Fort Hare Activist School Leadership Programme (FHAS)

Ayanda Ndletyana is a driven student with a strong academic background in Development Studies and Economics. With her experience in project management, Ayanda has worked in both research and institutional leadership environments, including a recent role under the Deputy Vice Chancellor of People and Operations at Nelson Mandela University. Her research focuses on education equality, funding in higher education, and graduate transitions, often exploring the intersection and complexities of policy and development.

Additionally, Ayanda contributes to national dialogues on youth employment, and adapts to a globalised and technological labour force at the G20 Employment Working Group. Ayanda is guided by values of social justice and is committed to leveraging her research and project management expertise to drive systemic change in South Africa. 

Asange is passionate about working with individuals and marginalised communities who are affected by poverty, inequality, and emotional distress. Through her practical work, she has developed a strong ability to listen with empathy, to offer support, and to help clients recognise their own strengths. These experiences have deepened her commitment to social justice and community development. Asange was recently accepted into the Fort Hare Activist School and the SGD Campus Ambassador Programme, and through these programmes she hopes to grow as a leader, strengthen her advocacy skills, and also learn how to drive meaningful change in communities. In the future, Asange aims to start an organisation that supports youth struggling with unemployment, addiction, and access to services. She believes that change starts in our communities, and she is committed to being part of that change. 

 A dedicated science student at Nelson Mandela who is passionate about leadership. The current Faculty of Science SRC Representative for 2025, and previously the Deputy Chairperson of "Science Students Association, which shaped her leadership and advocacy skills. Dipuo is actively involved in the NMU's science curriculum renewal project, contributing to efforts of aligning the science curriculum with Africanisation goals. In the second semester, she will be the facilitator for the "Social Consciousness and Sustainable Futures" module, offered to provide NMU students with a platform to have critical conversations on identity, justice, sustainability and justice.

Mxolisi is currently pursuing a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Political Studies at Nelson Mandela University. He also holds a Bachelor's and an honours degree in Social Sciences from the University of Fort Hare, where he specialised in Political Science and International Relations. He takes a great interest in public and international affairs, and his master’s research project examines the causes of violent service delivery protests in South Africa. 

While at UFH, Mxolisi served as an SI Leader in Political Science, where he facilitated extra lessons for first year students in the field. In 2024, he served as a volunteer in the International Office of NMU as an ambassador tasked with integrating International students from all over the world into the South African culture. During the same year, he would receive a scholarship to attend a six week program on German language and culture, courtesy of TU Braunschweig in Germany.

Born and raised in Mount Frere (Eastern Cape), Luthando Sipho Mbana discovered leadership at a tender age through tutoring his peers, representing his primary and high school in various school competitions, being a debater, a public speaker, and a scout. These formative experiences sparked a lifelong passion for turning ideas into impact. 

After matriculating, he pursued a Diploma in Economics at Nelson Mandela University, from which he recently graduated, and is currently pursuing his Advanced Diploma in Economics. He is a proud graduate of the Social Consciousness and Sustainable Futures course. He is currently enrolled in the Flourishing as a Global Digital Citizen short learning programme.

Luthando is the chairperson of the Rethinking Economics for Africa chapter at Nelson Mandela University for 2025. He is also a faith–anchored changemaker through his ecumenism work, building bridges across diverse Christian traditions and interfaith groups through dialogues on faith, social and ecological justice, and collaborative charity efforts. He envisions an economics that can shape policies for social justice, care, and regeneration; Educational spaces that honour healing, culture, and African knowledge systems, including youth that is empowered to lead ethical, inclusive, and transformative change.

Nhlakanipho Cele is a committed Masters student at Rhodes University, in the Political and International Studies. With a strong academic foundation in Political & International Studies, Legal Theory, and Organizational Psychology, he is currently in the first year of his Masters. His research focuses on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) conflict in the Eastern Nile region, exploring the potential for sustainable resolution mechanisms and contributing to broader conversations on transboundary water governance in Africa.

Nhlakanipho is passionate about lifelong learning and community engagement. He actively participates in conferences and seminars and shares insights on pressing societal issues. He serves as a Political and International Studies tutor and a Wellness Politics Society Representative at Rhodes University. He has also hosted impactful webinars, including the #AskAProfessional series featuring distinguished guests such as Professor Alistair Mokoena.
 

Tsidzo is an Honours student in Politics at Rhodes University with a strong academic interest in political economy, youth participation, and how governance structures shape the lives of marginalised communities, especially women and children. Her research and advocacy are grounded in a commitment to social justice and inclusive development. Tsidza has had the privilege of serving as President of the Student Representative Council and Speaker of Student Parliament. Roles that deepened her appreciation for the Social Change Model of Leadership and as well as collaborative governance. Through these experiences, she came to believe in the importance of democratic, people-centred spaces where young voices can shape meaningful change.  Her motto is ‘Service above Self’ and she hopes that her education is not just a gift to herself but one for her community, country, continent, and world she belongs to.

Nqobani Mathew Dabengwa from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is a dedicated storyteller and advocate for minority groups who holds a BPharm degree from Rhodes University. Driven by a belief in phenomenology and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing complex challenges like mental health, he is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Pharmacy within the Pharmacy Practice division with an Anthropological focus on students' lived experiences and perceptions of mental health. His goal is to influence higher education spaces, their policies, and to contribute meaningfully to global development initiatives by promoting context-specific mental health structures and practical support resources. Creatively, he runs and directs Intetho Magazine, a publication project under his brand, Echoes of Uhuru.

Cassandra is from the small coastal town of Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal. Though she trained as a chef, her heart led her elsewhere - first to working with children, then to helping people in a deeper way. Anchored in service and dedication to meaningful causes, after au pairing in Europe, Cassandra returned home to study Organisational Psychology and Sociology at Rhodes University, where she is currently completing her Honours degree.

Tutoring is the heartbeat of her academic journey. She tutored Sociology 1, Psychology 1, and now Organisational Psychology 3. Struggling with Sociology herself, Cassandra launched CassieConnects to offer affordable, relatable private tutoring. To date, she has assisted 13 students whose marks have greatly improved. Her current research focuses on the workplace experiences of women with endometriosis, advocating for menstrual leave in South Africa. She is driven by a passion to make the invisible visible and create inclusive, empowering environments where people can truly thrive. 

Lazarus Kgageng originates from Limpopo and is widely recognized for his community and youth development projects executed through his non-profit organization, Thola Lesedi Foundation, that he established in 2016. The recognition of his contributions towards community and youth development earned him a feature in the 2021 Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans under Education. Lazarus is a Rhodes University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Honours in Political and International Studies. He served as the Rhodes University SRC Secretary-General in 2023. As a student leader, he received three Rhodes University Top 100 awards: the Ubuntu Award in 2022, which was followed by the General Excellence and Student Leadership Award in 2023. Additionally, Lazarus is a published Queer author with four short stories published in South Africa, Nigeria and India. He published his debut novel titled The Chords of Hymn in March 2025.

Aphelele Maliwa is a promising young legal academic who has been a part of the University of Fort Hare Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Gender Diversity Office as a Junior Investigating/Advocacy Officer since January 2024. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Constitutional Law, her research focuses on the court’s constitutional role in addressing gender-based violence and femicide, particularly within South African higher education institutions.

Ms. Maliwa has significant experience working on GBV initiatives in higher education, collaborating closely with civil society. She is well-versed in the national and international human rights frameworks promoting gender equity, inclusivity, and diversity. As a leader in her institution’s efforts toward gender inclusivity, she is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for all.

Passionate about advocacy, Ms. Maliwa emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and confidence. She believes in taking up space to champion the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, striving to create platforms for dialogue and empowerment.
 

Nontanda Bongoza is a passionate advocate for inclusive financial empowerment and equitable economic participation. She is currently pursuing a Master of Commerce in Economics with a research focus on the effect of remittances on financial inclusion and inequality in the SADC region.

With a strong academic foundation and experience as a research assistant and tutor, Nontanda combines scholarly insight with a commitment to practical change. She is the founder of Bold Beginnings, an initiative dedicated to empowering young children with financial literacy and foundational life skills. Her work seeks to bridge gaps in access to financial education, particularly among underserved children.
Nontanda believes that transforming communities begins with equipping the next generation with the tools to make informed decisions. Through the Fort Hare Activist School, she looks forward to deepening her impact, learning from like-minded changemakers, and contributing meaningfully to a more just and economically inclusive society.
 

As a dedicated LLB student at the University of Fort Hare, Sibusiso has channelled his passion for justice, human rights, and legal ethics into transformative action. His leadership as 2024/25 Faculty of Law Student Council Chairperson drives student advocacy and institutional collaboration.  He thrives in high-impact advocacy settings, ranking in the Top 50 globally at the 2025 Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court and Top 32 in the PIL Moot Court.

Beyond the courtroom, Sibusiso mentors’ peers as a Criminal Law, Logic & Ethics Tutor and advances social change through UFH’s Peer Education Program. His work is rooted in the belief that law must serve communities.  He applies this principle through strategic leadership in student governance and rights activism.

Sibusiso aims to leverage legal innovation and community-centered advocacy to build equitable justice systems across Africa.
 

Lisakhanya Magandela, prefers the pronouns of she, her and hers. She is a tutor for second year students at the University of Fort Hare. She has acquired the skills in the GBV unit (UFH) where she served as a Champion - the first responder in a GBV case.  LisaKhanya, won an award for the most outstanding champion in 2024. She continues to advocate for GBV even outside the university spectrum.  She serves as the Treasurer General of the law student council at the university. 

LisaKhanya is a facilitator at Ihlumelo Foundation, recently nominated to represent the foundation at the Global Change Maker Network showcase in Germany. She is fond of engaging in conversations, whether I’m well informed or not. She tested that when she joined a debate team and earned a spot at the Southern African University debate championship, where she emerged as a top 8 semi-finalist in a competition held in Botswana.
 

Bulelani Mantshiyose is a 4th-year Law student at the University of Fort Hare. He aims to become an advocate. Bulelani has achieved notable success in public speaking and debate adjudication, including overall best Public Speaker and Top 8 best Debate Adjudicator at the Southern African Universities Debate Championship (SAUDC) 2024. He has also contributed to the Executive Mayor's Debate Championship in East London and he is a Debate Adjudicator for Eastern Cape provincial debates. 
He has worked as a Supplemental Instructor for Business Management and Commercial Law, as a Learning and Writing Consultant. He helps students with assignment drafting whilst at university, showing a balance between academics and obtaining work experience.  

Bulelani holds leadership positions in the UFH Debate Society and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers. 

With excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, Bulelani is a driven and ambitious individual poised for success in his future endeavours.
 

Driven by a passion for justice and transformation, Munashe is a student activist and student paralegal committed to advancing student rights and institutional accountability. He is currently representing students in disciplinary hearings and serves as the Diversity and Inclusion Officer on the Transformation Committee, where he advocates for equity and representation. As Secretary General of USSA-Rowing, he fosters leadership and excellence in university sport.

A former SRC member, he continues to pursue change through academic scholarship, currently co-authoring a book chapter and article on the intersection of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), artificial intelligence, and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (quality education). His work bridges activism, academia, and policy, laying the foundation for future leadership.

Munashe’s long-term vision is to serve within global multilateral structures such as the African Union and the United Nations, where he aims to contribute meaningfully to inclusive, technology-driven development and youth empowerment across the continent and beyond

Sinethemba Funani is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Mathematics at the University of Fort Hare, specialising in Enumerative Combinatorics. His research interests involve the study of advanced counting techniques and the mathematical structures that underlie them. Alongside his academic journey, Sinethemba has demonstrated a strong commitment to youth leadership and civic engagement. He joined Junior Chamber International (JCI) at the UFH Alice Campus, where he served as General Legal Counsel in 2020, and was later elected President of the organisation in 2021. Through his work in JCI, he championed initiatives focused on youth empowerment, community development and leadership training. Sinethemba is passionate about creating platforms that blend intellectual inquiry with active citizenship. He joins the Fort Hare Activist School with a drive to contribute meaningfully to transformative dialogue and social change.
 

Aphelele is a committed student activist and youth leader currently pursuing his Masters degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Fort Hare. He began his activism journey in 2019 and has served in multiple student leadership roles, including SRC President. He is known for his principled, independent leadership. Aphelele’s focus in the activism sphere aims to champion access to education, institutional transformation, and youth empowerment. He believes in ethical leadership rooted in accountability, servant leadership, and justice. Guided by Che Guevara’s philosophy that “the first duty of a revolutionary is to be educated,” He views education as both a weapon and a responsibility. As a young leader, Aphelele envisions a South Africa that is rooted in political stability, unity, and anti-nepotism governance, where citizens enjoy equal opportunities and dignity. His activism is not only about confronting injustice but also about advocating systems that work for the people, especially the youth.
 

Sikhulule Bukani is a final-year Philosophy and History student at the University of Fort Hare with a strong record in student leadership, political activism, wellness facilitation, and community empowerment. He currently serves as a Gender Activism Officer on the Transformation and Gender Office SRC subcommittee, a Senior Mentor at the Student Counselling Unit, and a Supplemental Instruction Facilitator at the Teaching and Learning Centre. In 2022, he was a Peer Educator under the HIV/AIDS Unit and a Wellness leader under the student counselling unit in 2024.

He is a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Champion at the university’s GBV and Gender Diversity Office, Queer Ambassador under the SARChI Chair, and Secretary General of the Students’ African Spirituality Society. Politically, he has served as Campaign Manager for DASO UFH Alice branch (2024) and Deputy Secretary General of PASMA, Robert Sobukwe Branch (2023).

Sikhulule is Director of Operations for Mr and Miss Varsity South Africa, a community involvement based pageant, and founder of Aspire2Achieve, a project that supports high school learners with university access. Served as a BUA Session Facilitator at the residence department in 2024. In his spare time, he does Dance Sports, competing in Latin American and Standard Ballroom dancing, and a competitive debater and certified debating adjudicator who served as organiser of the UFH Debating Society in 2023. A Laphumilanga Young Leaders Programme graduate, Sikhulule now joins the Fort Hare Activist School to expand his impact through values-driven, intersectional leadership.
 

Mr Sphamandla Madlala is a highly dedicated, inspired and passionate fourth year B. Ed student from WSU Komani campus. A student leader leading an initiative called Students Society, boasting membership of over 600 students from WSU Komani campus, assisting in bringing hope, unity, and ubuntu amongst students irrespective of their political differences and otherwise.

His passion for this initiative, called the Students Society, had been inspired by the consistent poverty, social inequality, and lack of political education for students due to self-isolation and family background environment impacts. The Students Society (in his leadership with his counterparts) had managed to help students make ends meet through the rolling out of food parcels, had managed to restore the spirit of ubuntu amongst students, where in June 2025 students contributed from their pockets to hire lawyers for students facing disciplinary hearings, the list is endless.
His remarkable contribution to enhancing the quality of education has been identified as a beneficial contribution towards the WSU Tutorship programme as a tutor in various modules, namely the professional studies and Business studies, from 2023 to 2025. He had been awarded yearly by the Tutorship programme in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a tutor in shaping the world of academia in WSU to success.

Mr Madlala has participated in the One Day Leader Season 8 at the age of 19 with an interest in sharing his political, social, and economic knowledge with other young great minds of South Africa by using his creative thinking skills and problem solving reasoning capacity. Sphamandla is inspired by the likes of Marcus Garvey, MalcomX and Steve Biko.
 

Kamva Mbangata is a driven undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) student at Walter Sisulu University. He has demonstrated his commitment to the legal field through various notable achievements. He served as the Chairperson of the WSU Moot Court Society, where he refines his advocacy and public speaking skills, he is also an active debater.   

Kamva's activism in human rights is evident through his participation in prestigious moot court competitions. He was a participant in the Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Rwanda, showcasing his expertise on the continent's human rights landscape. Furthermore, he competed in the Children's Rights Moot Court Competition, hosted by the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, in partnership with Baker McKenzie, one of the world's leading law firms. Additionally, he reached the top 16 in the Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition at Wits University, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled and dedicated advocate for human rights. As a debater he has participated in SAUDC the biggest debating competition in Southern Africa.             

Through his involvement in these international and national competitions, Kamva has consistently demonstrated his passion for social justice and democracy. He is a tutor under the WSU School of Law, a former residence mentor and poised to make a meaningful impact in the legal field, driven by his commitment to creating positive change.

Tsholofelo J Gopane is a Social Science student at Walter Sisulu University, majoring in Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science. She is deeply passionate about mental health, social justice, and youth empowerment. Her activism is intentional; she shows up where young voices are often overlooked, whether that’s in academic spaces, leadership discussions, or community forums. Tsholofelo believes in storytelling as a tool for change and uses her writing and voice to challenge systems that fail the most vulnerable. She is not afraid to take up space or ask difficult questions, especially when it comes to equity and inclusion. Her commitment to advocacy comes from lived experience, empathy, and the desire to make transformation tangible, not theoretical. Tsholofelo leads with purpose and remains grounded in the belief that real change begins with showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
 

Mlondolozi Mvikweni holds an LLB from Walter Sisulu University and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) at the same institution. He is an active contributor to legal scholarship, with several published articles and regular presentations at academic conferences. Beyond his academic achievements, Mlondolozi is a dedicated activist on student and social issues within his community, advocating for positive change and greater equity. His leadership extends to managing student documentation and coordinating academic meetings, further developing his organizational and communication skills.  His commitment to both legal research and social justice underscores his drive to make a meaningful impact in academic, professional, and community settings.
 

Anathi Mbhekelwa is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community-driven change.  He holds a Diploma in Management, majoring in Project and Administrative Management, from Walter Sisulu University. Over the years,  He has worn many hats — from being a Student Entrepreneurship Ambassador and Project Officer at Enactus WSU, to working as a Writing Centre Consultant — all of which have helped him grow as a leader and a mentor.

Currently, he is a facilitator for the Wadhwani Foundation’s Ignite Program, where he guides young entrepreneurs through a 14-week journey of turning ideas into impactful ventures. One of his proudest moments was hosting the launch of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Ngcobo, a rural area close to his heart. Anathi is deeply committed to creating spaces where young people can dream boldly, act courageously, and build sustainable futures — especially in communities that are often overlooked.