Fort Hare Activist School 2026

Beyond Protest, Towards Power

Group and Institution Banner with the 25 talented youth leaders — Creator: FES South Africa

Meet the 2026 Fort Hare Autumn School Advocacy Fellows

The Fort Hare Autumn School Leadership Programme (FHAS) is a political and civic education programme. Founded in 2011 the programme seeks to sow some seeds of free and critical thinking and an understanding of Social Democracy in promising young students. The programme includes 25 students from different institutions based in the Eastern Cape (Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University and University of Fort Hare). The programme comprises of three modules that take place over the duration of 12 months.

Over the years, the school's curriculum has undergone several reviews and changes. In 2024, a decision was made to change the school's name from Fort Hart Autumn School, which had confined its year-round programme to a single season, to Fort Hare Activist School. This new name reflects the school's commitment to progress and its ongoing relevance.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is delighted to announce the Fort Hare Activist School class of 2026 — the 12th class!

Please join us in congratulating these 25 talented youth leaders

Nelson Mandela University

Group and Institution Banner Nelson_Mandela — Creator: FES South Africa

Chevandre Louw is a final-year BEng Mechatronics student at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, who grew up in Alicedale in the Eastern Cape. Despite early academic struggles, Louw has developed a commitment to supporting others through education and mentorship. Alongside his engineering degree, he works as a facilitator for Social Consciousness and Sustainable Futures (SCSF) in NMU's DVC: Teaching and Learning office, and leads Ujima Mentors—a peer mentoring initiative that pairs students across the university's faculties to improve the student experience.

Louw's impact extends beyond campus. He sits on the founding Core Team of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association South Africa (HELTASA) Student Forum and was named one of eight students nationwide as a 2026 Siyaphumelela Scholar—an honour recognising academic promise and resilience. Throughout his work, Louw consistently applies systems and design thinking to scale human-centred practice grounded in Ubuntu philosophy and a culture of care, believing that meaningful change happens when we centre the wellbeing and dignity of those we serve.

Petrus Prinsloo is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, South Africa. His doctoral work sits at the cutting edge of nuclear medicine and radiochemistry, aspiring for his research to contribute meaningfully to more equitable access to advanced medical care across the African continent.

Petrus's academic journey began at Nelson Mandela University, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry, followed by an Honours degree and a Master of Science in Chemistry. His path has been defined both by academic achievement and by a consistent drive to push beyond familiar boundaries.

This spirit of deliberate, strategic ambition has led to participation in programmes including the SA-JINR International Student Practice and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Fort Hare Activist School, along with a self-guided 11 month research internship at the University of Oldenburg in Oldenburg, Germany during his Masters.

Petrus has served in several leadership positions during his academic career. From serving as a high school prefect to student representation at both undergraduate and post-graduate level at NMU, where he has also participated in multi-level strategic planning. He has built a track record of engaging constructively with institutions and advocating for the people within them.

His long-term aspiration is to work at the intersection of science and international policy in order to contribute to capacity development spaces where technical expertise can directly inform the decisions that shape how science serves society. He believes that researchers from the Global South have a critical and underrepresented role to play in these conversations, and he is building deliberately toward making an impact in these spaces.

Petrus sees the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Fort Hare Activist School as an important part of his journey as it provides an opportunity to deepen his understanding of the social and democratic dimensions of the change he wants to contribute to, and to connect with a community of young leaders who share a commitment to building a more just and equitable world.

Samantha Nhabete is a passionate economics student at the Nelson Mandela University, driven by two pillars: service and community. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that true liberation begins with how we educate ourselves, our children and our ability to organize our communities.

She is an education activist with a primary focus on Foundation Phase education. Samantha understands how it feels to navigate school without any guidance, which is why she advocates for children to learn self – actualization, identity and consciousness from an early age. Her advocacy and sense of purpose have been deeply shaped by her journey in pageantry. Beyond the stage, pageantry has empowered her to speak truth to power through community outreach, group work, awareness campaigns and child and youth development.

Samantha currently serves as the Chairperson of Rethinking Economics for Africa (REFA) at her institution, where she leads efforts to organize for change and build a student society which creates a space that encourages students to think beyond the classroom, to question our economic landscape and to see themselves as active agents of social change.

She aspires to see a future of inclusivity, transformational change and real growth in capacity and community.

Xolile Simphiwe Ngwatyu is a South African creative, marketer, and social development practitioner from Orange Farm, Gauteng, currently based in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape—a journey that has taught him that "home" can sometimes mean several provinces and a very long bus ride. A graduate in Marketing Management with majors in International Marketing and Small Business Management, Xolile has built a multidisciplinary profile across youth development, disability inclusion, culture, creativity, and social innovation, turning what could have been scattered interests into a coherent career.

Currently, Xolile serves as a Social Media Marketing Specialist at the University Accessibility and Disability Services (UADS) at Nelson Mandela University, using digital communication and storytelling to promote disability inclusion and accessibility while amplifying the experiences of students with disabilities. As a neurodivergent person himself, this work has given him personal perspective on how institutions, environments, and systems can either enable participation or quietly make life unnecessarily difficult. He is also Projects Manager at Rhythm Syndicates (RS), a youth-led cultural innovation initiative focused on preserving disadvantaged African languages through music and creative expression—work recognized through the SDSN Youth South Africa Innovation Challenge. His journey has included student leadership across multiple platforms: serving as Choir Director and NMU Choir Executive Committee member, Projects Officer within Enactus, and soft-skills facilitator, shaping his understanding of leadership as service, collaboration, and community building.

Xolile is particularly interested in youth unemployment, disability inclusion, cultural preservation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. He asks the uncomfortable questions: Who gets included? Who gets left behind? Who gets to make decisions? For him, activism extends beyond protest—it is about political education, storytelling, organising, creating platforms, and building sustainable initiatives that give communities greater agency over the issues affecting their lives. He sees the Fort Hare Activist School as an opportunity to deepen his understanding of activism and organising while learning from others committed to building a more just and participatory South Africa.

Zwivhuya Arnold Nethonzhe is a Master of Arts candidate in Public Administration at Nelson Mandela University and an emerging young leader with a strong interest in public service, social justice, democratic participation and youth development. His academic journey includes a Diploma in Public Management, an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration and Management, and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Administration, all completed cum laude. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Public Administration.

His interests centre on governance, service delivery, community development, public participation and the relationship between citizens and public institutions. He is particularly interested in how government can become more accountable, responsive and connected to the communities it serves.

Beyond academics, Zwivhuya is actively involved in student development and leadership. He serves as a Tutor in the Department of Public Management and Leadership at Nelson Mandela University, where he supports students academically and contributes to their growth. He also serves as a Cluster Convener in the Siyaphumelela Mentoring Programme, helping to coordinate mentors and strengthen student support. In addition, he is Chairperson of the SAAPAM Student Chapter at Nelson Mandela University, where he contributes to student leadership, academic engagement and conversations on public administration and governance.

For Zwivhuya, leadership must be useful. It should create opportunities, open doors, build confidence and leave people better than it found them. He believes that education and leadership carry a responsibility to serve others and contribute to meaningful social change.

What do we fight for together?

We fight for a South Africa where democracy is experienced in everyday life, not only during elections. We fight for dignity, equality, justice, opportunity and meaningful participation.
We fight against inequality, unemployment, corruption, gender injustice and exclusion. We fight for ethical leadership, accountable institutions, responsive public services and a society where young people are taken seriously as leaders and active citizens.

Most importantly, we fight for a country where a person’s background does not determine how far they can go. Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Our responsibility is to close that gap.

For Zwivhuya, this fight is about building a democracy that works for people, a public service that respects people and a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It requires courage, solidarity and collective action.

We do not build a just society alone. We build it together.

Rhodes University

Hlumelo Lento is a Political and International Studies Honours student at Rhodes University, with a Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration from the University of Fort Hare. Her academic interests include African governance, migration and identity politics, public policy, inequality, political education, and peace and conflict studies. Additionally, she is passionate about youth development, gender and social justice.

Her activism is rooted in the belief that knowledge should not remain confined in elitist spaces, but should empower people to understand their rights, question systems of inequality, and participate meaningfully in their communities. Her current research explores the relationship between spatial inequality and political knowledge among black rural youth in South Africa, particularly focusing on how unequal access to resources, information, and opportunities can shape young people's political participation. This work reflects her broader interest in questioning how structural inequalities influence who gets to participate, whose voices are heard, and whose knowledge is recognised.

Recently, she has also been part of a campus voter education campaign, where she worked with fellow students in encouraging informed political participation of young people by sharing knowledge on the importance of local government elections and informed political participation. As an advocate of political education, she believes in creating spaces where young people can see themselves as agents of social and political change. She is working towards becoming a politically conscious public servant, researcher and activist who contributes to building more fair, democratic and socially responsive communities.

Majatladi Nepo Leshaba is a poet, writer, and Black, first-generation postgraduate student born and bred in Jane Furse, Sekhukhune, Limpopo. Currently pursuing a Master of Social Science in Social Policy, Governance, and Multistakeholder Partnerships at Rhodes University's Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), Majatladi holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Organisational Psychology and Industrial and Economic Sociology, along with an Interdisciplinary Honours in Social and Economic Policy. A 2025/26 Rhodes University Career Champion and Golden Key International Honour Society member, they investigate the National School Nutrition Programme, asking why a programme feeding over nine million learners daily still fails so many children in Limpopo—an act of activist inquiry aimed at making the state legible so communities can hold it accountable.

Majatladi's activism is grounded in the conviction that social change is built in relationships, not just rhetoric. As a 2025/2026 Sophumelela Youth Development Programme volunteer mentoring and tutoring learners from marginalised rural schools in collaboration with the Allan Gray Centre for Leadership Ethics and Rhodes University Community Engagement, they create spaces for young people to name their own oppression and build their own responses. A learner once told them: "This is the first time an adult asked us what we think, and then waited for the answer." That sentence, they say, is their activism education in one line. They stand for a politics of presence and accountability—showing up consistently, holding space inclusively, and doing the unglamorous work of taking responsibility for those in their care.

A former 2019 Florapark Comprehensive High School President and Learner Representative Council Committee advisory member for all Capricorn South District schools, Majatladi is working towards a South Africa where governance systems serve the people they claim to serve. They came to the Fort Hare Activist School because they refuse to pretend to have a finished politics, seeking to be in rooms with people who will push back on their assumptions and understand that collaboration is the harder work of building something together across difference.

Sinalo Jako is a young activist, political thinker, and unapologetic Black radical feminist who believes that freedom must be more than a word inherited from those who came before—it must be something people feel in their everyday lives: in the dignity of having a home, in access to quality education, in substantive economic opportunity, in bodily autonomy, and in the freedom to imagine a future beyond inequality. Currently completing her Master's degree in Political and International Studies at Rhodes University, focusing on feminism, fallism, and decolonial praxis in higher education across two Eastern Cape universities, Sinalo engages young people through teaching and practice, bringing her political convictions into action.

Deeply passionate about social justice, Sinalo grapples with the persistent questions that cling to South Africa's institutional fabric: Why do race, class, and gender still so profoundly shape people's lives more than three decades into democracy? What does freedom mean to a generation facing unemployment and inequality? And most importantly, what do we do about it? She is deeply committed to youth political participation, feminist organising, and building the kind of political consciousness that moves people from recognizing injustice to collectively acting against it. As a Black feminist, Sinalo draws inspiration from traditions of radical thought that insist on the humanity and political agency of marginalized people, believing feminism must confront the structures that make inequality possible rather than simply offering representation and empowerment rhetoric.

For Sinalo, leadership is not about having all the answers or being the loudest in the room—it is about courage, conviction, and the ability to bring people together to think, dream, and act collectively. It requires listening, learning, accountability, and knowing when to challenge others and yourself. As part of the FHAS 2026 cohort, she views the programme as an opportunity to sharpen her political imagination and develop practical tools to translate conviction into meaningful change. Ultimately, she is working towards a life of purpose and impact, contributing to movements, ideas, and communities that refuse to make peace with injustice—standing for a South Africa where freedom is not a privilege, dignity is not conditional, and young people are not told to wait for their turn to change the world.

Thulisa Base (they/them) is a second-year Master's student in Social Sciences—Political and International Studies at Rhodes University, grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu and a deep commitment to social justice. Beyond their academic pursuits, Thulisa works as a student assistant at the Rhodes main library circulation desk, serves on the Political and International Studies department marketing team managing social media and events, and works as a first-year tutor—roles they embrace because they understand how critical supportive mentorship is during the transition from high school to university.

Shaped by their mother and grandmother's engagement with community, and by their time at Christel House South Africa where they were instilled with principles of respect, responsibility, independence, and integrity, Thulisa operates from the belief that societal progress depends on collective action and shared responsibility. As they often heard growing up: "awulazi ingomso likuphathele ntoni"—do the best you can for another person today because tomorrow it might be you in that position. As a queer person navigating existence as the "other" in South Africa—marked by both race and sexuality—Thulisa's activism is rooted in the lived experience of displacement and the fierce determination to ensure that their community and they BELONG. This experience informs their unwavering commitment to challenging oppressive systems and dismantling the structures that render Black people, particularly women and gender diverse individuals, invisible and undignified.

Thulisa fights for systematic liberation, collective dignity, and cultural reclamation. Their vision is a South Africa where breathing, living, and loving as your authentic self is not an act of survival, but a celebrated expression of community—"to share to care to make a difference."

Tinotenda Gokora is an emerging labour rights advocate holding a Bachelor of Social Science honours degree with distinction and currently pursuing a Master's degree in Social Science at Rhodes University. Through their academic journey in Industrial and Economic Sociology, Tinotenda has developed a keen interest in workers' rights, decent work, inequality, and collective organising. As a Research Assistant with NALSU, student mentor, tutor, and community volunteer, they have cultivated experience in research, education, leadership, and collaboration—work grounded in the conviction that meaningful social change must centre the voices of those often overlooked and create spaces for their meaningful participation.

Tinotenda's activism is anchored in listening to workers and building stronger movements for collective dignity. Their vision is to contribute to robust worker movements and advance decent work and social justice across Africa, recognizing that liberation and equitable living conditions are rights that must be fought for collectively.

University of Fort Hare

Aphelele Vava is a third-year LLB student at the University of Fort Hare with a passion for Political Science and Medical Jurisprudence. A committed student activist recognized for his independent leadership style, Aphelele currently serves as Chairperson of the Law Faculty Student Council, where he represents students on academic matters and faculty concerns. A Canon Collins Scholar—a prestigious London scholarship recognizing leadership and academic excellence at tertiary level—he expresses his ideas through essays and blogs addressing contentious issues such as curriculum decolonization and the Constitution's unfulfilled promises to Black South Africans.

Throughout his academic journey, Aphelele has held multiple leadership roles: Additional Eastern Cape Provincial Member in the Representative Council of Learners (2023), Treasurer General for Junior Chamber International (2024), Facilitator for first-year law modules at the Teaching and Learning Centre (2025), and Deputy Chairperson of Labour Aid South Africa at the University of Fort Hare. Beyond campus, he regularly visits local schools to mentor youth, raise awareness about persistent social issues, and provide free tutoring. He has also been invited to radio stations to educate communities about their labour rights.

Grounded in the teachings of Steve Biko and Frantz Fanon, Aphelele envisions himself as a decolonial legal scholar and public intellectual. His immediate goal is to become a political analyst and founding director of "Izwe Lethu Malibuye Political School," where he will analyze laws and government policies. He aspires to pursue a Doctorate in Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. As Fanon writes in Wretched of the Earth: “To educate the masses politically does not mean making a political speech. What it means is to try, relentlessly and passionately, to teach the masses that everything depends on them.”

Asonele Magwaxaza is a young activist, motivational speaker, student leader and emerging economist, originally from Mthatha, Eastern Cape. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in economics at the University of Fort Hare.

His leadership journey began early. In 2017/18, he served in the Learners’ Representative Council at Kwanobuhle High School as Head of the Disciplinary Committee. At university, he became involved in political, academic and social student formations and, in 2025, served on the University of Fort Hare Student Representative Council as Academic Affairs Officer before becoming Acting ISRC President.

Asonele stands for democratic participation, accountable leadership, education, economic opportunity and the empowerment of young people. His activism demonstrates that leadership is not only about holding a position; it is about using that position to represent people, raise difficult questions and demand accountability. Beyond formal activism, Asonele uses communication and motivational speaking as instruments of social transformation, he is using social media to encourage resilience, confidence, leadership and personal development among young people.

He is working towards a South Africa where education becomes a vehicle for economic mobility, young people have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them. He represents a generation seeking to move beyond protest towards power, participation and transformation. As an activist, he believes that young people must educate themselves, organize, lead and build the alternatives they want to see.

Ayanda Mtimkulu is a proud born-again child of God. A 23-year-old from the naughty townships of Cape Town. Khayelitsha being the exact township. Currently studies at the University of Fort Hare, doing her Post Graduate Certificate in Education, and currently holder her undergraduate degree in Theology. A young activist? Definitely. Does she know it all? Absolutely not. She is a firm believer of accountability and humanity. She is a person who is not afraid of a challenge, be it physical or mental. Not one who is easily intimidated by people, unless they are intimidating. She is also very reserved but very vocal once you break through that “shy” ice. Being a believer sort of labels one into an expectation, but she will be above those expectations, and sort of different from the norms. She is very weird and goofy, spirit-filled and full of life. She however has a short temper that is working on.

She is strong-minded, outspoken, confident in public speaking, leadership-oriented, willing to challenge things, and passionate about making an impact. She is a believer of liberation, and liberation in the mind. She believes that should we choose to do anything we can accomplish it. All you have to do is remove the idea that there are limitations. Two of her favorite quotes are from the great Steve Biko, they are “I write what I like” and the other one is “The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” Let all mind be liberated.

Liza Asavela Mfana (nickname: Jaguar) is an activist, a published social commentator, an advocate for liberatory and humanizing pedagogy, a fighter, a business practitioner, but most importantly a lover of humanity, life and peace. He strongly believes that the youth are the key in ensuring this country has a positive future. Liza is a young man from the rural villages of the Eastern Cape. He was born in East London but was raised in Centani and Butterworth. He spent his high school years in Molteno High School where he matriculated in 2014. Mfana has since been active in the political and intellectual discourse of the country. Having secured Resident Training with Activate Change Drivers and a Higher Certificate in Public Management from the Young African Leadership (YALI), he is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Commerce (General) qualification with the University of Fort Hare (UFH). As a member of the 2026 Cohort of the Fort Hare Activist School (FHAS), he brings over a decade of experience in political and academic activism, having held various local, provincial and national roles in both spaces.

Mfana is an avid proponent of Black Conscious Pan Africanism, believing that African people hold the power to change the world for the better, only through unity. He advocated for the unity of all 53 African states into a single Federal government, with one command, one military, one currency and one national identity. He strongly believes that there is a succinct balance of radicalism and diplomacy and has dedicated his life in the pursuit of this balance. As such, Mfana’s life is dedicated to picking up the baton from where the likes of Biko left it, in pursuit of an egalitarian society where race, social class, gender, and other identities no longer serve as determinants of one’s social standing. Mfana therefore aspires to contribute to the epistemic, socioeconomic, and political development of South Africa and Africa towards this end. In this pursuit, he intends to contribute through academic contributions, governance participation and law-making, and diplomatic engagements through the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and other relevant international bodies.

Ntandazo Nyanga is a 24-Year-old leader. a registered student at the University of Fort Hare Alice campus in respect of Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension, holds a Diploma in legal secretary he is a seasoned religious leader and is also part of traditional leadership in his village. He has been an activist since his high school journey in 2016 by forming part of Equal Education in the Western Cape where he led a bring safety to our schools protest to parliament his Activism went to tertiary where he participated in numerous organizations including leading SCO as Chairperson and Council Secretary , EFF Branch Coordinator and went on to becoming a member of: Faculty board , Teaching and learning , Research and Higher degrees committee in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture and was elected Chairperson of the Student faculty council . He is currently the activist and ground force of Young brightest Motivated Minds (YBMM), a ruling party in his campus and is also serving as its legal advisor. He is influenced by words by his mentor “leadership is not about how many people you lead but how many leaders you produce” which led him to develop a foundation that focus on developing leaders he also believes that one should have a responsibility or they will be a responsibility themselves which he uses to encourage young people to take part in everything around them.

Phelokazi Matyana is a first-year Master of Philosophy student in Human Rights Law, aspiring international human rights lawyer, debate adjudicator, and passionate advocate for women's rights through justice, education, and social transformation. Born and raised in Mount Fletcher, a small town where talent is abundant but opportunities remain limited, Phelokazi grew up in a household of seven children raised by a single mother who instilled in her resilience, courage, and the value of perseverance. Though poverty brought endurance, it also brought exclusion and the constant feeling that her circumstances had determined her future—experiences that strengthened her commitment to ensuring other young people are not defined or limited by the conditions into which they are born.

Education became Phelokazi's pathway to possibility. Influenced by Nelson Mandela's belief in education's transformative power, she came to understand that knowledge can challenge systems designed to keep people at the margins. Yet as she progressed, she encountered the persistence of gender stereotypes and sexual bias—the indirect messaging that boys are more capable, more valuable, and more deserving of investment. Her activism is therefore rooted in the belief that social change must begin at the foundational level, empowering young girls to recognize their worth, develop their voices, and imagine futures beyond the limitations imposed by poverty, patriarchy, and social expectations. She is particularly passionate about creating spaces where girls access mentorship, leadership development, human rights education, career guidance, and psychosocial support—understanding that empowering girls cannot be separated from engaging families, schools, boys, community leaders, and broader institutions.

As a debate adjudicator, Phelokazi has developed strong skills in critical thinking, public reasoning, and listening. Adjudication has taught her to engage fairly with competing perspectives and create constructive spaces for dialogue—skills that strengthen her activism because meaningful social change requires both conviction and the ability to collaborate and build bridges across differences. Her vision is a society where every young girl grows up knowing that her dreams are legitimate, her voice matters, and her circumstances are not her destiny.

Sanelisiwe Sila is a political science candidate and rising activist from Dutywa in the Eastern Cape, currently pursuing a Master of Social Science in Political Science at the University of Fort Hare. Following her completion of a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Political Science at the same institution, Sanelisiwe's academic interests focus on governance, public policy, state intervention, graduate employability, and youth development. Her current master's research critically examines state intervention in graduate internship programmes and their impact on graduate employability in South Africa, seeking to understand how government policies can better respond to the challenges faced by young graduates and create meaningful employment opportunities.

Coming from a rural community in the Eastern Cape, Sanelisiwe has developed a particular interest in issues affecting marginalized communities—service delivery, youth opportunities, and social justice. Beyond academia, she tutors history to grades 10-12 learners, firmly believing that access to knowledge is a critical tool for empowering young people. Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to becoming a voice for communities often overlooked by policy and to contributing to initiatives that promote genuine social change.

As an emerging activist, Sanelisiwe is determined to build her leadership, organizing, and advocacy skills while developing networks with young people and community stakeholders. Her aspiration is to become a South African diplomat for human rights, dedicating her work to advancing justice and dignity for communities facing systemic injustices across South Africa.

Sibongile Xhati is a final-year LLB student at the University of Fort Hare, aspiring to become a lawyer who uses the law as a tool for transformation and social justice. Her journey has been shaped by an acute awareness of the inequalities that continue to define South African society and by a strong belief that young people must be active participants in shaping the future they want to inherit. Through her involvement in politics, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Fort Hare Activist School, peer leadership programmes, and other student initiatives, Sibongile has strengthened her commitment to social justice, equality, youth empowerment, and accountable leadership.

As a law student, Sibongile has found a powerful intersection between advocacy and the law. Through moot court, legal research, academic facilitation, and practical legal experience, she has developed a passion for using legal knowledge to articulate the concerns of people whose voices are often overlooked. Her activism stems from the conviction that meaningful change requires more than identifying injustice—it requires the courage to speak, organize, participate, and act. She understands that activism is not simply about protest but about understanding communities, challenging systems that exclude people, and creating practical pathways towards dignity and opportunity.

Sibongile stands for a society in which constitutional rights are meaningful in practice, where young people are empowered to participate in decision-making, and where leadership is grounded in service, integrity, and accountability. She is working towards becoming a highly skilled legal practitioner and advocate for social and economic transformation, determined to demonstrate that excellence and activism can coexist—that one can succeed professionally while remaining committed to the struggle for a more just, equal, and democratic South Africa.

Uzusiphe Vuzane is a committed student activist, emerging researcher and youth leader currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of Fort Hare. His academic and activist journey is grounded in a strong interest in rural development, food security, climate resilience, education and socioeconomic inclusion. His current research examines smallholder farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of Artificial Intelligence climate advisory tools and their potential to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture in rural communities.

Uzusiphe has served in various student leadership capacities, advocating for student welfare, institutional accountability, access to education and meaningful support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. His activism has particularly focused on food insecurity, student accommodation, access to essential services and creating opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives. He believes that leadership must be rooted in accountability, service, courage and a genuine commitment to improving the conditions of those who are often left behind.

Uzusiphe envisions a South Africa where education, knowledge and opportunity are used to dismantle inequality and empower young people to shape their own futures. His activism extends beyond confronting injustice; it is about building responsive institutions, strengthening communities and advancing practical solutions that restore dignity and create meaningful socioeconomic opportunities.

Zikhona Nonxuba is a legal professional in the making, entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist with a deep passion for social change, justice and community empowerment. She is driven by a strong sense of purpose and a belief that leadership should be rooted in service, action and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others.

As an entrepreneur, Zikhona is passionate about building initiatives that create opportunities, promote economic empowerment and respond to real challenges within communities. She sees entrepreneurship not only as a pathway to economic independence, but also as a tool for innovation, empowerment and social transformation.

Her commitment to philanthropy is grounded in a desire to serve and uplift communities. Through her community-focused initiatives, she seeks to contribute to the restoration of dignity, support those in need and create opportunities for people to improve their circumstances.

Zikhona's activism is driven by her passion for justice and her refusal to remain passive in the face of inequality and social injustice. She believes that change requires courage, collective action and a willingness to challenge the status quo. For her, activism is not simply about speaking about change, but about organising, participating and taking practical steps towards achieving it.

She is particularly passionate about unity and the role it plays in creating meaningful and sustainable change. She believes that when people unite around a common purpose, they can transform their communities and influence the society they want to see.

Through the Fort Hare Activist School, Zikhona hopes to deepen her understanding of activism, strengthen her leadership and organising skills, and connect with a community of young leaders committed to social transformation. Her vision is to use her legal knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit, philanthropic work and activism to contribute meaningfully to building a more just, equal and empowered society.

Walter Sisulu University

Amkele Dlamini is a South African student activist and third-year Diploma in Internal Auditing student at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu. An emerging young leader committed to advancing social change through education, advocacy, and youth empowerment, Amkele's journey as a student has deepened her understanding of the barriers young people face in accessing opportunities, resources, and platforms where their voices can be heard.

At iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu, Amkele actively supports her peers through her work with the Writing Centre and as a Peer Assistant Learning Leader, contributing to their academic development, communication skills, and confidence. This work has reinforced her conviction that education extends beyond academic achievement—it must equip young people with the critical thinking skills and confidence necessary to participate meaningfully in society. Her activism is grounded in the belief that social change begins when people are given access to knowledge, resources, and the confidence to speak for themselves, with particular focus on educational access, gender equality, and youth empowerment.

What do we fight for together?

A society where young people are not merely heard, but given the resources, opportunities, and platforms necessary to participate, lead, and create lasting social change—where education and community engagement empower individuals to become active architects of a more just and inclusive world.

Janne Motheo Malhlake — Creator: FES South Africa

Janne Motheo Mahlake is an Accounting student at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu, debater, feminist, and young activist driven by a deep curiosity about the relationship between politics, economics, and finance. Particularly interested in how political decisions influence financial systems, who benefits from economic policies, and how access to financial resources shapes the lives and opportunities of ordinary people, Janne's activism emerges from a fundamental belief that many inequalities we experience are not accidental but are rooted in systems, policies, and social structures that deserve interrogation.

As a debater, Janne has learned to engage with difficult conversations, listen to opposing perspectives, and defend ideas while remaining open to learning. Her passion for feminism is grounded in challenging societal expectations that restrict women and dictate who they should become, how they should speak, and the spaces they are allowed to occupy. She is not interested in activism that tells people what to think, but rather activism that encourages critical thinking, questions power, and helps people understand the systems shaping their everyday realities—particularly at the intersection of finance, politics, and social justice.

As part of the 2026 Forthare Activist School cohort, Janne brings curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to engage in uncomfortable conversations. She seeks to learn from other young activists, understand different forms of organising, and broaden her understanding of social and political issues beyond her own experiences. Most importantly, she is committed to bringing knowledge into action and becoming more intentional about the kind of change she wants to contribute to.

Khanya Twangu is a dedicated feminist leader committed to promoting economic transformation and social change based on equality, fairness, and dignity. Through his work, he challenges the patriarchal systems that have traditionally prevented women and underprivileged people from meaningfully engaging in society and the economy. For Khanya, feminism is a paradigm for creating inclusive communities where power is democratized and prosperity is shared—grounded in the fundamental recognition that women's visible and invisible labour is the cornerstone of economic life.

Khanya's activism is rooted in intersectionality, recognizing that the fight for gender justice is inextricably linked to struggles against racial, class, and environmental inequalities. He believes economic reform must eliminate structural injustices and redistribute resources equitably by supporting laws that value caregiving, encourage equal pay, and create possibilities for women in leadership. His approach emphasizes how oppression is interrelated and how communities must be empowered holistically through collective solutions, pursued through public advocacy, policy participation, and grassroots mobilization.

His vision is audacious yet grounded: societies where women run cooperatives, communities flourish through unity, and economic structures prioritize sustainability and care. Khanya embodies the understanding that feminism is both production and resistance—the development of new models of justice and shared wealth, as well as the fight against exploitation and inequality. He is a voice of feminist optimism dedicated to creating a future where equality is a lived reality and social reform and economic transformation are inextricably linked.

Thandokuhle Ntlawuzana is a Social Scientist student, affable and sociable yet reflective, who believes that education is transformative—not only for personal development but as a foundation for serving others meaningfully. Guided by a philosophy of disciplined study and dedicated practice, Thandokuhle has committed themselves to rigorous intellectual work, appropriating even parts of the night for study in order to help a greater number of people. They withdraw from idle pursuits and personal affairs, working for this generation and those to follow to create meaningful impact in society.

Thandokuhle stands for the virtues of wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice—values that motivate them to confront challenges not on a single front but on all fronts. As a leader, they are inclined to carefully assess and examine how to improve conditions in areas that are struggling, understanding that making a difference in communities requires both conviction and the willingness to persist. Central to their learning process is understanding African-Centered education, recognizing its vital role in shaping transformative praxis. They believe that meaningful ideas are strengthened through daily reflection and that keeping resolutions already made is more important than making new noble ones—a commitment to turning good inclinations into settled purpose.

Thandokuhle aspires to be an arbiter of the people's fate, continuing to advocate for the greater good and working to develop the strength and vision necessary to serve their communities with integrity and sustained dedication.

Tshepiso Moshesheo — Creator: FES South Africa

Tshepiso Mosheshoe is a 21-year-old student activist from Tlali, a rural village in the Eastern Cape, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree. Having experienced both rural and urban life after relocating from Ntabankulu to Welkom, Free State, in 2017 to pursue his high school education, Tshepiso gained a deeper understanding of the social and educational inequalities affecting many young people. During his high school years, he naturally became a trusted peer whom others approached for guidance and information, connecting classmates with opportunities and support—a role that strengthened his belief that leadership is about influence, service, and empowering others.

On campus, Tshepiso has continued this work, becoming known among his peers as someone who stays connected to what is happening academically and socially, always bringing information and updates. Driven by a desire to create sustainable solutions for communities, he joined ENACTUS in March 2023, finding a platform that matched his commitment to social impact, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He has since served in various leadership roles at both campus and institutional levels, and currently serves as President of ENACTUS Walter Sisulu for the 2026/27 term and as an Entrepreneurship Student Ambassador. In 2025, Tshepiso further expanded his activism as a First-Generation Envoy through the Student Life and Curricular Unit, working with first-year students from similar backgrounds to help them navigate university life, access resources, and overcome challenges.

Recently, Tshepiso registered a Non-Profit Company called Ukukhanya Enlighten NPC. He believes that meaningful change begins when individuals use their experiences to uplift others. As he moves forward in his academic and leadership journey, he remains committed to building opportunities for young people, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation to lead with purpose and impact.

News & Activities

News
Democracy and Political Culture
Fort Hare Autumn School

Fort Hare Autumn School Advocacy

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is delighted to announce the Fort Hare Autumn School class of 2021 — the 9th class! Please join us in congratulating these 25 talented youth leaders.

Event
Youth leadership programme
Democracy and Political Culture
Fort Hare Autumn School

Youth Participation in Politics and Governance

Join the Fort Hare Autumn School Alumni Network for their second youth month dialogue on 30 June 2021 for a dialogue on ‘Youth Participation in Politics and Governance.

Event
Youth leadership programme
Democracy and Political Culture
Fort Hare Autumn School

Access to Quality Education

Join the Fort Hare Autumn School Alumni Network on 23 June 2021 for a dialogue on ’Access to Quality Education’.

Event
Youth leadership programme
Fort Hare Autumn School

Call for applications. FHAS Alumni Network: Project Development and Planning workshops

"to be a responsive and engaged network of scholars committed to furthering the objectives and interests of the FHAS Alumni Network and interests of FES"

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Democracy and Political Culture
Fort Hare Autumn School

Call For Applications 2021. South Africa needs future leaders. Will you be one of them?

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung South Africa believes in the power of young people. It invites 25 aspiring and talented students from Eastern Cape Universities (Fort Hare, Rhodes, NMU and WSU) to the 2021 “Fort Hare Autumn School on Social...

News
Event
Youth leadership programme
Democracy and Political Culture
Fort Hare Autumn School

Bridging inequalities of access and quality in South African Higher Education: Prospects for Online Learning

Join the Fort Hare Autumn School Alumni Network on 16 November 2020 as Sethu Nguna (FHAS 2012 Cohort) presents her policy brief titled ‘Bridging inequalities of access and quality in South African Higher Education: Prospects for Online...