Committed to positive change and development

Nondumiso Andile Ngwenya is committed to joining the United Nations and improving communities around the world.

"One can only contribute to communities as much as they have contributed to their development as a person," she said.

The 20-year-old go-getter is ready to take on the world and leave a lasting impression. She has plans to work at the United Nations, and is deeply committed to promoting social progress, improve human rights and higher living standards.

"As cliché as it seems, truly, I aspire to bring about evident and impactful change to communities around the world."

Ngwenya is led by her passion for people, constantly on the lookout for chances to serve and be useful. "Leadership prompts positive change and development; great leaders are those who have or know how it feels to be a servant," she says.

She strives for excellence and lives to give God praise – her name translates to 'mother of praise'.

Academic and sports excellence

At Dominican Convent High School (DCHS) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she attained academic honours after getting 6 A’s at IGCSE ordinary level.

She served as the sports captain in the learners’ prefect or representative council. Ngwenya volunteered extensively as a member of the school’s Interact Club, continuing to live by their motto: service above self. She also got full colours, or sports honours, for having made it onto the national basketball team. She said that her award for her great contribution to sports is her favourite among many she got in school.

In 2022, she came to Namibia in pursuit of her honours in social work at the University of Namibia (Unam). The same year, she oversaw the student representative council elections.

This year, she formed Dev-Implement: development through implementation, a society raising awareness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Their first event is set for later this month. Ngwenya is on the Unam Phoenix basketball team, champions of the past season. She is also an African Pathfinders Leaders Initiative (APLI) fellow, where she acquired community organising, pitching and leadership skills.

Accomplishments

"I do not take opportunities offering growth and development lightly," said Ngwenya.

She recently completed and was certified in the second phase of Harvard’s Aspire Leaders online project management programme under the Project Management Institute, obtained during the World Federation of the United Nations (WFUNA’s) 'Under the Starry Sky' workshop programme, and took part in a personal and leadership development workshop in collaboration with Purposeful Camp Namibia and the Unam Accounting Society.

Volunteering

Ngwenya was appointed as the executive director of the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA) Namibian branch to spearhead the development of African communities.

She frequently volunteers at the Windhoek Rotaract Club, conducting projects aimed at developing communities.

She has volunteered for the Namibian National Students Organisation (Nanso), ensuring access to education for all. She is a Slum2School volunteer for an organisation that ensures children in slums also get access to education. "At the mention of my name, I want excellence, hard work, and effort to never be forgotten."