Meet our fearless leader…

Founder and Director – Thora Mansfield

Thora Mansfield founded The Open Door Crisis Care Centre in 1997 as a multifaceted, multi-disciplinary “ONE-STOP” trauma and counselling centre.

Thora is a well-known speaker on many topics including women’s and children’s issues and human trafficking. She has been the lead speaker at International Conferences on Human trafficking and Child labour locally as well as overseas.

Thora has also served on both National and International panels with experts in the field of human trafficking and has appeared on radio and TV She has dedicated her life to lobbying for better service provision for abused women, children at risk and victims of human trafficking.

The-Open-Door-Crisis-Care-Centre-Thora

Recognition

Thora Mansfield and her tireless work for The Open Door have been recognised in the achievement of many awards.

  • East Coast Extra Mile Award
  • Rose of Sharon Award for making a difference
  • Rotary Service Award – Pinetown Rotary Club. Service above self
  • Awarded Certificate of Merit 2005 Outstanding contribution to the community by SAPS
  • Regional Business Women Association Achievers Award 2008
  • Winner of the Business Women’s Association Regional Business Achievers Award 2010
  • Finalist KZN: KZN WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE: Category Life Achievement
  • Finalist in KZN Top Business Awards 2015
  • Organized and facilitated a WALK from Durban to Johannesburg over 6 days covering 700 kms with 20 Open Door volunteers and 20 SAPS from various parts of KZN Natal in May 2017. Creating awareness on anti-child trafficking, reaching over 10 million men, women, and children through Live TV: radio broadcasts, newspapers, media, and presentations.
  • Rotary Paul Harris Award 2018
  • Old Mutual and Independent Newspaper Community award
  • Women Demand Dignity White Ribbon award for outstanding achievement and contribution to the prevention of violence against women and children
  • Nominated Checkers women of the year 3 years running
  • Awarded Certificate of Merit 2005 by SAPS for Women and Children’s issues
  • Standard Bank Certificate of Recognition 2008
  • 2012 Finalist: Durban Chamber of Commerce/EThekwini Municipality
  • Recognised as SA hero in SA Leads
  • Nominated for Diakonia Award 2015
  • Certificate of Appreciation 2017 for Outstanding Contribution to the Community from the Department of Social Services