Johannesburg-born mental health advocate Mbali Shongwe, 26, has always been driven by the belief that every person deserves to be seen, supported, and heard. As the founder of Mindful(l), Mbali is reshaping how communities engage with mental health. Her organisation offers free counselling services, workshops and digital resources. Her leadership earned her recognition as part of Nike’s Well Collective. She also serves as a programme manager for BLKHLTH South Africa, a platform amplifying black mental health through education, events and advocacy. She works with Transform Education under the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative, championing gender-transformative education, and co-hosts the Inclusive Economy Podcast exploring equity-driven futures. She was named a 2023 News24 Young Mandela of the Future and recipient of the #MyVoiceForJustice Award for her policy advocacy against gender-based violence. Mbali has led campaigns that shifted national conversations, most notably for the Convicted Offenders Amendment Bill. She is preparing to pursue her MSc in global mental health and society at the University of Edinburgh, building on her work with the Africa CDC and Global Fellows in Courage.
Like many change makers, I have been deeply shaped by those who lead with courage, care and conviction. Malala Yousafzai has long been a personal icon of that kind of leadership. Her fearless defiance of the Taliban at just 15 — risking her life to advocate for girls’ education — taught me that your voice matters, no matter your age or circumstance. Her story affirmed my belief in using lived experience as a catalyst for justice, and she reminded me never to shrink in spaces where my voice can drive change. At home, my parents offered a powerful and nuanced blueprint for social activism. They asserted that service is not limited to one path, and that advocacy can show up in every career, space or season of life. Their collective influence taught me that meaningful change happens wherever empathy and intention are present. Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to be guided by mentors who’ve helped me translate that foundation into tangible growth. Dr Vanessa Lynch was the first person to recognise the power of my voice and story on a public stage. Her encouragement helped me step fully into advocacy — not just as a form of healing, but as a legitimate career — and she connected me to the resources and platforms that helped me deepen my impact. More recently, Paulah Wheeler — my current employer and mentor, who is the co-founder of BLKHLTH — has been instrumental in shaping my leadership journey. Despite her depth of experience, Paulah leads with humility, patience and a truly non-hierarchical approach. From the very beginning, she trusted me with responsibility and gave me room to explore, lead and learn. Her belief in me came at a pivotal moment, and meeting her when I did has undeniably transformed my advocacy. She has helped me sharpen my skills, clarify my path and believe more boldly in my own potential. Paulah’s mentorship has been nothing short of transformative, and her commitment to my growth — both within and beyond the organisation — continues to shape my trajectory towards sustainable, impactful leadership.