Anneen brings a deep-rooted passion for rural empowerment and a decade of on-the-ground experience in community-led development. With a background in agricultural science and municipal planning, she weaves practical know-how with a fierce commitment to creating solutions that grow from the inside out—honoring the wisdom, voices, and resources within each community.

Anneen’s journey has been shaped by hands-on work across Southern Africa, where she has led and supported initiatives that turn local dreams into tangible, lasting impact. From revitalizing township economies to launching circular recycling projects, building bridges—literally—and uplifting elders in neglected spaces, Anneen’s work is infused with care, resourcefulness, and purpose.

Some of the community initiatives she’s helped bring to life include:

• Manyatseng Vegetable Production and Processing – a local food project run entirely by the community since 2017.

• Plastic Recycling Project – transforming waste into benches, bins, and pride for the Manyatseng township.

• Sepheo Foot Bridge in Lesotho – a volunteer-led construction project that reconnected a remote community.

• Old Age Home Revitalization – breathing life back into a neglected space now supported by local authorities.

• Residents and Business Associations – ongoing grassroots efforts to organize, sustain, and grow local initiatives.

Anneen is both strategic and deeply relational. She listens. She builds trust. She knows how to unlock potential where others might overlook it. Her presence at What Matters anchors the work in the day-to-day realities of rural life, reminding us that regeneration starts with respect—for land, for people, and for what communities already hold within.