“If everyone helped their neighbour, who would be in need of help?”

Thaafir Mustapha

Category

Politics & Governance
 

Organisation / Company

SoWeVote

 

Position

Founder and president

 

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Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Cape Town (*second year)

Achievements

  • Garnered attention for youth voter engagement through simplified language and memes — an often underestimated method of presenting content in a country where political education has declined. During workshops hosted at schools, the response from learners reveals both hope and understanding, as well as a hunger for change that is frequently denied or overlooked.
  • A new schools programme is set to launch, designed in collaboration with a colleague. The initiative integrates data collection, relational organising and leadership development for learners from diverse backgrounds.

Mentors

  • Zohran Mamdani, Bernie Sanders, Jacinda Ardern and Conner Rousseau have inspired me to fight for all people everywhere and to be relentless in my fight
  • Fasiha Hassan, Candice Chirwa, and Nelson Mandela  – their audacity to try something outside of convention to further the cause
  • Young people everywhere — and those from the Soweto Uprising, after whom my organisation is named — inspire me in knowing that, with a wealth of time, hope and a willingness to engage, nothing can deter us from achieving our dreams