Lusanda Madikane, 29, a communicator and community development practitioner, was raised in Mqanduli, a small town in the Eastern Cape. She is the founder of the Nozizwe Foundation, which runs grassroots projects focusing on education, cultural preservation and child support in rural areas. She also established The Woman Sorrows, a platform that highlights the realities of rural women, including abuse. One of its flagship projects, the Active Youth Leader Campaign, recognises young women who are creating positive change in their communities. Lusanda is a master’s student in communication science, a research assistant, a student mentor and content developer. She is a Wikipedia isiXhosa editor and is chairperson of the Xhosa Students Association and the African Languages Student Association at the University of the Free State. She also represents arts and culture in the student parliament, promoting the use of indigenous languages and cultural expression. She has honours in communication science and is a two-time recipient of the National Research Foundation scholarship.
Dr Imboni Uzwi-Lezwe Radebe is a figure of deep admiration. His unwavering commitment to restoring African identity, indigenous spirituality and self-reliance has had a profound influence on my journey. As a visionary spiritual leader, philosopher and founder of The Revelation Spiritual Home, he teaches that greatness begins with knowing who you are — a principle that has shaped my understanding of leadership, culture and service. Dr Radebe’s courage in challenging colonial narratives and reawakening African consciousness continues to inspire a rootedness in heritage, the pursuit of academic excellence and leading with authenticity. His teachings have helped embrace Ubuntu, spiritual intelligence and the critical importance of restoring dignity to African knowledge systems. These values underpin my work with the Nozizwe Foundation, The Woman Sorrows and advocacy for indigenous languages and cultural pride. He continues to serve as a mentor and guide — a reminder that transformational leadership begins with spiritual clarity.