Eric Oswald Apelgren has twenty-two years’ experience in International development, civil society institutional development, local government governance and education. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science and a Higher Diploma in Education Counseling and Geography Methodology, from the then Natal University (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Durban, 1985

He is currently Head of International and Governance Relations Department in eThekwini Municipality.

His work experience includes:

  • Senior Manager – New Tourism Product Development, KwaZulu Natal Tourism Authority,
  • Regional Director, KwaZulu Natal, Idasa – Institute for Democracy in South Africa,
  • Regional Coordinator, KwaZulu Natal – Institute for Multi-Party Democracy (MPD),
  • Development Officer, KwaZulu Natal – Catholic Archdiocese of Durban,
  • Secondary school teacher, Department of Education and Culture

His leadership and community involvement include:

Currently:

  • Non-executive board member of Innovate Durban
  • Chairperson of Operation Jumpstart Association
  • Vice Chairperson of TREE – Training Resources for Early Education
  • Board Member of the Chatsworth Youth Centre.
  • Associate member of Smart Exchange
  • Board member of Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa. (WESSA)
  • Chairperson of the KZN Network on Violence Against Women
  • Chairperson English Resource Unit, Durban – promoting adult basic education programmes to workers, rural women, inner city poor and peri urban residents living in informal housing settlements.

Previously:

  • Board member of Mfundoyesizwe trust – building schools in KZN
  • Trustee of the Bat Centre
  • Accredited Mediator on Land and Community disputes.
  • Founding member of the Wentworth Improvement Project – programme to empower youth and especially gangsters and youth in trouble with the law.
  • Member National NGO Coalition, KwaZulu Natal NGO Council
  • Accredited Observer for the Independent Electoral Commission
  • Member Coordinating Committee KwaZulu Natal Forum on Education for Democracy (network of 40 NGOs promoting democracy education, peace, human rights and development).
  • Member screening committee, South African Council of Churches, screening projects for funding and supervising fieldworkers.
  • Focus on rural economic empowerment. Member local chapter of SACC Development in Ministry
  • Provincial Secretary NCCR (National Coordinating Committee for the Repatriation of South African Exiles) Managing repatriation and integration programmes of all South African exiles