Nkele Talifhani Galedzana is a bold and visionary leader from Alexandra Township who has spent her life rewriting the narrative for young people growing up in environments plagued by poverty, addiction, and generational hardship. At just 29, she has emerged as one of South Africa’s most dynamic youth advocates and grassroots changemakers.
A product of Alexandra, Nkele transformed a troubled start into a testimony of triumph. She was nearly expelled in high school for selling marijuana—but was saved by teachers who saw her potential. That moment catalysed her journey of purpose. She became the first in her family to matriculate, enter university, and travel abroad. Her leadership instinct grew from protecting her siblings into building platforms of healing, opportunity, and community resilience.
In 2021, she became the youngest independent candidate to contest the Local Government Elections in her ward, running against political giants and earning national attention. Since then, she’s received top honours: the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans (2022) and South Africa’s 100 Shining Stars (2024).
Her projects include school uniform drives for over 500 learners, clean-up campaigns post-unrest, GBV and gun-free campaigns, disaster relief after community fires, and a feeding program for over 5,000 families. Through her mental health-driven concept “Famship,” she addresses trauma at family level—one conversation at a time.
Now a fellow of the prestigious Futurelect Leadership Program, Nkele continues to uplift, disrupt, and reform. Her work echoes the words she lives by: “I was here.”
