Hein Scheepers

Hein Scheepers, 33, is a grassroots organiser in George. He initially aspired to be a teacher, seeing education as a tool to empower communities. He enrolled for a BSc in conservation biology, intending to pursue a postgraduate teaching qualification. However, student politics and activism on campus drew him deeper into the realm of civil society. Hein redirected his passion into community development. Over the past decade, he has completed training with organisations including Activate! Change Drivers, YALI, and Africa Unite. His skillset spans planning, research and the implementation of grassroots initiatives. He makes innovative use of local resources to mobilise youth and community action. Hein co-directs the Africa Day Festival in George, now in its eighth year, and hosts the Ashley Kriel Memorial Cypher in Cape Town. His flagship initiative is the Adwa Movement, a pan-African collective that he co-founded at the age of 23. In 2023, he was honoured with a medal by the Ethiopian Veterans Association for his role in organising the Adwa Victory Parade. He is completing a BA in international relations through Unisa.

• Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, University of South Africa (Unisa) – in progress
• Training received: National Youth Resilience Initiative (Apr 2021 – Nov 2022) – Digital marketing course, Digify Africa – (Oct – Dec 2020) – Community development practitioner training, ACTIVATE (Seta-accredited) – (Nov 2018 – Nov 2019) – Public management and governance, YALI–UNISA – (Apr – May 2017) – African political economy, TMALI–UNISA – (Jul – Dec 2015)

• Cofounded the Adwa Movement, an unregistered social movement established in 2015 to commemorate the Adwa Victory Parade and celebrate African resistance and heritage.
• Organised and hosted the 10th annual Adwa Victory Parade in Cape Town city centre in 2024, marking a decade of consistent public engagement. The event welcomed notable guests, including Professor Mammo Muchie and other dignitaries, reflecting the movement’s growing cultural and historical significance.
• In 2023, received a lapel badge and medal of recognition from a visiting delegation of the Ethiopian Veterans Association, in honour of the professionalism and dignity shown in hosting the parade.

Inspired by a wide array of activist, academic, creative, community, athletic and artistic figures whose work reflects principled resistance and transformational leadership. Notable influences include: Patrice Lumumba, Winnie Mandela, Coco Gauff, Frantz Fanon, Tsietsi Mashinini, Paulo Freire, Lauryn Hill, Ashley Kriel, Princess Diana, Steve Biko, Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, Dulcie September, Naomi Campbell, the youth of 1976, Robert Sobukwe, Chris Hani, Tupac Shakur, Che Guevara, Bob Marley, Haile Selassie, and Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The elders of my community, as a collective, have provided enduring inspiration — instilling values of discipline, sacrifice and the imperative to continue building communities through sustained grassroots effort. Many were active in the struggle against apartheid and continue to serve as living reminders that the work of liberation is ongoing. The ideas, visions and sacrifices of these individuals are studied and meditated upon regularly. Their praxis continues to shape both insight and action.