Ngwenya among top 100 under 40 influential figures of African descent

Nondumiso Ngwenya, a beacon of excellence in humanitarian endeavours, has been recognised as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in the top 100 under 40 list. Her journey to this prestigious acknowledgment has been one of dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Reflecting on her journey to her current position as student representative council (SRC) member for community development and gender affairs at the University of Namibia (Unam), Ngwenya described the surreal moment she received the email nomination at the beginning of the year.

“I was shocked. At first I thought it wasn’t true!” Following two interviews via a video conference call to New York, she was informed of her selection as one of the 100 under 40. Despite her initial disbelief, Ngwenya's excellence is evident from her high school days.

She was the youngest learner to obtain academic honours when she earned six As, and she received sports honours for being selected to join the Zimbabwean national basketball team. She was also part of the executive body of the learners representative council as the sports captain.

“I am constantly doing my best and putting my best foot forward in the pursuit of maintaining excellence,” Ngwenya said.

Activism and advocacy

Furthermore, she has been faithful in her pursuit as a volunteer at various organisations, Including serving in the youth body of Rotary International, which is one of the largest service organisations in the world.

Ngwenya's influence stems from her activism and advocacy for the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and her involvement in various initiatives as well as volunteer work aimed at enhancing education systems and community well-being.“I think influence is being able to shift people's mindsets, the ability to change behaviours.”

As a leader, she sees her responsibilities as being committed to her cause, making a tangible impact and staying true to her values, including transparency and accountability.

Her impact extends beyond personal achievements; Ngwenya hopes to inspire others to invest in community development and SDGs, both locally and globally. She recognises the challenges she faced, including time constraints and the need to raise awareness about SDGs among Namibian youth. However, her perseverance and dedication have led to significant strides in overcoming these obstacles.

“Transparency is the best way in which to stay true to your values. I always think if my life were to be broadcast for the world to see, I would want to stand by what I'm doing, saying and thinking, knowing I'm on the right track.”

Balance

Balancing her personal and professional life has been a challenge for Ngwenya, who finds joy in both academic pursuits and community engagement. Yet, she remains committed to effective time management and making the most of every opportunity. “I really just want to leave a footprint in terms of having made the greatest impact of making people aware of the SDGs and their implementation.”

Looking ahead, Ngwenya's goals include graduating with academic excellence, personal growth in discipline, and expanding the reach of her society to other universities. “I have often come across as a workaholic; however, I am trying to achieve a balance.”

Professionally, she aspires to have her work recognised for its impact and hopes to receive further recognition for her contributions. “I would love to have more of my work actually present its impact; I want to actually see and receive that recognition that the work that I'm doing actually does have an impact.”

Ngwenya has achieved just that by scooping number 19 on the global 100 under 40 Class of 2024.

This bright young woman's achievement is not just a celebration of her individual accomplishment, but also a testament to her dedication to creating positive change.