Dr Esther Makhetha.
The Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa is one of the special mechanisms overseen by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Working Group undertakes a number of duties, including providing guidance on alleged violations, studying relevant human rights conditions or situations, and conducting country visits.
Speaking on her appointment, Dr Makhetha mentioned that African women have been agitating for voice, representation and inclusion in decision making at the household level, nationally and at the international stage. As a result, I am truly honoured for being recognised and for receiving an opportunity to make a difference in communities across Africa,” she said.
Dr Makhetha is a prolific and highly regarded scholar in the field of human economy. Her research interests include agriculture, artisanal and small-scale mining, development economics, labour and migration, food security, gender, land reform, land needs and land use, political economy, social and cultural dynamics of rural development. Her qualifications include a Baccalaureus Degrees in Consumer Science Education (PGCE) (University of Pretoria), MSc Research, Agricultural and Food Economics (University of Reading, United Kingdom), PhD (Department of Anthropology & Archaeology, University of Pretoria).
Congratulating Dr Makhetha, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal said: “On behalf of TUT, we are proud of Dr Makhetha’s appointment to the expert committee and we wish her all the best in her new role.”