Aphiwe Ngalo, a programme coordinator and popular education officer at Ndifuna Ukwazi, is a force for positive change. Her work focuses on supporting communities and social movements in their struggles for land and housing justice. She blends strategy with grassroots engagement, developing programme strategies, coordinating advocacy campaigns, and facilitating workshops that translate complex policy into accessible, community-driven knowledge. “What I enjoy most is combining strategy with direct community engagement,” she reflects. “It’s gratifying to create spaces where activists and communities can build knowledge collectively, strengthen solidarity, and push campaigns that demand systemic change.” Aphiwe’s inspiration lies in challenging dominant narratives, amplifying marginalised voices, and dismantling systems of inequality. Storytelling remains central to her work, as it connects individual experiences to broader struggles for justice. Her proudest achievements include the Tafelberg Campaign, which influenced provincial government action on social housing; the Land & Housing School; and regional learning exchanges that fostered solidarity across Southern Africa. Aphiwe lives by the principle that “time is the ultimate test of both truth and character,” guided by Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Through her transformative impact, she turns knowledge into action, building stronger, more empowered communities across the region.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Media Studies. Rhodes University
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Tafelberg Campaign – I was part of the project team that led this campaign, which successfully influenced the province to act on using the site for social housing.
- Land & Housing School – a political school co-created with and for land and housing activists, aimed at building knowledge and strategic capacity.
- Regional Learning Exchange – facilitated exchanges with activists from South Africa, Namibia, and Eswatini to share lessons and strengthen regional solidarity.
- Youth Development Project – focused on skills development and narrative justice for young people from landless communities.
- VG Cue – a learner arts newspaper led by myself and Samantha Carolus, giving young people a platform to express themselves creatively and engage with social issues.
