Noor Ahmad

From dissecting political injustices with her father to leading regional campaigns for democratic account- ability, Noor Ahmad’s journey has been rooted in activism. By high school, she was writing about a more equitable world. That grew into a passion for mental health, humanitarian work and youth mobilisation. Her activism deepened during the #FeesMustFall movement in 2016. Noor obtained her BA in social science and honours in psychology from the University of KwaZulu- Natal. Financial constraints interrupted her master’s at the University of the Witwatersrand, but it didn’t halt her advocacy. As communications manager at Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), Noor, 27, leads strategy, stakeholder engagement and advocacy around digital rights and media accountability. She’s led campaigns such as the coalition against the SABC Bill and presented the MMA’s research on internet shutdowns at global conferences. Noor also works with the Palestine Solidarity Alliance and the SOS Coalition. In 2021, she was named Amnesty International SA’s Youth Activist of the Year and received the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Leadership Baton in 2023. She is also a youth adviser to the Swedish embassy and a Generation Equity fellow.

• Bachelor of Social Science degree, University of KwaZulu-Natal — majored in psychology and organisational psychology; awarded cum laude with an average of 79% (2016)
• Bachelor of Social Science honours degree in Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal — graduated summa cum laude (2019)
• Master of Arts in Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand  (*in progress)

• Served as Project Coordinator at the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, leading and contributing to multiple campaigns focused on community empowerment and solidarity building.
• Spearheaded the Young Leaders Forum in collaboration with Constitution Hill, Amnesty International South Africa, and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Youth Programme — a full-day workshop that brought together 60 young leaders from diverse communities for training on leadership, activism and community service.
• Held the role of Campaigns and Communications Coordinator at the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, leading a successful campaign to oppose the SABC Bill, which was widely seen as a threat to the independence of public broadcasting – coordinated the efforts of more than 30 civil society organisations to advocate for a more accountable, transparent broadcasting framework
• Represented Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) in Lusaka, Zambia, in May 2024, launching a research report on internet shutdowns in Africa during the continent’s 2024 elections super year
• Participated in panel discussions on Ubuntu and AI governance and the accountability of tech platforms in upholding information integrity

• Arundhati Roy, the renowned Indian author and political activist. Her fearless critique of the Indian government, despite personal risk, and her writing on social inequality, colonial and postcolonial legacies, family dynamics and the complexities of Indian society, stand as testaments to bold, ethical activism. Her resistance to fascism, globalisation and social injustice exemplifies the courage and commitment that continue to inspire.
• William Bird, director of Media Monitoring Africa (MMA). With more than 30 years’ experience in the media and democracy sector, he has dedicated his career to advancing accountability and public interest journalism. His leadership and guidance have supported growth and learning in the current role at MMA. His influence has helped foster a strong passion for information integrity, particularly in the face of misinformation and disinformation.