2021 Cohort

Undergraduate

• Jessica Kanyemba

  

  Jessica Kanyemba is 19-year-old student working towards a bachelor’s degree in genetics and human anatomy and physiology. Growing up witnessing the struggle her grandfather had to provide for the family motivated her was to study hard so as to make a difference not only for her family but also in the lives of others. Kanyemba is passionate about giving back to others.

  During high school, she was a leader in her church youth ministry that donated food and clothing to the less fortunate. She was also a tutor at school, assisting learners who struggled with mathematics and accounting. In her final year of school, she became part of the learner representative council.

  With her degree, she hopes to become the founder of the first institute of genetics in her home county of Namibia, where she will provide scientific training to students and genetic counselling. In 2020, she contacted the Ministry of Health and saw that no university in Namibia offers genetics. Establishing such a facility will be of great help to both the community and uplifting scientific education in Namibia.

• Melissa Muchiri

  

  Melissa Muchiri is pursuing a bachelor's degree in social sciences majoring in economics, anthropology, and environmental and geographical sciences. She is always keen to try something new, with interests in music and culture and the role these play in driving human life and societies.

  Her vision is to contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of her country and Africa at large which she believes can be achieved through, among other ways, effective planning and inclusive governance.

  Melissa has been part of initiatives that involve giving back to her community through music tutoring and mentorship as well as peer counselling. She led her former high school's chapter of the National High Schools Orchestras programme in Kenya. She also participated in peer review and editing of the most recent United Nations GEO-6 for youth publication which examines the state of the environment for a youth audience and how the youth can be more involved in climate action in their communities.

• Siphokazi Ginindza

  Siphokazi Ginindza is a 19-year-old pursuing a bachelor's degree in science. She is passionate about mathematics and has made it her goal to help the youth in her community and country (eSwatini) understand the importance of education and help them make wise academic decisions.

  She is skilled at problem solving, time management and has always been interested in helping those in need.  She served as a school prefect from 2016 to 2019. In 2018 she joined the Junior Achievement Financial Literacy programme where she learnt about business management and how to make money wisely. As a result, she had the opportunity to job shadow at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade for a week at the registrar of companies.

• Cecile Matabaro

  

  Cecile Matabaro is studying towards a bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics. Prior to commencing her studies at UCT, she graduated from the African Leadership Academy (class of 2018) where she honed her leadership skills by engaging in entrepreneurial leadership and grew her passion for Africa. Her leadership experience includes serving as the first Junior Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, being a facilitator for enke Make your mark - YANDISA Program - and actively engaging with community projects. Due to her immense passion for education and her strong belief in paying it forward, she provides math tutoring to learners in grade 10 and 12 who cannot afford private tutoring.

  At UCT, she is one of the class representatives for Mathematical Statistics 1 and the Secretary General of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Council at UCT. Cecile hopes to continue improving her leadership by playing a positive role in the growth of her community and the African continent.

• Bilal Mrisho

  

  Bilal Mrisho is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He is a self-motivated and determined person, passionate about helping others. He was a minister in school government and a mentor for younger students. Bilal and his friends formed an NGO called Time 2 Learn which helped public school students access important materials and the information for their examinations. He also participated successfully in different national and international competitions, such as the national essay competition and the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).

  As a mechanical engineering student, Bilal is interested in becoming an aerospace engineer and his main goal is to help develop the aviation sector in Tanzania.

  
  
  

• Travimadox Webb

  

  Travimadox Webb is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. He is self-driven and keen to be at the forefront of African innovation, spearheading a prosperous Africa. He was valedictorian of Lenana School’s class of 2018 and among the top candidates in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

  He is passionate about making quality healthcare affordable and easily accessible to people from low-income backgrounds by creating nanorobotic systems. He is also keen to empower the next generation of Africa changemakers as a part of the Equity Leaders Program mentoring young leaders.

  
  
  
  

• Albert Mutangi

  

  Albert Mutangi, from Zimbabwe, is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He completed his A-levels in 2019 and went to study medicine at the University of Zimbabwe before becoming a MasterCard scholar. He has been chosen to be the class representative due to his good team spirit and leadership qualities.

  He is passionate about giving back to community and he visited Bumhudzo old people's home and SOS Orphanage homes to conduct pep talks with the inhabitants, clean up their premises, and donate food and old clothing. He took part in the National clean-up campaign. He was a tutor to students in his community for both Advanced and Ordinal level subjects and was the President of the Environmental Awareness Club. He aims to gather knowledge from both the engineering and health fields to help him achieve his dream of creating vaccines to tackle deadly viruses such as Human Papilloma, Corona, and HIV.

Honours

• Margret Balekire Chavula

  

  Margret Balekire Chavula is pursuing an honours degree in social development. She has been trained in community development using the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach and Human-Centered Design (HCD). Before becoming a Mastercard scholar, she served as a CorpsAfrica volunteer in a rural community in Malawi. As a volunteer, she taught community members sustainable development using locally available resources.

  She is passionate about social development which shifts from merely concentrating on a country’s economic growth, to ensuring improved well-being of every individual in society so that they can attain their full potential. She is currently a Baobab Ambassador for UCT Mastercard Scholars, a platform aimed at connecting Mastercard Scholars from different universities to network and also develop the scholar’s professional and personal skills.

• Ridgewell Hloniphani Nunu

  Ridgewell Hloniphani Nunu is pursuing an honours degree in social development. Ridgewell holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree, which he obtained from UCT. During his undergraduate studies, Ridgewell has been involved in various leadership and voluntary activities such as mentorship, being an ACES peer educator, and working as a participant, volunteer coordinator and English tutor for Stepping Out SHAWCO. His interests are promoting social change in the individuals, families and communities of Zimbabwe and Africa.

• Ibibia Frederick Joseph-George

  

  Ibibia Frederick Joseph-George is pursuing an honours degree in development studies. In addition, Ibibia is a Baobab ambassador and a member of the African Leadership for Governance Network. Due to his entrepreneurial prowess, Ibibia was admitted as a member of the prestigious Clinton Global Initiative (CGI U) 2020 cohort. He was also the first scholar at the University of Cape Town to win the Speak Your Mind challenge. In 2019, Ibibia was a panellist/youth speaker at the Mastercard Baobab conference in Kigali, Rwanda. He placed in the semi-finals of the Resolution Project's Social Venture Challenge.

  Ibibia also served as the President of the Nigerian Students Society at the University of Cape Town from 2019 to 2020. He served as the block chair of Block B Forest Hill residence, overseeing over a hundred students, and as the deputy head mentor and part of the disciplinary committee. Ibibia was a member of the University of Cape Town student parliament and the MCFSP mentorship Task Team (MTT) from 2019 to 2020.

  Ibibia has won several academic and leadership awards. He graduated with a distinction in industrial sociology and a class medal from UCT in July 2021. He also won several academic and leadership awards from Forest Hill residence. Ibibia is a recipient of the UCT-plus bronze and gold award and the UCT employability award. Due to winning the prestigious MCFSP summer school scholarship, Ibibia will be attending the 2022 Sciences Po summer school in Paris, France.

• Janki Dominica Lehloma

  Janki Lehloma is pursuing honours in property studies. He has a passion for affecting positive change in people’s lives and the community. He is a principle-centred and business-driven person who wishes to return to his country (Lesotho) to create a property and construction company with the knowledge he has obtained from UCT. In addition, he hopes to contribute towards reducing unemployment in his home country. He aims to establish a tutoring group in Lesotho to help with schooling fees and provide access to academic information students may need in order to pursue their studies in countries other than Lesotho.

• Simangaliso Mncwango

  

  Simangaliso Mncwango is pursuing an honours degree in information technology. He has computer skills and is good at motivating young people to become the best individuals they can be. He is passionate about seeing young people growing up with a positive mindset and the ability to be creative and innovative in solving problems in their communities. His vision is to contribute to the development of the youth in his community in eSwatini. Furthermore, Simangaliso is also active in his constituency in eSwatini where he represents the youth in various leadership positions. In 2015, he served as a secretary in Maphilingo Community Development Committee (CDC). In 2010, he also served as head prefect at St Phillips High School in eSwatini. 
  
  
  

• Mpho Motlhabane

  Comfort Motlhabane is Mastercard scholar from Botswana studying towards an honours degree in economics. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics at the University of Botswana. He is passionate about leadership, personal proficiency, community outreach and learning. Comfort volunteered at the Phatsimong Adolescent Centre in Gaborone where he worked with teen mothers and out-of-school youth regarding building healthy relationships as well as talent show activities. He also worked at Botswana Life Insurance.

• Khanyisile Adrianna Dhlomo

  

  Khanyisile Adrianna Dhlomo is hardworking and passionate about empowering others. Her strengths include resilience, optimism, hard work and good leadership qualities. She has been involved in voluntary work from a young age, and her inspiration to empower others comes from her widowed mother. She completed her undergraduate degree in social work at UCT and is a first-generation graduate in her family. Currently she is pursuing an honours degree in social development to equip herself to better empower people from socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
  
  
  
  
  

• Charlotte Musinga

  

  Charlotte Musinga is a postgraduate scholar pursuing an Honors degree in Construction management. She is a skilled resource mobiliser with a passion for equality and justice in the developing world. She hopes to use her technical knowledge and skills to contribute to development of cities and communities that are cognizant of the most marginalized communities. She has previously founded and led different social justice initiatives. These experiences are informing her dedication to transforming the approach to development of cities in Africa.
  
  
  
  
  

Master's

• Sharifa Negesa

  

  Sharifa Negesa is pursuing a master’s degree in computer science. She is skilled in community involvement, e-learning support as well as problem solving. She is passionate about youth and community engagement, advocating for better education and health services in her home village. Her vision is to contribute to the development of her community in Uganda and offer support to ensure that everyone attains a good education.

  In addition, Sharifa is active in outreach activities such as Girls Alive Uganda Project aimed at promoting good menstrual hygiene, and a broiler hatchery aimed at creating youth employment opportunities, among others.

  In 2018, she served as an ICT instructor with Connect Africa for Africa Vocational School, Joggo campus in Uganda. She was also appointed as a research assistant for Makerere University’s eLearning Environment Platform. At Makerere University, Sharifa served as an intern for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. She serves as a peer mentor for scholars at Makerere University and youths in her community as well as tutoring ICT literacy in her village in Uganda.

• Chwayita Ntwasa

  Chwayita Ntwasa is a master’s candidate at the University of Cape Town. She majored in politics and economics and completed an honours degree in social development. Her biggest dream is to see Africa become a global leader in technological advancement, and economic and social development. She focuses her time and energy on youth development, research and education. She founded an extracurricular programme that provides a safe space for children to explore their spirituality as well as build healthy relationship with one another. She intends to build a school that provides children in her community with an holistic educational experience that not only focuses on academic progression, but also caters for the specific needs of children growing up in the township.

• Tinashe Alexandra Ngwenya

  Tinashe Ngwenya is pursuing a MSc in mechanical engineering with a research focus in computational biomechanics. He is skilled in plant engineering and maintenance, numerical analysis, public speaking and debate, and leadership. His dream is to see Africa as a research, development, and manufacturing hub, teeming with new products and technologies that will improve the lives of people all around the continent and the rest of the world. He has been involved in many community outreach and volunteer activities. At the University of Botswana, he was a Resident Assistant (RA), Chairperson of the RA committee, Peer Orientator, Learning and Living Community Public Relations Officer, University of Botswana Engineer’s Society Vice-President, Safe Male Circumcision mobilizer, and Health Promotion Assistant. He also mentored high school students at his former school and gave motivational talks to students at different high schools around Gaborone.

• Simbarashe Kaneunyenye

  

  Simbarashe Kaneunyenye is pursuing a master’s degree in criminology, law and society. He is a skilled coordinator, gifted with the ability to capture people's interest through his speech and writing. Simba obtained his BSc Honours degree in Forensic Science from the University of Zimbabwe, thereafter he started working for the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. It was whilst working there that he discovered how easy it was for poachers to convince impoverished local villagers to help them hunt protected animals. He realised that this was ultimately a result of policy failure to provide adequate welfare for vulnerable citizens. His goal is to gain enough knowledge and access to resources to positively influence policymaking in Zimbabwe and the region as a whole. Simba serves on the 2021 to 2022 Scholars' Council as the outreach representative.
  
  

• Christina Manyika

  Christina Manyika is resilient, creative and a team player, passionate about brokering peace through mediation, arbitration and negotiation. It is her vision to contribute to the development of peace in her country, Zimbabwe, and Africa at large. She wants to contribute to the development of alternative dispute resolution in Zimbabwe as it offers the speedy dispensation of justice, and it has the potential to restore relationships. Christina is also passionate about children’s rights. She is in a process of registering a trust which offers counselling for rape survivors. In her free time, she enjoys reading African literature.

• Elizabeth Lubinda

  

  Elizabeth is pursuing a master’s in public health, specialising in epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Cape Town. In addition, she holds a BA in demography with minor courses in economics and development studies from the University of Zambia. Her career goal is to become a renowned public health researcher and advocate who will contribute to policy aimed at improving the healthcare systems and wellness of people living in her country, Zambia, and sub-Saharan Africa. She has worked as a research assistant on several projects. The notable ones include the Aflatoxin Mitigation project under the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the USAID Stop Gender-Based Violence Project under the Zambia Center for Communications programmes (ZCCP).

  The USAID Youth Lead Activity Fellowship enhanced her civic engagement and leadership skills through intense mentorship classes. She and her team came up with a capstone project that focused on raising mental health awareness among the youth and creating proficient mental health institutionalised linkages in the country. This project birthed the Mask-off Mental Health Foundation, of which she is co-founder.

• Leonard Mutsa Makuya

  

  Leonard M Makuya is pursuing a master’s degree in shipping law at the University of Cape Town. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (cum laude) from the University of Fort Hare where he worked as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for Juridical Interpretation in 2017 and was also appointed as a tutor for constitutional law and administrative law in 2018. He is passionate about social justice and the establishment of egalitarian societies in the world. He won several academic awards such as the second-best law student in 2015 and was awarded the Best Male Speaker award in the 2017 Nelson R Mandela School of Law Moot Court Competition. He represented the Nelson R Mandela School of Law Moot Court Competition in several external moot court competitions.

  Makuya held several leadership positions including the Chairperson of the Fort Hare Moot Court Society in 2018, Vice Chairperson of the Forward in Faith on Campus in 2017, and the National President of the Envisioned Students Union of Zimbabwe in 2014.

• Victoria Machipisa

  

  Victoria Machipisa earned her honours degree from Chinhoyi University of Technology in creative art and design. She is currently working towards her MPhil Digital Curation and is the class representative of 2021. She has been selected to attend online training with the Academy of Civil Engagement run by the US embassy and the University of Georgia. At the end of the 2017, Victoria began working as a contemporary curator in commercial art galleries. Since 2018, she has been an independent curator, curating exhibitions in alternative art spaces as well as in public realms, including online platforms raising funds for wildlife in Zimbabwe. Victoria has curated many exhibitions and has received an entrepreneurship certificate for attending an online course with Bocconi University in 2017. Victoria received a social entrepreneurship certificate for attending online training with the British Council South Africa and KCIC hosted by Karani Leadership in 2021. She has been invited to several local and international exhibitions and completed an internship with the Visual Arts Network of South Africa for eight weeks.

• Dorcas Tabitha Maliro

  

  Dorcas Tabitha Maliro is pursuing a master’s degree in social development. She is passionate about rural and community development. Dorcas often works with women and youth in business and enterprise development, promoting local solutions and she is currently working on ending school violence in Cape Town. She is a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship fellow in the Young African Leader’s Initiative (YALI). She believes that we all have leadership traits within, and the sooner we rise to the call to serve, the sooner we can help our communities be better for all of us.
  
  
  
  
  

• Simamnkele Dingiswayo

  

  Simamnkele Dingiswayo is pursuing a master’s degree in public health. She is passionate about prevention measures to protect and improve the health of people and their communities. She is moved by the healthcare disparities that exist in rural healthcare systems. Coming from a marginalised background in the rural Eastern Cape in South Africa, she has learnt that hard work and thrift are sometimes the only things a person can afford. She believes that new norms and values need to be instilled in societies, particularly in the youth. The underdevelopment in her community has kindled in her a burning desire to go back to basics and invest in rural development. She strongly believes that among the many ways that this can be achieved is through education and mentorship because education is critical to sustainable rural development and can further improve or enhance national well-being. In 2020, she served as a mentor and a tutor for first year humanities students at the University of Cape Town. Mentoring and tutoring brought her closer to her vision of rural education development.

• Gerald Muguto

  Gerald Nyasha Muguto is pursuing a master's degree in geotechnical engineering. He has excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate very well with people. Gerald is passionate about ensuring that young people like him are presented with equal opportunities to achieve their dreams. His vision is to develop sustainable geotechnical engineering techniques that will improve the quality of infrastructure in Zimbabwe and Africa at large. During the pandemic, he has spent most of his time tutoring advanced level physics and chemistry. In addition, Gerald has been involved in clean-up campaigns in Zimbabwe.

• Sibusiso Maneli

  

  Sibusiso Maneli is pursuing a master's in development policy and practice. Born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Sibusiso holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies and a Bachelor of Administration from the University of the Western Cape. He has extensive experience in youth and student activism, particularly youth economic participation, thought leadership and international cooperation. He has participated in the Economic Policy Working Group convened by the Chair of Social Justice at Stellenbosch University (Adv Thuli Madonsela), and also been involved in various international platforms such as Preparing Global Leaders Summit by the Russian Presidential Academy for National Economics Public Administration (RANEPA).
  
  
  

• Nkosilathi Ndlovu

  Nkosilathi Ndlovu grew up in Esigodini, a small town outside Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. His fondest childhood memories are of playing cricket on the dusty gravel streets which challenged him to change his life and be an inspiration to those around him. His academic journey started at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) where he attained a BCom Hons in Banking and Investment Management in 2019.

  Nkosilathi joined Barclays Bank, now First Capital Bank at the start of 2020 as a customer service advisor in retail banking, after he had served as an intern for a year in Corporate and Investment Banking with a focus on relationship management. Professional, flexible and efficient best describe his work ethic. He is a founding trustee of a small development non-profit organisation, Intuthuko Development Trust. Intuthuko aims to empower women and youth in Esigodini through self-help projects to improve their lives in a rural economy. Currently, he is pursuing a MCom in Investment Management at UCT, aiming to enhance his knowledge and expand networks and skills in various areas of financial markets and investment management.

• Sampson Nwachukwu

  

  Sampson Nwachukwu is an electrical and electronic engineering professional, women and girl-child rights advocate, serial entrepreneur, and renewable energy enthusiast. Sampson is a co-founder of ISEM Technologies, a start-up renewable energy company that focuses on providing access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to Nigerian residents.

  Sampson is passionate about the future of renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Africa. Combined with his work experience and commitment to clean technology, his vision is mainly to contribute to an Africa which does not depend on power from fossil fuels by 2030, and potentially lead the advocacy in tackling the intermittency issues of energy in Nigeria and across Africa.

  He is currently a master's student at the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town. His research work focuses on developing sustainable energy solutions and advanced techniques that can be utilized to improve the growth of electricity and tackle the environmental issues in Africa.

• Emmanuel Fajemisin

  

  Emmanuel Adebowale Fajemisin is pursuing a master’s degree in integrative biomedical science. He is skilled in critical thinking and team management. He is passionate about improving the lifestyle of Africans via driving initiatives that reduce malnutrition, drug abuse, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). His vision is to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs 1-4 stipulated for 2030 in Nigeria and Africa.

  Currently, he is a board member and active volunteer with the Food and Genes Initiative (FAGI), which in 2019 reached out to over 20 000 high school students in a drug abuse campaign offline and championed a full-year campaign online via social media in Nigeria. Furthermore, FAGI has also driven campaigns dealing with malnutrition and NCDs in Nigerian communities. Emmanuel is a involved with the Cancer Awareness and Remedies (CARE) initiative, aiming to contribute to a cancer-free world.

• Mohamud Abdilatif

  Mohamud Adan Abdilatif is pursuing a master’s degree in water engineering and holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mogadishu University, Somalia.

  He is a dynamic, resourceful, results-oriented character with a strong sense of motivation driven by a desire to achieve set goals and objectives. Mohamud’s vision is to develop his career, practically apply his knowledge and skills for better service delivery with humanitarian organisations in tough and challenging environments like his country, Somalia.

  Mohamud volunteered during the 2017 drought and famine, an experience that taught him that he can help homeless people even though he can’t help them with money.

• Adetola Adebowale

  

  Adetola Adebowale is an MPhil student in conservation biology at the Institute of Communities and Wildlife, University of Cape Town. He has over eight years of expertise as an aquaculturist, having worked as a fish farm manager, fish consultant, fish breeder, educationist, researcher and marketer. He had a bachelor’s degree in aquaculture and fisheries management from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria where he was twice granted the Lagos State Scholarship for outstanding students. He is passionate about data analysis and is a climate and sustainable environment enthusiast, having volunteered with numerous local and international non-governmental organizations dedicated to promoting a green and healthy environment. He is affiliated with several international organisations, including the Marine Conservation Society, the European Aquaculture Society (EAS), and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA). He is also a 2021 Baobab Ambassador representing scholars at UCT. His goals, as an advocate of SDG 14, are to protect and restore marine biodiversity, to ensure the sustainability of fishery resources, and to provide unemployed youths in Nigeria and Africa with multiple career opportunities in the fisheries sector.

• Semkelisiwe Ncube

  

  Samkelisiwe Ncube is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree specialising in social and behavioural sciences. She is passionate about sexual and reproductive health issues among adolescent girls and young women from vulnerable communities. Inspired by her own experiences and her professional life as a social worker, she founded The Garden for Education, a community project which supports primary school learners with sanitary wear, school fees, stationery, and career coaching in Zimbabwe. She works with a non-governmental organisation that supports adolescent girls and young women with education and self-development projects. While doing her undergraduate studies, she invested her time and effort in tutoring, peer mentorship and community engagement projects at the University of Cape Town and within the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT. In the future, Samke aspires to see young people from underprivileged communities creating better opportunities for themselves.

• Ogunnusi Oluwasegun

  

  Oluwasegun Ogunnusi is pursuing a master’s degree in marine biology. He is skilled in interpersonal relations and problem-solving. He is passionate about giving back to his immediate community by creating learning and literacy initiatives. His vision is to contribute to the development of his community in Nigeria and give a hand to ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to receive education in Africa. In addition, Oluwasegun is active in other outreach activities in Nigeria. From 2014 to 2017, Oluwasegun served as a logistics officer in an NGO, Aqua-Base Solution (ABS), in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He volunteered from 2017 to 2019 as a graduate/research assistant in the office of Professor Waidi Oyebanjo, ABDUL department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management (AQ&FM), at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB). He has served as a mentor to undergraduate students, and tutors aquaculture and fisheries management in his community in Nigeria.

• Akinwale Oladimeji

  

  Akinwale Ridwan Oladimeji is pursuing a master’s degree in conservation biology. He is passionate about wildlife sustainability and advocates for the conservation of mammals and bird species in his community. Akinwale believes that the sustainable use of wildlife will significantly contribute to the social development and economic growth of Nigeria and as well as protecting nature for posterity. He looks forward to helping Nigeria develop her nature-based tourism sector which will in turn increase the GDP of the nation thus contributing towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations (UN), most especially "no poverty".

  Akinwale was appointed as the Public Relations Officer of the Forestry and Wildlife Student’s Association in 2014. He also served as the General Secretary of the College of Environmental Student’s Association, at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in 2015. He served as the president of the Forestry and Wildlife Student’s Association from 2018 to 2019.  In 2019, he worked with the Floxy Foundation, an NGO that initiated the "back to school drive" that distributed items such as school uniforms, sandals, socks, and necessary stationeries to indigent pupils of nursery and primary schools in villages.

• Saratu Mshelia

  

  Saratu Mshelia is from Nigeria and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Maiduguri. She is passionate about community development, women empowerment and educating the Girl Child. She was a participant of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund Mentorship program which aims to bridge the generational gap in gender advocacy and women’s leadership and political participation. She was part of the “TASANI" project team, reaching out to women and inspiring them to acquire skills and engage in economic activities in selected local communities in and around Abuja, Nigeria. Her major research interest is centered around sustainable urban development in the Global South and she hopes to contribute to the research community in finding sustainable human-centered solutions to major urban issues in and around Africa.
  
  

• Lois Osei

  

  Lois Ewuraesi Osei is pursuing a master’s degree in international relations. Lois is skilled in research, writing, mentoring, and leadership. Her research interests are politics, governance, and development in Africa. Her desire to see development in Africa has led her to give back to her community and to make a difference in the lives of people. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Ghana, in Legon, she founded a community-based NGO, which assists marginalised young adults in pursuing their dreams in their chosen career field. This community-based group has been involved in charitable works and community engagements since 2018. Currently, Lois serves as the Praise and Worship leader for her local church.
  
  
  

• Nassifu Ssemwanga

  

  Nassifu Ssemwanga is pursuing a master’s degree of science in nursing. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree of science in nursing from Makerere University, Uganda in 2019. He is passionate about evidence-based patient care. His vision is to contribute to the development of an independent and sustainable healthcare system in Uganda with quality and equitable patient-centred care. In 2020, Nassifu served as a nurse counsellor at Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Uganda where he extended free counselling, HIV care and treatment to all people living with HIV. He also served as a focal person for gender-based violence and conducted outreaches and community sensitisation programmes. He believes in empowering marginalised persons and affording everyone an opportunity to quality healthcare. In addition, Nassifu is currently serving as an ambassador for the Patient-Centred Care Movement Africa and a mentor with the Ikamva youth mentorship program in South Africa. He is an aspiring academic and clinical researcher. His research interest lies in the areas of HIV/TB and maternal and child health.

• Temitope Rebecca Abisoye

  Temitope Rebecca Abisoye is pursuing a master’s degree in conservation biology. She is highly skilled in project planning and development, advocacy outreach, and relating to different stakeholders and parties regarding project implementation. She has a passion for education, the management of natural resources, and the restoration of our ecosystem for awareness-raising, food production, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem functions. She has been a co-founder and project manager for the Edenworld Initiative since 2017 where she is actively involved in bringing development into the green space in her country. 

  In addition, she has been involved with different organisations such as the Global Landscape Forum, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as a volunteer and an intern. She is highly skilled in the drafting of short briefs and position papers to respond to an established engagement strategy for partnership, official meetings, and other kinds of relevant events, and the drafting of web stories, infographics, brochures, and other communication assets to enhance the dissemination of key messages. Her overall goal is to ensure a better planet than we have now. Making the world green again!

• Joseph Sekyanzi

  

  Joseph Sekyanzi is studying towards a master’s degree in conservation biology – a discipline concerned with taking care of the planet and people in a sustainable manner in today’s rapidly changing world. He is passionate about nature and helping people succeed in their personal journeys. His vision is to unite and guide future developments for all. Joseph is also part of the vibrant young force shaping Africa’s leadership through engagement and empowerment of fellow African youths via online and physical opportunities. He has volunteered to sensitise the Ugandan community about the importance of environment conservation. Joseph has assisted research work at the Department of Biological sciences of Makerere University in Kampala, particularly, in reviewing literature about traditional medicines in an East African community funded project.
  
  

• Mackline Nuwasiima

  

  Mackline Nuwasiima is pursuing a master’s degree in social development by dissertation. She is skilled in organisational and administrative problem-solving and is very detail oriented. She is passionate about community development to advance human dignity and social justice for all. Her vision is to contribute to the development of her community in Uganda and Africa in general by ensuring that everyone has access to food, healthcare, and education. In 2019, she served as a peer mentor for Uganda Youth Development Link and was involved in a campaign to advocate for the rights of out-of-school girls.
  
  
  
  
  

• Funwako Bakhile Dlamini

  Funwako Bakhile Dlamini is pursuing a master’s degree in public health with the School of Public Health and Family Medicine. He is skilled in community service, policy analysis, and health systems research. He is passionate about improving mental health services for vulnerable populations. His vision is to contribute to the strengthening of eSwatini’s primary and mental healthcare systems to ensure evidence-based clinical practise. In 2019, he was selected as a global peace and justice ambassador for the World Youth Forum in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. He is also a 2021 Next Generation Leaders’ fellow with the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities in the United States of America. In addition, Funwako is active in community outreach initiatives in the Faculty of Health Sciences such as iKamva Labantu, where he serves as a high school mentor in one of Cape Town’s most underserved communities.

• Mapulane Makhaba

  

  Mapulane Makhaba graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and is currently pursuing a master’s in electrical engineering. Mapulane is passionate about helping people and empowering them in both their academic studies and other spheres of life. She is actively involved in various leadership activities, including being an orientation leader for the International Academic Programme Office (IAPO) and the Engineering and Built Environment (EBE) faculty from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, she served as the EBE Student Council IT and memorabilia representative for the year 2019/2020. Currently, she is the chairperson of the Women in Engineering society and a tutor for various courses in both the Electrical and the Computer Science departments. She hopes to own a successful business in the future that creates technologically innovative ways to educate upcoming learners.
  
  

• Ndinelao Iitumba

  

  Ndinelao Iitumba is pursuing her master's in computer science. Her research spans many aspects of using Information Communication Technology (ICTs) and Human Computer Interactions (HCI) to minimise problems caused the lack of access to the internet in bandwidth-constrained communities. She designs, implements, deploys, and creates local content and services for community wireless networks. Her current focus is simplifying network management for community wireless networks in South Africa, Namibia, and India. She is an advocate of internet access for all because the internet plays a major role in socio-economic development. She is active in community wireless network outreach and internet society activities.