OUR STORY
Founded by Celeste Fortuin and Kailash Bhana, KhulaSaam is a collective of experienced non-profit professionals with decades of expertise in feminist research, policy development, and strategic advocacy. Our team supports organisations across urban centres and rural areas in addressing issues such as gender-based violence, child labour, and civic capacity-building. With expertise in gender mainstreaming, strategic planning, policy advocacy, organisational development, and monitoring and evaluation, we are equipped to help organisations achieve their goals and strengthen their impact.
Celeste Fortuin: Senior Associate
20+ years in feminist research, gender policy, and qualitative research
Advances gender equality and advocates for marginalised communities
Expertise in participatory methodologies and grassroots capacity building
Embeds feminist perspectives in policy and practice
Mentors academics in gender-related fields
Leads research on gender-based violence, women’s labour rights, and gender budgeting
Advances gender equality and advocates for marginalised communities
Expertise in participatory methodologies and grassroots capacity building
Embeds feminist perspectives in policy and practice
Mentors academics in gender-related fields
Leads research on gender-based violence, women’s labour rights, and gender budgeting
Kailash Bhana: Senior Associate
20+ years in gender equality & human rights
Expertise in gender-transformative and youth-inclusive policy
Led major gender audits, capacity building & strategic projects
Advised local and international organisations
Advanced gender justice in public policy & leadership
Expertise in gender-transformative and youth-inclusive policy
Led major gender audits, capacity building & strategic projects
Advised local and international organisations
Advanced gender justice in public policy & leadership
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
"Ms Bhana has outstanding interpersonal skills and develops professional relationships with key partners. She has an excellent work ethic and is able to translate client's strategic imperatives and goals into executable plans and activities that have an impact. I have no reservation in recommending Ms Bhana."
(Reference to work on Gender Workplace Policy and Gender Action Plan, 2019-2021)
(Reference to work on Gender Workplace Policy and Gender Action Plan, 2019-2021)
Anne Grunow
Chief Human Resources Officer, Fedgroup:
"Ms. Bhana has an excellent reputation and track-record of work in both the public and government sectors. Her experience has been extensive including conducting research studies for market research purposes and evaluation of the effectiveness of business strategies. She has an impressive work ethic producing consistently excellent outputs."
(Reference to research on Gender-Based Violence, shelters, and policing of domestic violence, 2012-2021).
(Reference to research on Gender-Based Violence, shelters, and policing of domestic violence, 2012-2021).
Claudia Lopes
Human Rights Programme Manager, Ingoude Company:
"Ms. Bhana and Ms. Fortuin played a pivotal role in the successful delivery of this project. Their responsibilities were wide-ranging and instrumental to its impact, including: Conducting an extensive literature review and scoping exercise to map existing GRB frameworks and best practices, both locally and internationally. Developing a detailed Inception Report that clearly outlined the project’s objectives, methodology, and key deliverables—laying a strong foundation for the project’s success."
(Reference to Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) framework development, March 2023 - July 2024).
(Reference to Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) framework development, March 2023 - July 2024).
Joint Initiative between Sonke Gender Justice and the South African Parliament: