Itumeleng Mothlabane

Is a social justice advocate based in Alice, Eastern Cape. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Industrial Psychology and Business Management from the University of Fort Hare, and a Higher Certificate in Just Leadership from Stellenbosch University. Itumeleng has over a decade’s experience in civil society, specialising in education justice, youth leadership, rural development, and movement building. Throughout her career, Itumeleng has worked across various sectors, from gender-based violence and HIV activism to rural development, with a focus on addressing poverty and inequality in the education system, and youth apathy. Her work includes co-coordinating Emhlangeni CAN, a rural development organisation focused on food insecurity, gender-based violence, and health issues, and serving as the Deputy General Secretary at Equal Education where she supported young people to provide their input on education policies. Itumeleng is an alumnus of programmes like the Young African Leaders Institute for Civic Leadership and Activate for young leaders. She is an acknowledged community facilitator and in 2023 was named one of South Africa’s Top Ten Outstanding Young People by the Junior Chamber International.