Politics and Governance
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Politics and Governance

Lesego Louw

Youth human rights associate
United Nations Human Rights Office - Southern Africa
https://www.instagram.com/lesego_louw?igsh=MmlsOHdqYXI5MmJ4&utm_source=qr
https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries-and-territories/africa-region/un-human-rights-southern-africa

Lesego Louw is a fierce African feminist activist and human rights champion from Galeshewe, Northern Cape. Raised by resilient women—her maternal grandmother, a dedicated domestic worker, and her entrepreneurial paternal grandmother — Lesego learned early the values of service, empowerment, and self-determination. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Governance from the University of the Witwatersrand, which underpins her relentless advocacy for the rights of youth and women. Lesego’s unwavering commitment to these causes is evident in her current role as Youth  Human Rights Associate at the United Nations Human Rights Office in Southern Africa. She leads the “Working With and For Youth in  Vulnerable Situations” project, conducting training, building advocacy capacity, and partnering with civil society to support marginalised youth across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. She also contributed to the UN’s publication on youth rights in South Africa and represents the UN in the Youth Theme Group. Her activism is rooted in justice and service, earning her the nickname, “Black Paragon of Excellence” from her community. Key achievements include co-founding the Period Poverty initiative, leading #DemocracyWeek for youth voter education, and serving as deputy president of the University of the Witwatersrand Student Representative Council (Wits SRC). The most valuable lesson Lesego has learned: “A dream delayed is not a dream denied.” Her guiding advice: “Arrive as the version of yourself that has already conquered obstacles. Be humble before those you serve, not about your greatness.”

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Governance, Wits University
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Peace, Security and Governance, Wits University
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Sociology and International Relations, Wits University

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Served as Wits SRC Deputy President, addressing student homelessness on campus.
  • Spearheaded the #DemocracyWeek national campaign with the IEC, promoting youth civic voter education across all nine provinces ahead of the 2024 national elections.
  • Co-founded ‘Period Poverty’ with Wits Chancellor Dr Judy Dlamini, distributing over 15,000 sanitary products in 2022; partnered with Clicks Foundation to further support affected students.
  • Led the Wits Social Sciences Student Council, first as deputy secretary and later as chairperson.
  • Served as chairperson of Wits SASCO and Wits ANCYL.
  • Held leadership positions on the SASCO Gauteng Provincial Task Team and ANCYL Zonal Task Team.
  • Facilitated dialogues with international delegations, including the Nigerian Government of Ekiti State, on South Africa’s response to gender-based violence and femicide.
  • Completed a Master’s thesis on ‘Intersections of Gender and Militarism in uMkhonto we Sizwe and the South African National Defence Force’, analysing the role of African women in the anti-apartheid movement and ongoing struggles for gender equality.
Author -
| mg.co.za
Chrissy Kwanele Dube

Chrissy Kwanele Dube

Chief stakeholders, projects and advocacy officer
Good Governance Africa
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissy-dube-6941322b2/

Chrissy Kwanele Dube serves as the chief stakeholders, projects, and advocacy officer at Good Governance Africa’s Southern Africa Regional Office. She advocates for the interconnectedness of organisations in promoting sustainable governance. In her role,  she leads stakeholder relations and strategic partnerships and is responsible for designing, delivering, and monitoring governance-focused initiatives. Her duties include mapping stakeholder priorities, organising meetings and roundtables with government officials, the private sector, and civil society,  negotiating partnership agreements, supervising project teams, reviewing Monitoring,  Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) reports, and translating research into actionable recommendations for decision-makers. Driven by her passion for stakeholder engagement, Chrissy builds trust and creates environments where leaders can use evidence to make informed, impactful decisions. She firmly believes that no organisation — public or private  — operates in isolation, and that effective stakeholder management is critical for achieving lasting results. Chrissy holds a Master of Commerce from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, along with certifications in advanced risk management, ethics, project management, and data analysis. With her extensive experience and educational qualifications, she is well-equipped to navigate complex governance challenges. Outside of her professional life, Chrissy is a mother of two who enjoys hiking, golf, and music. Guided by Aristotle’s principle—“We are what we repeatedly do; therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit”—she strives every day to be the kind of leader she would want to have, inspiring and empowering those around her and empowering those around her.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Commerce, University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours, University of KwaZulu-Natal 
  • Bachelor of Social Science: Industrial Organisational and Labour Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal 
  • Certificates completed: Advanced Risk Management, University of Cape Town – Ethics Officer Certification (Private and Public Sectors), University of Stellenbosch – Advanced Project Management, University of Cape Town – Data Analysis, University of Cape Town  – Tableau Desktop Certified Professional

 ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Policy Advocacy – conducting real-time audits of disaster relief funds and related initiatives.
  • Advisory Board Member – Nedbank Top Empowerment
  • Advisory Board Member – Future of Sustainability
  • Adjudicator – Standard Bank Top Women Awards
| mg.co.za
Boitumelo Sehlapelo

Boitumelo Sehlapelo

Immediate Supervisor, Records and Archives Clerk| Youth and Gender activist
Polokwane Local Municipality
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJizXVysJix/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.linkedin.com/in/boitumelo-sehlapelo-5851b113a/?originalSubdomain=za
https://www.polokwane.gov.za/

A passionate advocate for transformation and youth empowerment, Boitumelo Sehlapelo blends public service with purposeful activism. Holding an LLB from the University of South Africa and a Higher Certificate in Records and Archives Management, she currently serves as a Records and Archives Clerk at the Polokwane Local Municipality, where she oversees the classification of government gazettes and official records while supporting administrative and performance functions within her department. Boitumelo is also part of the ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Executive  Committee, where she continues to champion youth inclusion, gender equality, and social justice. Her leadership journey began as a student activist in SASCO, ANCYL, SAYC, BLASC, and SAWLASC, where she advocated for access to education, youth employment, and transformation in the legal profession. Through these platforms, she learned to pair compassion with action — from fundraising for student initiatives to leading legal awareness campaigns on gender-based violence and discrimination. Proud of her academic achievements and community work — including school uniform drives for underprivileged learners — Boitumelo remains deeply committed to service and progress. Her guiding belief: “Every chance we have to transform others positively, we must do it with love and commitment.”

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, University of South Africa
  • Higher certificates in Records and Archives Management, University of South Africa

ACHIEVEMENTS

I am proud of obtaining an LLB degree and of one of the most meaningful projects: distributing uniforms to schools.

| mg.co.za
Zukiswa Mqolomba

Zukiswa Mqolomba

Deputy chairperson and national commissioner
Public Service Commission
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zukiswa-mqolomba-b409a218/
https://www.psc.gov.za/

Growing up in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, Zukiswa Mqolomba dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, inspired by her grandmother, a nurse. In matric, however, she discovered a fascination with social sciences and realised her true calling: serving society. She holds multiple master’s degrees from the University of Sussex and the University of Cape Town. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology and Development, equipping her to understand and strengthen South Africa’s public sector. As deputy chairperson and national commissioner of the Public Service Commission, Zukiswa champions ethical governance, accountability, and constitutional values. She engages directly with government leaders, oversees service delivery, and mentors emerging public servants, ensuring that people — especially those who are marginalised — remain at the centre of public service. Every day involves oversight, leadership, and capacity-building, and what she enjoys most is witnessing tangible change: a  professional, ethical, and responsive public sector that shapes lives. Zukiswa draws inspiration from the principle of “Batho Pele” – People First. She has designed fellowship programmes for emerging leaders, trained public servants across Africa, and created thought leadership platforms that redefine service excellence. Her guiding lessons are clear: meaningful change is never easy, but perseverance, resilience, and vision make it possible. She lives by the advice: “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called,” and “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ph.D. in Sociology, Sociology Department, Faculty of Humanities, University of Cape Town (*currently on hold)
  • Ph.D. in Development, Development Studies Department, Faculty of Economics, Development and Business Sciences, University of Mpumalanga (*in progress)
  • Master of Arts in Poverty and Development, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex (*Chevening Scholar)
  • Master of Social Sciences (Research only), University of Cape Town (*Mandela Rhodes Scholar)
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Workplace Change & Labour Law Studies, University of Cape Town (*Johnson & Johnson Scholar)
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences in Labour, Organisational Psychology and Human Resource Management, University of Cape Town

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Spearheading the PSC Thoughtleaders Forum for the whole Public Service in South Africa, as the brainchild of Plenary, through my office as the deputy chairperson.
  • Spearheading the development of the PSC Constitutional Values and Principles Fellowship Programme for young emerging public servant leaders, through partnership with the Chandler Institute of Governance, our Singaporean partners.
  • Overseeing the development of the implementation oversight plan of the PSC for the Professionalisation Framework adopted by Cabinet in October 2022.
  • Overseeing the development of the PSC State of Public Service Report for 2025/2026.
| mg.co.za
Refiloe Ntšekhe

Refiloe Ntšekhe

Member
Gauteng Provincial Legislature, DA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/refiloe-ntsekhe-289b201b/?originalSubdomain=za
https://www.gpl.gov.za/ | https://www.da.org.za/

Refiloe Ntšekhe, a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature for the DA, is a dedicated champion for the vulnerable. Her role involves overseeing public institutions, proposing legislation, and holding executives accountable for their actions. With a Master’s degree in Policy Development & Practice from the University of Cape  Town, she is deeply committed to ethical leadership and good governance. Refiloe’s work is not confined to a typical day; every day presents new challenges and opportunities to make a difference. Her greatest reward is the knowledge that she has helped someone in need. Her work is driven by a belief in the transformative power of public office, challenging stereotypes about black leaders and demonstrating that it can be a space for integrity, service, and meaningful impact. Beyond politics, she enjoys travelling, playing tennis, and giving talks on human trafficking at high schools. She previously served as the DA’s national spokesperson for nine years and has been elected to the party’s provincial top 10 for three terms. Her proudest achievement is raising her three sons as a single mother and seeing them grow into men of honour. Reflecting on her journey, she  believes, “When you find a job that feels like a calling, you are never  just working — you are answering the call.” For Re loe, leaving high-paying corporate roles to serve her community has been the most fulfilling choice of her life.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree in Policy Development & Practice, University of Cape Town 
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management, University of Cape Town 
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Philosophy, University of Cape Town 
  • Diploma in Public Relations, Damelin

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Having been the national spokesperson for the DA for 9 years. 
  • Being elected onto the DA Top 10 for 3 terms for 9 years
  • My biggest pride is raising boy children as a single mom and watching them become beautiful men of honour. 
  • There are many, many small achievements that make my heart smile: when I see someone I have helped and see their lives uplifted, then I know I’m doing God’s work!
| mg.co.za
Philile Ntuli

Philile Ntuli

Commissioner
South African Human Rights Commission
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philile-ntuli-ab5015a6/

Philile Ntuli is a committed human rights advocate, cultural preservationist, and social justice leader serving as a commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission. She holds a Master of Social Science from the University of Pretoria and a certificate in African Political Economy from the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute (UNISA) — academic foundations that reinforce her work in policy, advocacy, and transformative community engagement. Her days are guided by dialogue, investigation, and collaboration with communities, government, and civil society, turning lived experiences into practical policy recommendations.  Her work spans land and housing rights, food security,  cultural preservation, and social cohesion — ensuring that marginalised voices are both heard and acted upon. Philile’s commitment is deeply personal. Growing up on a farm during South Africa’s transitional years, she witnessed inequality alongside the beauty of the land — shaping her conviction that justice and healing begin with dignity, culture, and belonging. She channels this through initiatives like the South African Water Justice Tracker, the Kwa-Ntu Heritage Sanctuary, and the Sisters’ Keepers Football Club for young girls. A creative at heart,  she expresses herself through clay sculpture and storytelling, honouring women’s resilience and preserving cultural memory. Guided by collaboration and empathy, Philile believes lasting change begins with people.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Social Science (MSocSci), University of Pretoria
  • Honours degree in Gender Studies, University of Pretoria
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Certificate completed: African Political Economy, Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, UNISA – Media Monitoring, Institute for the Advancement of Journalism –  Public Relations Writing, Provox Centre for Public Relations.

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Human Rights Leadership – serving as a commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission, leading inquiries and advocacy on land rights, food security, social cohesion, and cultural rights.
  • Water Justice – co-initiating and developing the South African Water Justice Tracker, South Africa’s foremost database for monitoring the government’s progressive realisation of the right to water.
  • Environmental & Health Advocacy – working with activist communities across South Africa to secure the banning of Turbofos, a harmful pesticide, successfully achieved in June 2025.
  • Housing Rights – advocating for women denied their right to adequate housing and ensuring the government delivers safe and dignified homes.
  • Community-Centred Projects – coordinating and establishing the girls’ soccer team “Sisters’ Keepers Football Club”, promoting leadership, teamwork, and confidence among young girls.
  • Cultural Preservation & Knowledge Work – advancing projects that protect indigenous knowledge, including research and documentation of the Durban Medicine Market, preserving living traditions of healing.
  • Regenerative Development – developing the Kwa-Ntu Heritage Sanctuary, a regenerative tourism initiative that integrates land, culture, and community renewal.
  • Creative Expression – using art and storytelling, including clay sculpture and oral histories, to celebrate women’s resilience and preserve cultural memory.
| mg.co.za
Danielle Nel-Sanders

Danielle Nel-Sanders

Professor of Public Management and Governance, School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg and Danielle Nel-Sanders is a professor of public management and governance at the University of Johannesburg, holding a PhD in public management. She teaches, conducts research, and provides academic leadership in the School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy. Her work focuses on public sector risk management, alternative service delivery, and sustainable development. Danielle is particularly passionate about mentoring master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral students, guiding them to develop research skills, confidence, and independent thinking. She also serves as chief editor of Administratio Publica. She participates in professional bodies, including the Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management and the LGSeta Research Committee. Danielle’s love for education began early, tutoring peers and supporting students at every level. She firmly believes that equipping future public servants with knowledge and critical thinking is central to societal transformation, a belief that underscores the importance of her work. “Being an academic is not just a job,” she reflects, “it’s an opportunity to shape decisions that impact society.” Outside academia, Danielle enjoys mountain biking, hiking, rebounding, and gardening, which blend fitness and nature for a balanced approach. Her accolades include NRF Thuthuka and Emerging Researcher grants, international fellowships, and academic awards. Her guiding principle: “Take initiative wherever you are, and meaningful progress will follow.”
ba, ca, ma, PhD, Ma, master, doctor
University of Johannesburg, Danielle Nel-Sanders is a professor of public management and governance at the University of Johannesburg, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, College of Business and Economics

WOMEN IN POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Danielle Nel-Sanders

Professor of Public Management and Governance, School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg

Danielle Nel-Sanders is a professor of public management and governance at the University of Johannesburg, holding a PhD in public management. She teaches, conducts research, and provides academic leadership in the School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy. Her work focuses on public sector risk management, alternative service delivery, and sustainable development. Danielle is particularly passionate about mentoring master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral students, guiding them to develop research skills, confidence, and independent thinking. She also serves as chief editor of Administratio Publica. She participates in professional bodies, including the Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management and the LGSeta Research Committee. Danielle’s love for education began early, tutoring peers and supporting students at every level. She firmly believes that equipping future public servants with knowledge and critical thinking is central to societal transformation, a belief that underscores the importance of her work. “Being an academic is not just a job,” she reflects, “it’s an opportunity to shape decisions that impact society.” Outside academia, Danielle enjoys mountain biking, hiking, rebounding, and gardening, which blend fitness and nature for a balanced approach. Her accolades include NRF Thuthuka and Emerging Researcher grants, international fellowships, and academic awards. Her guiding principle: “Take initiative wherever you are, and meaningful progress will follow.”

Sewela Mamphiswana | mg.co.za

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