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.
I have always admired people who use their influence to promote justice, dignity and collective progress. One of the most significant influences in my life was the late Sandile Ndlovu, a community leader and my high school English teacher at Lamontville High School. In 2006, he gave me a book that completely reshaped my outlook on life and leadership. Beyond the classroom, he became a mentor during my formative years, encouraging me to think critically, stay grounded in my values and never underestimate the power of community-driven change. His guidance helped me see that leadership is not always about titles, but about service and impact.