Lenore Edwards is a public health and social development leader and currently serves as Secretary General of the Grandmothers Movement of South Africa (GMISA). She brings over two decades of experience working to improve the lives of children, families, and vulnerable communities across Africa, with a strong focus on community-led and sustainable development approaches. She has extensive expertise in programme design, curriculum development, and capacity building, particularly in the areas of HIV, tuberculosis (TB), gender-based violence prevention, and child protection. Her work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening integrated, community-based responses that improve health outcomes and social wellbeing.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with governments, non-governmental organisations, and international partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In these roles, she has contributed to the development and implementation of practical programmes that enhance frontline health services and expand access to quality care for children and adolescents. She is also the founder of the Sithokozile Early Childhood Development Centre, an initiative dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment for children from underserved communities, laying a strong foundation for their future development. Her professional work is grounded in a deep respect for community knowledge and resilience, particularly the vital role played by older women in sustaining families and communities. She is a strong advocate for the recognition and empowerment of grandmothers as key agents of care, support, and social cohesion.
As Secretary General of the Grandmothers Movement South Africa, she plays a central role in advancing the organisation’s mission to strengthen, support, and amplify the voices of grandmothers, recognising their wisdom, resilience, and enduring contribution to community wellbeing.