ABOUT US
“Education is not simply a moral imperative—it is the smart choice. Every dollar invested generates US$ 10 to US$ 15 in returns.” – UN Secretary General: Ban Ki Moon Tutudesk exists to directly address one of the most critical challenges found in Basic Education experienced by underprivileged, emerging market learners. We have proven over many years; “simple works” and works incredibly well, for both our primary beneficiaries as well as our donors.
Our ‘low tech’ (we call it ‘relevant tech’) product development and manufacturing approach utilises high-tech engineering and processes with constant ongoing innovation, including recycled inputs wherever possible. Tutudesk is manufactured ‘Fit for purpose’, with our proprietary material blend being:
- Strong
- Safe
- Durable
- Non-toxic
- Light weight
- Recyclable
TUTUDESK SPONSORS
AWARDS AND ENDORSMENTS
The Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign enjoys strategic relationships with a number of parties assisting us in the realisation of meaningful social development and ensuring the sustainability of our work:
Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu
Patron of our work since August 2005
Professor Shepherd Mayatula
Chair of our Advisory Board, Retired Chairman of the South African Government’s National Portfolio Committee for Education (9 years) and former senior MP.
African Leadership Institute
Inducted member since September 2008
African Leadership Network
Inducted member since January 2010
Product and Founder Awards
2005: Proudly South African Campaign SME New Business of the Year
2006: Endeavor – inducted Entrepreneur
2007: Innovation Town iHero Awards – Grand Prix winner
2008: African Leadership Institute – inducted member
2008: Desmond Tutu Fellow – Oxford University
2008: Proudly South African Home Grown Awards – Finalist
2008: Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards – Finalist (Social category) 2009: LINC Fellowship programme – Inducted member
2010: African Leadership Network – Inducted Member
2011: SEED Award (UNDP/UNEP)
2011: GSVC Award (Winner: Asia-Africa region)
2011: The Tech Awards: Global Humanitarian Laureate
2012: Eco Logic Awards (Finalist)
The Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign Centre
Board and Leadership Team
Thandi Tutu-Gxashe – Chief Executive Officer
Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe is the eldest daughter of Archbishop Desmond and Leah Tutu. An accomplished public speaker, Thandi is passionate about her research work in adult HIV treatment and research at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto. The issues close to her heart include racial reconciliation, South Africa, women’s issues and HIV-AIDS, equality - and…
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Shane Immelman – Chief Operating Officer
Shane is the founder of Kommunity Group Projects, a multi-national organisation specialising in the educational upliftment and development of underprivileged youth across the continent of Africa, using a unique model of media, corporate and development agency intervention. During 2011 Shane established the Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign Centre. Shane is a social entrepreneur with an interest…
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Laurence Woodburn – Director
Laurence is a seasoned change manager with twenty years of diverse business experience and holds BCom (Hons) and MBA degrees. Laurence brings a multi-disciplinary background, proven strategic vision and intellectual depth to the Campaign Centre team, coupled with a high level of creative and innovative with a focus for problem solving. He has a strong…
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Mpho Ntholeng - Director
Mpho Gift Ntholeng is the Founder and Managing Director of Mojo Box Corporation, a Proudly South African Social Enterprise born out of the need to address key social and developmental challenges which primarily affect youth. With the MojoBox innovation the organisation aims to encourage responsible sexual behaviour amongst youth by creating a fun social brand…
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Sam Singh - Executive Director Tutudesk UK
Sam started his career in the Merchant Navy (commercial shipping) at the age of 17 as an officer candidate "Deck cadet" and worked his way up to Captain. This career spanned 15 years and various shipping companies including oil giants Chevron and Shell. As an extremely young Captain, Shell picked him as their global brand…
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Sarah Shilson – Director Tutudesk UK
Sarah Shilson read law at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, before qualifying as solicitor and later being called to the Bar. She then practised as a solicitor including trusts work serving a number of charities, before taking a post in local government focusing on housing & homelessness. Currently serving as a magistrate, Sarah is also actively…
Read More The Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign Advisory Board
Gavin Launder – Strategy Advisor
Gavin began his career in advertising as a freelance copywriter and account manager. In 1998, he started a commodities brokering company specialising in stock rationalisation consultation and brokerage. After finishing numerous programmes for quasi state and private organisations, he moved into the consulting arena. A passion for skills development and strategy phase projects lead him…
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Lehlohonolo Chabeli
Chabeli brings with him over 20 years of work experience including 15 years within the International NGO environment. His extensive time in senior management roles, coupled with the last 7 years as Country Director (CEO) of World Vision South Africa have equipped him with the unique knowledge to assist with driving the Tutudesk Campaign forward…
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Grant Gelink
Grant was the CEO of Deloitte Southern Africa from 2006 to 2012, and currently serves on the audit committee of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Grant was previously Chairman of the African Children’s Feeding Scheme. Grant’s vast experience in Deloitte spans over 26 years and includes Lead Client Service Partner across a number of industries,…
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Peter Golding
After graduating from Stellenbosch University with a B.Accounting (Hons), Peter qualified as a Chartered Accountant at auditing firm Ernst and Young. Peter spent a further 2 years in management consulting at Deloitte before joining his family business. Over the years, the Pam Golding Group of companies has grown to more than 2,000 staff with offices…
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Professor Shepherd M. Mayatula
Professor Shepherd Malusi Mayatula (‘Prof’) is a retired member of the South African Parliament and retired Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education in the National Assembly. Prof. Mayatula holds numerous qualifications including B.Comm; B.Comm Honours (Economics); M.Comm (Economics) and M.A (Economics). In addition, Prof holds a Teachers Diploma (South Africa) and is a former…
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Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane Jr.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Eduardo moved to Tanzania in the early 60’s where his father, Dr Eduardo Mondlane founded FRELIMO (The Mozambique Liberation Front), and was elected its first president. Eduardo Jr moved to Mozambique in 1975, and from 1977 studied Political Science at UCLA, after which he established Mozambique’s first private events promotions company.…
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Robin Perks
Robin is the CEO and founder of the Aperture Group of Companies which provides executive and professional resourcing, staffing, strategic and consulting services to companies in South Africa and across the African continent. Additionally he is also the founder of Expand Africa, a strategic consulting business facilitating the expansion of companies (from across Africa and…
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Dan Vaughan
Dan Vaughan has served as Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s aide & advisor for many years, and initially joined the team in the capacity of Chairman of The Desmond Tutu Campaign Centre. Dan has subsequently taken a well-earned retirement, but continues to act as an Advisory Board member. Trained in organisation and methods with the Western Cape…
Read More The Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign Country Representatives
Tobias Masterton - United Kingdom
Toby has spent many years in the British Army, NATO and the UN serving in the Balkans, Middle East, Asia and Africa. He has been an expert adviser to both the European Union and African Union on peacekeeping, child soldiers, and sexual violence against women and children in conflict. He is currently a member of…
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Dipesh Dutt Sharma - India
Dipesh Dutt Sharma is the Managing Director (India) at Tutudesk. Dipesh has an MBA from Drexel University, Philadelphia and spent 17 years of international experience in Information Technology working with the global companies like Ford Motor Company and Sogeti (Capgemini). He has held consulting and leadership roles in Software Development and Delivery, Quality and Learning…
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Judith Mayotte - United States of America
Long an advocate on behalf of the world’s refugees and internally displaced civilians, today Professor Judith Mayotte focuses her attention on those displaced because of extreme weather events as she lectures and facilitates courses dealing with the imperative of caring for creation in a changing climate. Before moving to Cape Town, South Africa as…
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Salwa Amor - Middle East
Salwa Amor lives in London and works as a war correspondent and broadcast journalist. Specialising in Middle East affairs she has covered events in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, the West Bank and Israel for News Networks including Al Jazeera, BBC, MBC, Current TV, Reuters Thomson, Sky and Euronews. Her Masters was…
Read More Countries Where We Have Assisted
Country Feedback
South Africa
“The Department acknowledges the outstanding contribution your company is making towards the promotion of excellence in education. We wish to encourage your organisation to continue the good work it is doing.” Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education, South Africa
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Mozambique
“While it is every government’s intention to provide a first world classroom to their children the reality is that this will not happen overnight, we cannot afford to miss the current generation because we are looking too far into the future, the Tutudesk is a short term solution to a massive problem, we will deploy…
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Zimbabwe
“From our past experience working with the Lapdesk Company (Tutudesk’s forebear) we now know that Tutudesk is a highly effective, important solution to enhancing our children’s current educational experience – by providing them with an effective, portable working surface that they can use in their classrooms and at home” Senator David Coltart, Minister of Education,…
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Liberia
“Liberia is indeed incredibly fortunate to have you as a willing partner in assisting us in our nation building process through the invaluable assistance you have provided with the Tutudesks for our children....Because of your actions, we are able to further our mission in bettering the lives of the children of Liberia.” E. Othello Gongar,…
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Zambia
“Consequently this mismatch between school population and growth and the furniture supply means that a lot of children will have to... scramble for the insufficient furniture available at school. It is against this background that the ministry welcomes your initiative and indicates that it will be ready to work with you in this noble cause...”…
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World Vision
“I am looking forward to the incredible work and results that are going to be achieved in the coming years as a result of our strategic collaboration and working relationship, and most importantly – to the many millions of African children who will be beneficiaries of our work efforts.” Lehlohonolo Chabeli, Country Director and CEO,…
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Australia
“The Australian High Commission appreciates the strong partnership it enjoys with Tutudesk (Lapdesk) in delivering improved access to education. I am confident that we have a strong platform for ongoing cooperation in the future.” Her Excellency, Ann Harrap, High Commissioner, Australia High Commission to South Africa
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USA
“Tutudesk has been selected for recognition as a laureate by the Tech Awards in the Equality category. This is a tremendous honor and we celebrate your accomplishment. You represent the best technologists whose innovations benefit humanity, and we welcome you into our community... On behalf of the entire staff of the Tech Museum, The Tech…
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