Dr. Nomazwe Siziba Sivela obtained her PhD in Ag Economics from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa; MSc in International Rural Development from the Royal Agricultural University, England, UK; BSc Hons Ag Economics from the University of Zimbabwe.
She has infused her passion, understanding and experience, with diverse international sustainable development practice that includes capacity building, research, policy analysis, consultancy, program management, coordination, planning and implementation experience from Canada, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Nomazwe Siziba Sivela is originally from Zimbabwe but lived in England and South Africa before moving to Edmonton with her family three years ago.
A critical systems thinker with lived experience as a youth, a woman, unequal and having no access and therefore passionate about youth development and empowerment. She strongly believes that when youths are provided mental health and addiction support, they stand a good chance of developing life skills, resiliency capabilities, confidence, and improved self-esteem which are essential qualities in ensuring that they strive to realize their fullest potential.
Dr. Nomazwe worked in various organizations such as the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC) in Canada, ORAP Zenzele in Zimbabwe, and Tearfund in the United Kingdom, amongst others, where she has encouraged youths to strengthen collective social, legal, economic, peace, technological, cultural, environmental and mental health initiatives developed by youth.
Knowing that experience does not equal comprehension, seeing, and understanding, Dr. Siziba Sivela couples understanding with a background in education, international development, capacity building, training, research and business development in the fields of corporate governance, rural development, youth development and health economics. She will be dedicated to youth advocacy within the Alberta Community Togetherness Society and will strengthen collaborative and interagency working within the province of Alberta and beyond.
