Growing up in Lamontville, a Durban township with a history of activism and resistance, Vusumuzi Bhengu, 32, learned that justice extends beyond the courtroom. As a communications, website administration, reporting and monitoring associate at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vusumuzi works at the intersection of governance, transparency and regional coordination. His portfolio includes supporting initiatives that combat illicit financial flows, counter-terrorism financing and asset recovery efforts. His career highlights include leading the production of a commemorative publication for the 15th anniversary of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa, documenting success stories from 17 countries. He also counts his selection for the Young African Leaders Initiative as a defining moment. An advocate for youth empowerment, Vusumuzi has helped provide information and communications technology skills training to more than 4 000 young people from underserved communities through the Varsity Genie platform. For him, access to digital skills is a gateway to opportunity and a means to empower future change-makers.
The late Sandile Ndlovu, a community leader and high school English teacher at Lamontville High School. In 2006, he gave a book that completely reshaped the outlook on life and leadership. Beyond the classroom, he became a mentor during formative years, encouraging critical thinking, grounding in values and never underestimating the power of community-driven change.