Affiliations Committee/Candidates/2025/Chandapiwa Malema

Chandapiwa Malema (Chandapiwa Malema)

Chandapiwa Malema (talk • meta edits • global user summary • CA)

Preferred name	Chandapiwa Malema
What languages do you speak, and at what fluency level? (Please include your English proficiency.)	English – Level 4: I can have advanced discussions on a wide range of topics including technical subjects. Setswana – Level 5: Native speaker with full fluency in reading, writing, and speaking. Kalanga – Level 2: Limited conversational ability and basic comprehension.
What region(s) of the world do you have experience with, and what kind of experience do you have? (“Experience” can mean you have lived or worked there or are currently living or working there; you’re familiar with the culture and language; etc.)	I have experience in Southern Africa, specifically Botswana. I am familiar with the culture, languages (including Setswana), and social issues in the region. Through my volunteer and my role as the community manager, my work in the Wikimedia Community User Group Botswana, I have worked on projects that focus on content gaps, gender equity, Indigenous language preservation, and representing Botswana’s cultural and historical knowledge online.
What Wikimedia project(s) do you actively edit? And in what language(s)?	I actively edit Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikiquote. I contribute in English and Setswana, especially focusing on creating and improving Setswana-language content.
What affiliate(s) are you actively involved with? In what capacity are you involved? Do you serve in a leadership role or have you in the past?	I am actively involved with the Wikimedia Community User Group Botswana. I contribute as the community manager, volunteer editor, event participant and organiser, and content creator. I have taken part in community activities such as edit-a-thons, competitions, and cultural documentation projects. My work includes creating Setswana articles,organising events, improving content on both english and setswana Wikipedia, and participating in visibility campaigns.
Have you served on any committees (movement-related or otherwise)? And what was your role on the committee(s)?	I have not yet served on committees in the Wikimedia community, but I have been involved in community-led initiatives and informal planning groups within Wikimedia Botswana. Through these roles, I have gained experience collaborating with teams, supporting events, and contributing to decision-making processes.
Please describe any experience you have with conflict resolution and/or consensus building.	I have experience engaging collaboratively in community projects, where consensus building is essential. During Wikimedia activities, I work with editors and of different backgrounds to align on goals, discuss improvements, and resolve disagreements constructively. I focus on listening, being neutral, and following community policies to help reach shared understanding.
In your ideal world, what does the affiliate model and ecosystem look like?	In my ideal world, the affiliate ecosystem is inclusive, collaborative, supportive, and well-resourced. Affiliates would have clear guidance, strong community engagement, and reliable mentorship. They would collaborate across regions, share best practices, and build capacity for smaller or emerging communities. Language diversity, gender balance, and representation of underrepresented groups would be central.
In your ideal world, what are AffCom’s roles and responsibilities in relation to the movement and affiliates?	AffCom should act as a supportive partner to affiliates—providing guidance, reviewing applications fairly, supporting governance, and helping new or struggling groups develop sustainably. It should ensure affiliates follow good governance practices while helping them grow, collaborate, and align with the Wikimedia Movement Strategy.
What role within AffCom are you most interested in: advisory or voting member?	Advisory Member because I am applying for the Advisory Member role. I believe this position aligns well with my current level of governance experience while still allowing me to meaningfully contribute to AffCom’s work. As an active member of Wikimedia Community User Group Botswana, I bring regional, linguistic, and cultural perspective—especially on underrepresented communities, gender representation, and Setswana-language projects. The advisory role will allow me to support discussions, provide valuable insights, and learn from the committee’s processes, while gradually building the skills needed for future leadership within the movement.