NPO founder acknowledged as one of SA’s Top 50 most influential young women

The South African Heroines Awards Foundation is an organisation elevating the nation’s outstanding females to lofty heights.

Founder of Mpho Ya Lethabo Foundation Lethabo Mofokane was recognised as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women at the 2023 Heroines Awards and also received the prestigious Black Blazer Award. Lethabo answers a few questions about her success.

Q: What do you think led to you being acknowledged as one of the top 50 influential women in South Africa?

A: I believe that being the youngest nominee and recipient of the award made me stand out. I have been involved in humanitarian projects since the age of 16 and founded the Mpho Ya Lethabo Foundation at just 17 years old. The foundation has completed numerous projects in the past three years and has helped to restore the hope and dignity of several young people.

Q:How do you feel about the recognition and what do you plan to use your platform for?

A: I am extremely honoured and excited about the recognition. Being recognised as one of the top 50 influential women in South Africa is an incredible honor and a huge responsibility. I plan to use my platform to continue to advocate for the rights and well-being of young people in South Africa and beyond. I hope to inspire other young people to get involved in humanitarian work and to make a positive impact in their communities.

Q: What projects are you currently working on and what short-term goals do you have?

A: My team and I are currently working on several projects under the Mpho Ya Lethabo Foundation, including the End Period Poverty Campaign, Exam Care Package Campaign, Career Guidance Campaign, and Mental Health and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Awareness Campaign. Recently, I also joined the Youth For Change Movement as the secretary, and my foundation collaborated with the Youth For Change Movement to produce and distribute sanitary pads to marginalised young girls in our country in hopes of combating period poverty.

My short-term goals are to spread awareness and continue with the mental health, gender-based violence and femicide campaign, as well as the period poverty campaign and career guidance campaign. We also plan to grow these campaigns by involving more stakeholders and raising more funds.

Q: How can people assist you in your mission?

A: To assist in my mission, people can visit the Mpho Ya Lethabo Instagram page @mphoyalethabofoundation to learn more about our projects and how to get involved. Additionally, people can donate to our foundation or volunteer their time to help us with our campaigns. We welcome any support that can help us continue advocating for the rights and well-being of young people in South Africa and beyond.