For Katlego Selikane, 31, healthcare is more than clinical practice — it is a tool for dignity, equity and connection. Katlego leads Keready, a groundbreaking digital campaign providing youth-friendly health services to more than 120 000 South Africans through WhatsApp. She oversees strategic operations, content development, team management and stakeholder relations to ensure accessible, reliable health information reaches those who need it most. Her impact extends beyond Keready. From co-founding Let Us Study With You, which supported medical students during Covid-19, to launching accessible women’s health drives, Katlego consistently champions innovative, community-centred healthcare solutions. Her leadership in the Keready mobile clinic project reached more than a million learners, delivering four million healthcare consultations. Katlego is also the founder of Clueless Moms, an online platform supporting about 9 000 mothers with reliable childcare information, community dialogue and wellness resources — a space she built during her own postpartum journey. Katlego is grounded in her belief that equitable healthcare and community support can transform lives.
I deeply admire my mother. Though she may not hold notable accolades, her resilience and adaptability continue to inspire me. With limited access to formal education, she was still able to build an impressive career. Despite numerous personal challenges, she has always managed to persevere. Her strength serves as a constant reminder for me to rise in the face of adversity. I also work closely with a leadership coach, Dr Nondumiso, whom I meet monthly. Our sessions focus on my aspirations and challenges, and she has been instrumental in helping me recognise and harness my inner power. One of the most impactful lessons she has taught me is how to quiet my inner critic — what she calls the “internal COO”. Through her guidance, I’ve learnt to be more courageous, to push beyond my limits and to value the power of collaboration and network-building.