the Tip of the Iceberg: Using Cognitive Interviews to Assess the Barriers to Informed Consent in South African Health Facilities,
Timeline
Regional Project Coordinator
Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI)
11.2024 - Current
National Land Coalition Coordinator
International Land Coalition - LandNNES
12.2022 - 11.2024
Project Coordinator and Research Assistant
UCT, UCLA & Harvard University
02.2022 - 12.2022
Qualitative Research Consultant
Sarraounia Public Health Trust & UCT
08.2021 - 02.2022
Monitoring and Evaluations Specialist
Active! Siyashesha Incubators
03.2021 - 06.2021
Research Transcriptionist and Translator
Active! Change Drivers
01.2021 - 01.2021
Senior Researcher (Anthropology and Ethnographer)
Werksmans Attorneys
07.2019 - 02.2021
Knowledge Management - Research Consultant
We Know Consulting - DALRRD
04.2019 - 07.2019
Historical Researcher
South African History Online
06.2018 - 07.2019
Ethnographic Researcher
Human Science Research Council (HSRC)
07.2017 - 07.2018
University of The Witwatersrand - Wits
Masters's from Social and Cultural Anthropology
University of The Witwatersrand - Wits
BA with Honours from Social and Cultural Anthropology
University of The Witwatersrand - Wits
BA Arts from Industrial Psychology
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