Meet the Team
The Philippi area of Cape Town encompasses a unique and distinctive landscape, and is one of the last remaining agricultural areas in the Cape Town metropolitan area.
PEDI EXECUTIVES
THOMAS SWANA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Thomas Swana is a South African
whose family was driven into exile.
He was raised and educated in the UK.
PAUL STOHRER
PROGRAM MANAGER
Paul Stöhrer has a background in
Project Management, Operations and Logistics.
Stöhrer is program manager for PEDI.
ANTHEA SERRITSLEV
CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD
Anthea Serritslev is chairperson of the board.
She has been a key driver of the promotion
of Philippi as an economic hub.
PEDI KEY ROLE-PLAYERS
PEDI BOARD:
Director:
Mthobeli Clarence January – Chamber of Commerce.
Exec Director: Laphumilanga Youth Development Association.
Director of Operations: MC AfriQ Innovations (Pty) Ltd
Director:
Mondeka Mabibini – Director: UPhawu Community Development.
Director:
Nokubonga Mepeni – Founder Member & Deputy Chair: Ubuntu Bethu.
Director:
Siqhamo Batala – DA Councillor.
Director:
Patrick Ngqu – DA PR Councillor.
Director:
Rhoda-Ann Bazier – ANC PR Councillor.
Director:
Elton-Enrique Jansen – DA Councillor.
BR&E teams and their leaders:
Safety & Security
Thomas Swana, CEO, PEDI
Visible Policing of By-Laws
Jose Fernandes, MD, Baltimore Air Coils International
Service Delivery by the Municipality
Ken Newton, CEO, Kroonstad Terrazzo Works
Improvement of Existing Road Infrastructure
Adriaan Mobara, Operations Manager, Golden Arrow Bus Services
Supplier/Business Development
Paul Stöhrer, PEDI
The City of Cape Town’s Subcouncil 13 serves the area of Cape Town that coincides with PEDI’s focus.
The Subcouncil comprises Philippi, Weltevreden Valley, Samora, Kosovo Informal Settlement, Vlei Informal Settlement, Siyanyanzela Informal Settlement, Villages 2 and 4, Brown’s Farm, Lower Crossroads, Luzuko, Klipfontein Mission Station, Thabo Mbeki Informal Settlement, Philippi Industrial, Philippi Island, Airport, Crossroads (south of N2 Freeway, east of New Eisleben Road and north of Lansdowne Road) and Nyanga.
According to conservative estimates, the Philippi area is home to about 350 000 people, most living in informal structures, backyards and Council housing. Many have migrated to Cape Town from elsewhere in search of better healthcare, schools and work opportunities. The area features three community libraries, 14 schools, four health clinics, a sports complex and public transport interchanges.
The Subcouncil partners PEDI in several aspects of its community building work.
Subcouncil 13 has assisted in upgrading play parks, helped capacitate young people by offering youth empowerment and leadership skills programmes, started health programmes for informal meat traders and funded equipment such as mattresses, toys and books for many early childhood community centres.
The subcouncil’s jobseekers’ database is also used extensively by unemployed people and City line departments for temporary projects such as street and area cleaning. Other initiatives include partnering with the City’s Fire and Rescue Department to train community members in fire prevention.