Nondumiso Mahlanze

Category: Compassion

As a second-year university student two years ago, Nondumiso Mahlanze, now 21, saw a gap in the provision of post school information regarding university applications and bursary opportunities available to rural communities.

She established a non-profit organisation called Help A Matriculant (HAM) with the purpose of providing learners and rural schools with the information needed to progress to higher institutions. The organisation travels to rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, specifically to schools in quintile one and two, conducting workshops on the CAO application process, NSFAS applications and career guidance.

HAM's 2018 Mandela Day event was attended by Dr Ngogi Mahaye, the acting chief director in the office of the KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Education, who recognised and commended the work of the organisation. The support and acknowledgement motivated Mahlanze to do even more to create platforms for people to achieve their dreams. For Women’s Month in 2018, she was invited to the Women’s Charter Review Conference at Parliament in recognition of her contributions as co-founder of HAM and to participate in the national discussion about women's issues.

She plans to make a career of improving the lives of all individuals especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.