Dr Sandra Joan Hansraj

I hold a PhD – Philosophy of Religious Studies (Summa Cum Laude). My research examined how Church and State (Government) could work together for the Common Good of all.

I also have a Diploma in Corporate Business Management incorporating modules on Commercial Law and Human Resource Management amongst other commercial subjects.

My Master’s Degree (Summa Cum Laude) thesis focused on Christian Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics.

I am a Certified ADR Mediator and have successfully completed the Program on Mediation (including Court Annexed Mediation & Rule 41A).

Through sheer hard work and perseverance in 1991 I earned the Millionaires Club Award for my sterling performance as an External Financial Consultant at the United Building Society. I was amongst the Top 20 consultants in the country. I set very high standards for myself and am satisfied with nothing less than an excellent job done. I am a very good communicator and an excellent negotiator and these skills have helped me achieve great success.

In 2011 I attended a fully sponsored Advanced Leadership Training Program, at the Haggai Institute in Maui, Hawaii. I was joined by 50 other professional women from around the world. This program included a component on Conflict Resolution. This experience was paradigm shifting and life changing, going from a local to global understanding of women’s issues, prevalent in many other countries.

I had the privilege to serve on the South African National Board of the Haggai Institute for 2 years as their Financial Trustee.

I am passionate about fighting for women’s and child’s rights and equality issues-especially gender-based violence (GBV), sexual harassment in the workplace and proper education for all children. As a women rights campaigner I have always advocated for economic empowerment, peace and security, for women. Women need access to decision making platforms, locally, nationally and globally in order to have their voices heard.

I am a Mentee – Alumna of the Cherie Blair Foundation- having completed their Women in Business Program in 2020.

I have spent over 40 years in civic work, not only through the church, but also supporting various NGOs. This took the form of not only financial help, but also personal involvement in the form of counselling/mediating many marital and family disputes. I was involved in youth development through the local church for 15 years. My years of service has been pro bono.

Soon after my appointment at the Bank in 1973, I very quickly became aware of the disparity between racial groups, rank and salaries and also the inequities of job reservation. I took up the cudgels to address these anomalies and challenged the status quo with management, and achieved a measure of attention and success concerning these irregularities.

I am a very multi- talented, multi-skilled, and determined person who has achieved much through sheer hard work and passion. My Christian upbringing and teachings have informed and developed my passion for serving the public and helping people to rise above their circumstances and become better people relationally, socially, educationally and financially. I have a passion for peaceful co-existence and social cohesion amongst all people.

My desire to interact with people groups from around the world propelled me to travel worldwide since 1974. I am a peacemaker.

In 2012 I co-founded and co- designed the Kimbajacks Mathematic toolkits to help learners from Grades 1 to 12 improve their basic Math skills, this, after learning that the World Economic Forum had rated S.A. learners last in the world for Maths and English literacy. My desire for our children to have a better education kicked in, and Kimbajacks Pty Ltd was born. I also homeschooled my son from Grades 6 to 12.

My passion for change and serving the poor and marginalized led me to pursue all avenues, and in 2016, I was invited to join the African Christian Democratic Party and in the 2019 National Elections I was nominated as one of the Top 5 candidates to serve in Parliament.

In 2020 I served as Chairperson of the KZN UCDP Women’s League and also served as the Deputy Chairperson in the Ethekwini Metro Regional Committee. I promoted women’s leadership and solidarity.

I look forward to continue to serve my community and country with excellence.