​35-year-old Minah Basani Mkhavele, a qualified Social worker in the Gauteng Department of Social Development, has won two Awards with the Mail & Guardian publication.
Mkhavele is a double 2021 Mail & Guardian award winner on a top list of 200 young South Africans under the Rural Development category as well as one of the 2021 powerful women under the category of the governing women.

She said the nominations and winning on this category came through after she has personally raised donations with the help from friends and family members and managed to reach different communities in both urban and rural areas in the interest of helping the vulnerable child and youth headed households by donating sanitary towels and toiletries.

“That made me realise that I am indeed an influential young leader, one of the recognised change agents who can help inspire and lead in South Africa” said a proud Mkhavele.

Mkhavele is also a departmental Research Panel member, and appointed as a Girl Child Ambassador under the Directorate of Gender Based and Disability Mainstreaming (GYDM). Originally from Limpopo Province she was trained by Active Drive Change Drivers SA Academy in Cape Town.

She is also a Young African Leaders Public Management Track Alumni, a programme offered for young people by University of South Africa and USAID under UNISA School of Business Leadership.

Currently she is 2021 successful selected candidate for National Mentorship movement programme by SANLAM in partnership with Activate Change Drivers South Africa.

“I am a Parliamentary public participant; I disseminate communications to different relevant stakeholders
particularly community-based organisations about the participation in any communicated Children Amendment Bills and other related legislations that talks to development and requires public participation. I persisted in pursuing knowledge and wisdom to be a reflective leader that society needs in the 21 Century.

“I have developed values of accountability and governance to do good when assigned with responsibilities and I have been doing community development projects and delivered it effectively through working with diverse leaders from different communities.

“As a motivational speaker and passionate about education, I continuously host career expos in both rural and urban areas to empower the young generation to grow up responsibly”, added Mkhavele​.