Irene Menell

Irene Menell "was born in 1932. For over 50 years, she committed herself to the service of humanity by promoting democracy, equal education, human rights and non-racialism. In this regard, Menell made a significant contribution to different spectrums of South African society, including politics, education, community development, poverty-alleviation, philanthropy and the arts. Her passion for education, especially among black learners, remains one of her greatest legacies. She stood up to be counted during the height of apartheid and fearlessly, pioneered literacy initiatives for the benefit of disadvantaged black children. At the time when it was uncommon for members of the privileged white class to relate with others across the race barrier, she and her husband initiated countless relationships with people across all races and classes. Through these efforts, she contributed towards creating a united South Africa where diverse people live together in harmony. She continues to focus on developmental issues that affect the country. In 1979 she became the founding chairperson of READ, steering the national literacy programme to greater heights through many successes that proved beneficial to the marginalised.Through this literacy initiative, Menell sought to improve the standard of education among black learners. She mobilised resources to help train educators and established facilities for an enabling learning environment. Under her leadership, READ established more than 2 000 schools and community libraries while training over 200 000 educa-tionists and learners on the use of books as educational tools. Over the years, the organisation expanded its reach to teenagers who could neither read nor write properly, as well as teachers with inadequate training.Menell’s service to the people is rooted in her political background. Having worked as a manager for the late Helen Suzman’s Houghton constituency for over 25 years, she was no stranger to the injustices of apartheid. In the wake of the 1976 Soweto uprisings, Menell helped set up the Soweto Mayors’ Children’s Fund that operated as a crisis intervention resource to help traumatised children in the township.

"Realising   the    potential    to    make    a    much    greater    impact    on    the    development    of    South    Africa,    she    played    an    important    role    in    es-tablishing    the    Urban Foundation    in    1977    which    focused    on,    among    other    things,    urban    development,    housing    and    education    in    black    townships.    At    the    Urban    Foundation,    Menell    participated    in    the    design    and    management    of    different    projects,    including    a    bridging    programme    for    gifted    black    matriculants    and    a    community    upgrade    initiative    in    Orlando    East,    Soweto.    Menell    used    the    Urban    Foundation    to    advance    the    cause    of    education    among    black    children.    Her    dedication    to    quality    education    for    black    children    shows that she is a humane individual who relates to all people in society, regardless of race, class, age and gender.Beyond    politics    and    development,    she    also    has    a    passion    for    the    arts. For   many    years,    she    served    as    the    chairperson    of    the    Market Theatre Foundation. As   part    of    her    community    service,    she    participated    in    the    establishment    of    the    Johannesburg    Arts    Foundation,    a    community    centre    that    provided    professional    and    recreational    training    to    a    wide    range    of    South    Africans.Menell    was    also    the    founding    executive    director    of    the Human Rights Institute of South Africa,    set    up    following    the    Goldstone Commission. The   institute    was    established    as    an    independent    non-governmental    body    to    offer    professional    services    towards    the    promotion of human rights, peace and democracy in the country.

"Irene   Menell    spent    the    better    part    of    her    life    displaying    the    highest    values    of    service    and    patriotic    citizenship    in    South    Africa.   "She    recently    retired    after    many    years    as    chairperson    of    the    Board    of    Trustees    of    the    University of Cape Town. She   serves    as    a    trustee    and    executive    member    of    the    Nelson Mandela Foundation    and    the    Nelson Mandela Children's Fund."