Naeem Francis is a self-educated professional, and acquired his knowledge and skill sets via life long learning in a variety of environments and sectors such as the private, corporate, public, and civil society domains. The accrual of predominantly practical learning and training forms the greater part of his being.  

He worked throughout the construction industry and to project /contracts management. This ability and skill-set was earned partially during adolescence and his post matric serving of an apprenticeship and thereafter a qualification as a painter and decorator master craftsmen. Over the years, he has successfully managed multi-million-rand projects such as the overhaul of the Stilbaai Harbour, extensive maintenance of Groote Schuur Hospital, amongst others. Naeem has also worked and lectured in the advertising / communications industry over an extensive period of years. His experience in this sector was honed further by the establishment and running of his own below the line advertising studio. He served on the steering committee of Cape Town Movie Studios as a brand specialist during the pitch for the then desired film hub in the Culemborg precinct Cape Town.

Naeem also worked in the food security environment around innovative technological solutions, via government initiatives. In 2019 he teamed up with an agricultural and horticultural guru, occupying public land in Bridgetown, Athlone and named it “Little Valley” and began an organic food garden with surrounding neighbourhood kids. The elements of creating self-sustainability, healthier eating, mentorship and training coupled with creating a safe outdoor environment for the kids, attracted him to invest lots of time assisting and getting this project off the ground. 

In November 2020 he became liaison of an interim secretariat under the auspices of the Gatesville Informal Traders Associate (GITA). The livelihoods of this historical community of “hawkers” found itself under threat by The City of Cape Town. Naeem is founding supporter of two contemporary civil society organisation namely SA1st Forum as well as UniteBehind and serve on the executive of the D6 Beneficiary Trust.

“I’m passionate about the youth, and their development, and serving alongside them excites and humbles me. I’m a keen volunteer in a variety of social consciousness organisations, as effective change happens at grassroots level. “Naeem Francis