A few words
About Us
History
We started in 2009 in Durban, South Africa at the 57th Session of the International Statistical Institute (ISI).
We are Young Africans in Africa and in the diaspora who are:
- Demographers, statisticians, demographers, population scientists, geographers, data scientists, environmental scientists, development economists and scholars of the host of disciplines that drive data for evidence-based planning and policy-making in Africa
- Young Africans learning from our elders and mentors, waiting to take over the baton of responsibility for knowledge-driven, data-driven, research-driven development in Africa
- Young scientists who want to be part of the solution, part of the engagement, part of the conversation on a better Africa by the Year 2063
- Remain indebted to Statistics South Africa for the foundation laid to make YASA today’s new reality for Young African Statisticians
- Professionals, students, and researchers. We are the African thought leaders of tomorrow
We have grown since 2008 when the seed was first planted to develop young African statisticians. Today we are an independent, registered non-profit organization (volunteer association) called the Young African Statisticians Association (YASA)
Our vision: To be a leading multidisciplinary African association in capacity building and empowerment of Young African statisticians and demographers through education, training, and research.
Our Mission: To empower and build the statistical, administrative, and research capacity of young statisticians and early career researchers in Africa through education, training, and research on public health, development, demography/population, administrative leadership, and management.
Leadership Team
Ms. Dorcas Kareithi (Kenya)
President
- Holds Masters in Biostatistics (University of Nairobi)
- Clinical Trials Statistician, Biostatistics Research Group (Newcastle University, UK)
- Previously a Head of Research (Research Design and Analysis) at CcHUB Africa -Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: KENYA
- Research interests include, Cancer Research, Routinely Collected Data
Dr. Felix Mamba (eSwatini)
Vice President
- Holds a Ph.D. in Geography, Environmental Studies, and Tourism (University of the Western Cape, South Africa)
- Lecturer (University of eSwatini’s Department of Geography & Environmental Science)
- Previously a Teacher at Lobamba National High School
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: SWAZILAND
- Research interests include, Food Security, Climate Change and Climate Variability, Urban Agriculture and Urban Livelihoods, Development and Environmental Studies
Mr. Kondwani Mpinga (Malawi)
Secretary-General
- Holds a Bachelors in Economics and Demography (University of Malawi)
- Data analyst at Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU)
- Previously a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (Mental Health) at Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo(PIH/APZU)
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: MALAWI
- Research interests include, Public Health, Mental Health, Malaria, Health Economics
Dr. Alia A. Amer (Egypt)
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL 1: Arab portfolio
- Holds a Ph.D. in African & Demo-Geographical Studies (Cairo University)
- Researcher, Lecturer & Head of Gender Equal Opportunities Unit, at Cairo Demographic Center (CDC)
- Previously a Researcher & Lecturer, Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies Cairo University
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: EGYPT
- Research interests include, Gender, Migration and Labor Force
Dr. Justin Dansou (Benin)
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL 2: french portfolio
- Holds a Ph.D. in Reproductive Health (University of Ibadan, Nigeria)
- Assistant-Professor of Demography (School of Statistics, Planning and Demography, University of Parakou, Benin)
- Previously a Research Assistant (Training and Research) at Institute of Demographic Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: BENIN
- Research interests include, Population and Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Education, Nutrition, Youth Inclusion and Family Transformation
Ms. Maphoka Qhobela (Lesotho)
TREASURER
- Holds a Masters in Applied Statistics (University of the Free State, South Africa) & currently a Ph.D. student in statistics (University of the Free State, South Africa)
- Research Assistant, Center for Teaching and Learning (University of the Free State, South Africa) and Independent Tutor: Rosebank College
- Previously a Lecturer at Rosebank College. Lecturer at National University of Lesotho. LePHIA regional coordinator.
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: LESOTHO
- Research interests include, HIV/ AIDS among youth and health statistics, Multivariate Analysis
Mr. Cavin Tolman (South Africa)
EXECUTIVE: OPERATIONs
- Holds a Higher Diploma in Statistics (Ecole Nationale Superieure de Statistiques et d’Economie Appliquee Cote d’Ivoire) and Certificate of Statistical Theory & Application (India)
- Assistant Statistical Officer (Statistics South Africa)
- Previously a Teaching assistant and Tutor at various schools (South Africa),
- Former ISIbalo programme coordinator (Stats SA)
- Research interests include, Migration, Immigration Patterns and the demand on health services in SA
Dr. Sean Sithole (Zimbabwe)
EXECUTIVE: marketing and COMMUNICATION
- Holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies (University of the Western Cape, South Africa)
- Post-Doc Research Fellow (University of the Western Cape, South Africa)
- Previously a Ph.D. Student (Development Studies) at University of the Western Cape, South Africa
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: ZIMBABWE
- Research interests include, Migration, Food Security, Remittances, Digital/Mobile Transfers, Social Media and Migrant Networks
Ms. Relobohile Bulane (Lesotho)
EXECUTIVE: membership and STAKEHOLDER management
- Holds a Masters in Statistics (University of the Free State)
- Lecturer (National University of Lesotho)
- Previously a Statistician at Lesotho Bureau of Statistics
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: LESOTHO
- Research interests include, Health and Agriculture related issues
Dr. Naomi Setshegetso (Botswana)
EXECUTIVE: CAPACITY BUILDING programmes
- Holds a Ph.D. in Economics (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
- Senior Lecturer (Department of Economics, University of Botswana)
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: BOTSWANA
- Research interests include, Microeconomics, Health Economics, Health Financing
Ms. Lillian Ayebale (Uganda)
EXECUTIVE: STRATEGY and research programmes
- Holds Masters In Demography (Makerere University, Uganda) and currently is a Ph.D. fellow (Makerere University/Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore)
- Also working as Senior Manager (Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning) at International Justice Mission (Uganda)
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: UGANDA
- Research interests include, Public Health, Community Health, Adolescent Health
Mr. Motimedi Sekhobela (South Africa)
EXECUTIVE: SCHOOLs programmes
- Holds a Bachelors Honours in Statistics (MEDUNSA, South Africa), currently is a MSc Student in Statistics Education (University of South Africa)
- Mathematics Educator & moderator (Brindhaven School, South Africa) and Independent Tutor: UNISA
- Previously a Senior Survey Statistician at Statistics South Africa
- Former ISIbalo programme coordinator (Stats SA)
- Research interests include, Statistics Education and the role of mathematical literacy in the misuse of statistics in public policy
