Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a courageous leader committed to justice and equality, marked by compassion, humility, and the ability to inspire others. His legacy continues to inspire us to encourage young leaders to create a more equitable and just world.
The Leading for Humanity (LfH) Leadership Programme is an immersive experience that focuses on building core leadership competencies that underpin courageous leadership, inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s example. The goal of the programme is to catalyse the “million ripples” that make up “the tidal wave of change” in Tutu’s words. We aim to grow a generation of leaders with the courage to heal themselves and society. These leaders will redefine leadership not as positional or relative to others but as selfless leaders who do what they can, where they are, in their workplaces, and communities.
This programme aims to break down sectoral barriers and definitions while strengthening the interconnectedness of humanity. Our goal is to counteract the mobilisation of intolerance, hatred, and violence in response to injustice and dehumanisation. By bringing diverse groups together, we hope to overcome social divides that keep us separate and strengthen the interconnectedness of our common humanity.
The programme consists of a 7-day and 3-day residential programmes facilitated over a 3-month period, with online meetings and tasks to complete. A cohort of 17 emerging leaders has been selected to participate.
Meet the Leaders
Aghmad Gamieldien is the founder of Mzanzi Organics, a social enterprise promoting sustainable urban farming, forest making, and plant-based foods. He holds a Master’s degree in Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law from the Geneva Academy and the University of Geneva, which is relevant to his holistic work at Mzanzi Organics. Aghmad’s passion aligns with the principles of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation’s Leading for Humanity programme, which seeks to nurture compassionate and courageous leadership to tackle society’s challenges. Aghmad’s experience and commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate action make him an excellent addition for the programme.
Bonolo Rapoo holds a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Johannesburg, where she developed a love for programming and its potential to change the world. Bonolo joined the Raymond Ackerman Academy at University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus where she received mentorship to become an entrepreneur. She completed a 12 month software development learnership at the Digital Academy where she made web applications and mobile applications for Absa and other SMMEs. Beyond her professional achievements, Bonolo is also making a difference in her community as a Mathematics and Science tutor at Black Child Tutoring Services in Soweto, helping grade 12 learners apply for university admission.
Colin Mkosi is a young entrepreneur and law student who founded Cloudy Deliveries, a social enterprise providing bicycle delivery services for local businesses while creating employment opportunities for young people in the community. He is passionate about using entrepreneurship and the legal system to make a positive impact in society. Colin sees leadership as a key component in achieving his goals and hopes to develop his skills through programmes like the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation’s Leading for Humanity programme, which he believes will provide opportunities to learn from and engage with people from diverse backgrounds and communities.
Jacob Cloete is a filmmaker, researcher, and entrepreneur whose passion for writing and film began while he was a soldier in the South African Defence Force serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It was there that he purchased his first camera and fell in love with the art of filmmaking. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and his work feeds into a growing global scholarship on the politics of belonging, reflected in South Africa’s xenophobic response and Europe’s anti-immigration and anti-refugee policies. His post-doctoral work focuses on the Khoekhoe, San and the problematic ‘coloured’ identity in South Africa. Jacob directed and produced his first documentary film, “Bittersoet”, in 2018 and founded Abrasive Media in 2018, and since then, his documentary films have focused on the marginalised voices within society. His growing filmography, among others, includes “Stemme Van Clarkson”, “The Broken String”, “Bergsig”, and “Steek My Weg.” Cloete was a fellow at the Centre for Humanities Research at UWC. He presented papers at various conferences, seminars and workshops on various topics, including identity and belonging. He is also the manager of the ZoneLearning@UWC special project in the Office of the DVC: Academic at the University of the Western Cape.
Jessica Mamelasigidi is a One Young World ambassador and former UNICEF conference ambassador. Her passion for providing quality education to the youth is evident through her work as a tutor at Fun Learning for Youth (FLY), a not-for-profit organisation that provides tutoring to young learners in disadvantaged communities. She is also a member of the Grind Foundation which focuses on uplifting disadvantaged youth through education and mentorship. As a CA(SA) and investment banker, she strives to bridge the gap between society’s needs and what corporates and institutions can do to purposeful integrate into communities. Jessica is a shining example of what it means to be a leader in both the business world and in social activism, and she is sure to continue making a significant impact in both realms.
Jeremy Davids is the Academy Head of the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy. He has a wealth of experience in community building and he is a founder member of the Youth Affair Performing Arts Society and the Franschhoek Youth Forum. Jeremy has as an incredible love for people and are deeply involved in community development and small nation building. He served on the first Organising Committee of the Franschhoek Literary Festival and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Huguenot Museum and Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Board. Jeremy has won numerous awards, and is a fellow of the Young Africa Leadership Initiative’s third class, Nomvula.
Linda Dhladhla is an Allan Gray Makers Programme Manager: TVET Entrepreneurship. He holds a BCom Financial Management from MANCOSA and is passionate about youth development and student entrepreneurship. At Allan Gray Makers, he manages relationships with 50 TVET Colleges, coordinates the national Entrepreneurship Inter-College, and implements Entrepreneurship Education, among other responsibilities. Linda previously worked as the Student Engagement and Communications Officer at the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), where he coordinated national events and established a Studentpreneur Community of Practice. He has experience in media and communication, banking, sales and marketing, events organizing, and presenting.
Lorna Mlonzi is the Founder and CEO of Sky Internet SA (Pty) Ltd, an innovative Internet Service Provider start-up that is committed to bridging the digital divide. With a mission to transform the lives of individuals in townships, lower income areas and rural areas, Lorna founded Sky Internet SA to make a meaningful impact on the digital landscape of South Africa. As a black woman and a product of the township, Lorna understands first-hand the transformative power of connectivity and how access to the internet can change lives both professionally and personally. She believes that internet access is a crucial tool for transformation and aims to use her company as a vehicle for change. Under Lorna’s leadership, Sky Internet SA is changing the narrative of how we view our circumstances, spaces, and ourselves. Through innovative solutions and a commitment to social impact, the company is striving to become a powerful agent of change in South Africa. Lorna’s vision, passion, and commitment are inspiring others to think differently about the role of technology in shaping our future.
Luvuyo Madikane is a passionate community development advocate with extensive experience in capacity building, programme formulation, and project management. He is currently a Development Officer at the National Development Agency (NDA), where he plays a crucial role in eradicating poverty and enhancing the capacity of the civil society sector. Previously, Luvuyo worked as a Junior Lecturer for Community Development and Sociology at Cornerstone Institute in Cape Town. He also held various positions at the NDA from 2013 to 2015, including the role of Development Manager, where he managed and monitored developmental projects aimed at eradicating poverty in poor communities. Luvuyo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), an Honours Degree in Social Development from the University of Cape Town (UCT), and a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management from Regent Business School. He is currently completing a Master’s in Social Development at UCT.
Mbuyi Yanta is a mindfulness teacher and personal development trainer who has dedicated his career to creating positive change in his community. Born and raised in Khayelitsha, Mbuyi has first-hand experience with the many challenges facing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. He has witnessed the resilience and spirit of his community, which has inspired him to pursue a career that makes a positive impact on society. For several years, Mbuyi has been working with an organization that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in their personal growth, self-discovery, and leadership development. Through this work, Mbuyi has witnessed the power of providing young people with tools and resources to tap into their potential, cultivate their strengths, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. Mbuyi is deeply committed to social justice and human rights, and he believes that personal growth and self-awareness are essential for effective leadership. He is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other changemakers who share his vision and values through the leading for humanity programme. He is eager to contribute his passion, skills, and experience to the programme and to work towards a better South Africa and a better humanity.
Nkokheli Mankayi is a passionate non-conforming youth and a gender activist who has been part of the ACTIVATE! Change drivers network since 2015 as an activator. They have nine years of experience in youth and community development work including community youth activism, climate justice and action, and Gender justice. Nkokheli’s passion lies in mobilizing youth in policy advocacy and reform as well as community education around various socio-political issues. They currently lead the Generation G (ender) programme a global project based in the South African coalition, seeking to capacitate young people to be at the forefront of creating gender justice and violence free societies, under the long-term objective of mobilizing youth in their full diversity to promote gender justice and prevent gender-based violence. Nkokheli believes in the power of collaboration in all levels of society and that youth are an integral part of solving many of the issues currently faced by South Africa. Furthermore, they have experience in HIV prevention and awareness, sexual reproductive health rights, human rights and LGBTI rights. They believe that the knowledge and skills offered through the leadership programme will go a long way towards elevating the community and youth development work that they are currently doing at grassroots levels as well as helping them to connect to like-minded peers who can lead themselves and others with great integrity and serve South Africa’s communities with excellence
Rebecca Mwabvu is the Head of Global Health at Higherlife Foundation and has a wealth of experience in research, programme design, and M&E. She has experience in grant and programme management for social development and has worked with diverse teams leading the strategic planning and implementation of cholera elimination, ending neglected tropical diseases, maternal and infant health, disaster relief and preparedness projects for the Foundation in Zimbabwe. In addition, Rebecca has experience in investments, education, and philanthropy spanning more than 10 years, as well as 5 years of experience leading teams and strategic planning. Rebecca has rich stakeholder management expertise and the ability to engage with Government and multi-partners to ensure project success. She has over 10yrs expertise as a Health Economist and a certified Agile Project Management.
Siviwe Mbinda is a social entrepreneur and the founder of a Langa based non-profit Organisation called Happy Feet Youth Project; owner of Siviwe Tours. He is a 2016-2017 Red Bull Amaphiko Social Entrepreneur, an accolade that recognises young entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities. Siviwe’s newest venture is as co-founder and director of iThuba Innovation Hub located in Langa. Through this exciting new venture iThuba’s mission is to create and engage the community in future technologies, innovative problem solving and introduce STEM programs to the young people of the community through educational opportunities and experiences.
Tinashe G Mudziviri is a Community Development Leader in Zimbabwe with extensive experience in promoting academic excellence and sustainable development. He has played a pivotal role in leading the training of over 550 school leaders, impacting over 550 schools, 13,750 teachers, and over 550,000 learners. Tinashe has also managed and coordinated several other impactful projects, including improving numeracy and literacy training in 99 institutions that take care of orphaned and vulnerable children, recruiting 50 top talents in academic excellence, and leading the Mashonaland Central Province Sustainable Livelihoods project rollout implementation team, impacting over 6,000 rural farmers.
Tristan Johannes is a Gender Equality Activist, and currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Board of GenderWorks, Gender Equity and Reconciliation International (GERI’s) affiliate in South Africa. He is also a contributing author of the book Gender Equity and Reconciliation: Thirty Years of Healing the Most Ancient Wound in the Human Family. Tristan has ten years of experience of implementing and facilitating trauma informed, healing-based and skills development programs with young adults. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education Training from the University of Cape Town, and is an ordained minister in a Pentecostal Church. He is a Wellness Leader certified as a Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher. Tristan is passionate about advocating for LGBTQI+ equality, democracy education and community peace building. He has been instrumental in implementing and facilitating programs for healing between queer and straight believers in affirming South African churches under the leadership of GenderWorks.
Zintle Sono is an arts graduate from the University of the Western Cape, majoring in Psychology, History, and Anthropology. Originally from Langa, Zintle has honed her leadership, public speaking, and organizational skills through her work with the Ilitha Labantu organization. Additionally, she is a co-founding member of an after-school program called New Hope, which provides a home for children from Langa and Bonteheuwel. Previously, Zintle worked at an online accommodation agency before joining the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. Here, she serves as an Education Officer and Archivist for the Learning from Legacy programme, which focuses on youth learning from the example of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s life.
Zikhona Ndlebe is a powerhouse Lawyer, Researcher and Advocacy Officer of the Judges Matter Organisation. Dedicated to fighting for justice and creating a fair legal system for all, Zikhona holds an LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape, and completed her LLM specialising in Labour Law at the University of Cape Town in 2020. She’s an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a High Court Right of Appearance, and has worked at one of Cape Town’s most prestigious law firms specialising in Labour and Employment Law. With experience representing clients at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and the various Bargaining Councils, she’s a fierce advocate for those who need it most. Zikhona has also appeared at the Labour Court and has been involved in court cases up to the Labour Appeal Court.