Aviwe Funani

For Aviwe Funani, 34, advocacy for equality and representation has always been part of her DNA. She is a leading voice for global youth mental health. As senior policy and advocacy officer at United for Global Mental Health, she heads the Being initiative. It is one of the world’s largest youth mental health projects, spanning 12 countries in Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Her work ensures that young people’s mental health is prioritised through advocacy, policy development and capacity building, reaching global platforms like the United Nations and the World Health Organisation. She has contributed to the World Economic Forum’s Women’s Health Initiative, led the Global Shapers Cape Town Hub, and co-founded the Emergent Girls Business and Coding Academy, empowering unemployed young women in the Cape Flats. Named one of CoCreate South Africa’s Top 50 Inspiring Women, Aviwe remains rooted in her community, volunteering through Sisters for Mental Health, awareness drives and an advocacy for mental health in communities of colour.

• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Information Systems, University of the Western Cape,
• Additional courses and training completed: Business Writing, Richfield College, 2024 – Mental Health First Aider, Mental Health First Aid England, 2023 – Strategic Business Management Certificate, University of Cape Town – GetSmarter Online Learning, 2020 – Fellowship for Organisational Innovation, Fellow, Douglas and Eleanor Murray Trust, 2019 – Keeping Children Safe Coalition International, Module 1, Certificate, 2019 – Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner Certificate, Tristan Soa

• Led an organisational event at the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly, in partnership with the South African Health Representative to the United Nations
• Contributed to the development of the World Economic Forum’s Women’s Health Initiative
• Named one of CoCreate South Africa’s Top 50 Inspiring Women in 2019
• Led the Cape Town hub of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, a youth-led initiative focused on social impact
• Co-designed and launched the Dream Factory Foundation’s Emergent Girls Business and Coding Academy, which equips unemployed post-matric girls in the Cape Flats with business and digital skills

• Influence began at home, with my parents who worked together to uplift young people and encouraged bold thinking, compassion and a commitment to creating a better world.
• Winnie Madikizela-Mandela stands out for the unwavering tenacity she showed as a leader in South Africa’s liberation struggle. Her passion for the country continues to inspire a strong commitment to national and continental progress—anchoring the belief that every action can contribute to a better South Africa.
• A formative personal influence came from auntie Mbele, a caregiver who provided strength and protection during childhood challenges. Through acts of care and encouragement, she helped build confidence and foster a mindset of self-worth and resilience.