South African born Coady graduate, Sadi Motsuenyane, has more than 50 years of community development experience. Retired from the Government of South Africa as the former Chief Director of Sustainable Livelihoods with the Department of Social Development, Sadi’s community work has spanned from the historical South African apartheid system, entrenched in racial segregation, to South Africa’s current democratic model installed in 1994. Despite the advancements made through South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), she says there is still much work to do to create Nelson Mandela’s dream of a “rainbow nation”.
“The way our settlements were during the apartheid, they’re still the same now,” Sadi says.
A graduate of StFX’s Coady International Institute, Sadi has been tireless in her fight toward social justice, and in implementing the asset-based approaches that she developed at Coady.
As a retiree, a mother, and a proud grandmother, Sadi emphasizes this journey of learning and sharing is not only lifelong, but a purpose to be fulfilled.
There are benefits to embarking on this journey later in life too.
Not only does retirement offer new freedoms, but she is also changing the face of retirement and inspiring leaders of the future.