Nigel​

Founder 

Nigel Branken is a Christian pastor and a passionate advocate for social and racial justice in South Africa. While his ancestry includes individuals who were involved in slave trading, Dutch colonisation, and the founding of the National Party that implemented Apartheid, Nigel is dedicated to undoing the legacy of these injustices. With over 28 years of experience in the development field, Nigel has worked on human rights issues, capacity building, policy and legislative development, project management, leadership training, and grassroots community level work with marginalised communities. Nigel values working alongside communities on the margins and has demonstrated this commitment through his work in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. In 2012, Nigel founded the NPO Neighbours, with the goal to "be good friends to our neighbours and good neighbours to our friends." Nigel holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Social Work) from the University of Natal (1994).

Trish

Co-Founder​

Meet Trish, a professional musician with over 30 years of experience playing the clarinet and piano. She holds a Bachelor of Music Honours degree from the University of Cape Town and has played in orchestras throughout the country. Trish also works part-time as a music teacher at schools in Johannesburg. Recently, she started a baking business called Neighbours Just Goods. Her passion lies in building community resilience in diverse neighborhoods, particularly in Orange Grove, promoting love, equality, and dignity through music enrichment programs, baking workshops, and children's educational classes. Trish believes in preparing communities for climate change through sustainable lifestyle practices and asset-based community development.

Jessica

Accountant

Jessica currently provides accounting services at Neighbours because she believes in what Neighbours stands for. Jessica emigrated from Zimbabwe in the mid-2000s. She then obtained her BCom Accounting degree from the University of Johannesburg. She is currently enrolled with the same institution where she is studying towards her BTCA, hoping to become a Chartered Accountant. Jessica hopes to extend the love South Africans showed her to many others through her work with Neighbours. ​

Moses

Advocate 

Moses has extensive experience in social justice and community development, having worked with faith-based organizations, government, and the business sector at various levels for over 15 years. He is the founder and current leader of a company that offers services to international businesses, helping them understand transformation and navigate the complex and diverse landscape of South Africa. Moses has also collaborated with labor organisations and company executives to promote racial and gender justice. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the University of Pretoria in 2005 and completed a year-long certificate course in Critical Diversity Studies with the University of Witwatersrand to better serve his clients in their transformation efforts. He is highly respected by his colleagues and he is a long-time friend of Neighbours. 

Gugu

Advocate ​

Meet Gugulethu, a driven advocate for human rights, youth empowerment, and poverty reduction. Her ultimate goal is to put an end to extreme poverty by identifying and addressing the systemic barriers that have kept generations of people in poverty. To do this, she is dedicated to advocating for human rights, implementing healing programs, and empowering individuals with creative and entrepreneurial mindsets. Currently, Gugulethu is pursuing an Honours Social Sciences degree at African Leadership University as a recipient of the Mastercard Scholarship.​

Loice

Volunteer

Loice is an exceptional barista, a loving mother of two, and a devoted friend. Her dedication and hard work have led her to be employed at Bean There Coffee Company since 2015. Loice's journey towards advocating for a living wage began when she worked as a domestic worker for the Branken family in 2008. She helped them understand the importance of fair pay and was involved in advocacy efforts. Even after the Branken family moved to Blauwberg Flats in Hillbrow in 2012, Loice continued to work with them and also became the hospitality manager of Neighbours' hospitality flat in the same block. She created a warm and welcoming environment for Neighbours' volunteers until 2015. Loice still maintains strong relationships with Neighbours and occasionally volunteers for them.

Beibie

Volunteer

Beibie is a joyful, energetic, persevering, compassionate, and courageous person. She crossed paths with the Branken family when she moved to the same block of flats in Hillbrow. Soon after, she began working for Neighbours on their refugee programs and volunteered with their work with the homeless community and at the Neighbours learning center, all within the same block of flats. Beibie also provided support to young people as part of her work for the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship. Additionally, she generously volunteers her time to Hillbrow's Judo For Peace Club and has recently started offering help with trauma debriefing for SAPS in Randburg.

Lerato

Friend 

Lerato is a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church) and leads a small Bible-based church focused on community-based ministry. She holds a B. Social Science degree from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree in the US. Lerato completed her internship at Neighbours and has since incorporated the principles she learned from Nigel and Neighbours into her church context in Ivory Park, ext 6. She organises a Saturday church initiative that provides meals for up to 60 children in the community. Additionally, the Saturday soup kitchen initiative provides an opportunity for RevRato to minister and advocate for the social, physical, and spiritual well-being of immigrant children.