Mamkhabela Tamara Mthembu

Mamkhabela Tamara Mthembu, 23, holds an LLB  degree from the University of Pretoria, graduating cum laude with consistent top placements.  She is a candidate legal practitioner in ENSafrica’s project finance department, supporting energy and infrastructure projects. Alongside her legal career,  Mamkhabela is a Unicef South Africa youth advocate, championing issues of climate change, energy and nutrition. Through the Fix My Food campaign, she has led policy advocacy efforts calling for transparent food labelling regulations and using the arts to amplify youth voices on nutrition. Mamkhabela was named South Africa’s top oralist in 2024, led her team to national victory in the White & Case Jessup Moot, and contributed to a top-10 finish at the African Human Rights Moot Court in Cairo. Her international coaching initiatives, including founding the I Have Spoken Developmental Academy, have created platforms for students from underserved communities to master advocacy and public speaking. She is also a climate change photographer, SABC panellist and advocate for social justice.

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Pretoria — *cum laude

• Graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Pretoria
• Ranked among the top students, including a top 6 placement in the third year
• Named to the Dean’s Merit List for four consecutive years
• Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society
• Achieved first position in Environmental Law in the final year
• Named Best Championship Oralist in South Africa – led team to victory in the White & Case Jessup Moot Competition (2024)
• Contributed to a top-10 international finish at the Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition (Cairo)
• Served as an international moot court coach for students from Morocco, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Cameroon and South Africa
• Published author and climate change photographer featured in Green Rising: Through a Fresh Lens — a collaboration with UNICEF and Kim Ludbrook
• Panellist on SABC 1 for International Human Rights Day, speaking on youth, climate change and human rights
• As a UNICEF SA youth advocate – played a role in the Fix My Food campaign – drafted policy statements promoting transparent food labelling – delivered an open letter to Deputy Minister of Health, Joseph Phaahla, during National Nutrition Week – led the creative portfolio, driving youth-led policy advocacy and communication strategies

I look up to my mother, Lydia Gugulethu Mthembu. She grew up in extremely harsh conditions but persevered to raise my siblings and me as a single mother. Before becoming a nurse, she washed laundry for people in our village at eMalangeni to support her studies. Raised by my grandmother—who was once a street kid during the apartheid era—in destitute conditions, she went on to create heaven on earth for us. She has been central to my academic success and has shaped my compassion toward the world. My mother raised us with prayer, kindness, compassion, and so much love. That is why I look up to her and make it a point to lead with kindness, love, and compassion in everything I do.