Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala

Growing up in rural Limpopo, Rebecca Phala, 31, immersed herself in literature, driven by the belief that mastering language could open doors to a better life. She is the first woman and youngest person to serve as national spokesperson and communications manager for the South African National Taxi  Council — the male-dominated governing body of South Africa’s taxi industry. Her job sees her shaping national discourse, managing crisis communication and representing about 250 000 taxi operators. Mmatshikhidi’s media journey began at the University of Limpopo, where she founded Turf Campus TV, a student-run channel still inspiring aspiring broadcasters today. Her early career included jobs as a radio presenter, news editor and print journalist, equipping her with an understanding of media and politics. In 2018, she launched #TheBigSisterConversation, an initiative encouraging education, reading and health among rural girls. Through school visits, sanitary pad drives and book donations she uplifts young women from the same communities that shaped her. Mmatshikhidi was named a 2024 Rising Star in Public Service Communications by the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa, Limpopo.

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies, University of Limpopo 
• Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Political Studies, University of Limpopo 
• National Certificate in Radio Production, Revolution Media Academy 
• Short Course Certificates: Introduction to Media Law, Fray College – Introduction to Digital Journalism, Reuters Digital Training – African Feminist Macroeconomic Academy, the African Feminist Macroeconomic Academy (AFMA) – Gender Reporting, Digital Publishing, Developing Gender Policy and Data Journalism,  the African Women in Media Academy (AWIM) as sponsored by the Fojo Media Institute 

• Co-founded Turf Campus TV at the University of Limpopo — a student-led initiative broadcast on YouTube channel that provided opportunities for ten students to present, create, shoot and package educational web-based content. The project was nominated for a Digital Female Leader Award in 2018.
• Served simultaneously as news editor, talk show content producer and presenter for Energy FM, one of Limpopo’s leading radio stations, while also working as a print journalist specialising in hard news
• Launched the #TheBigSisterConversation initiative in 2018 — a programme involving sleepovers, school visits and book drives, aimed at encouraging rural girls to pursue academic excellence, healthy living and a love for reading. The initiative was an extension of the radio talk show “Conversations with Rebecca Phala”, demonstrating the use of public media and a professional network to drive community impact among young girls in villages
• Appointed as the first female and youngest individual to serve as communications manager and national spokesperson for the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in 2023 — a historically male-dominated institution overseeing the country’s taxi industry.
• Received the Rising Star in Public Service Communications Award from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA), Limpopo Chapter in 2024.

• Nozipho Tshabalala, founder of the Conversation Strategists, is a sought-after public speaker, conversation facilitator, programmes director and media personality. A consistent inspiration in my career as a media and communications practitioner, her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering others to dream big, pursue excellence and develop their talents
• Mpoomy Ledwaba, a social media entrepreneur, transitioned from academic pursuits to building one of the most recognisable social media brands in South Africa and has a public speaking talent, which inspires my journey to follow my dreams.