Ntombezintle Raziya

Ntombezintle Raziya’s journey from Mthatha to the boardrooms of pan-African strategy is rooted in purpose, empathy and innovation. As colleague engagement and social impact response manager at Absa Group, she leads volunteering and entrepreneurship initiatives that span multiple African markets. Her work centres on financial inclusion, youth empowerment and creating a scalable impact that bridges corporate responsibility with grassroots development. Ntombezintle, 34, designed Absa’s pan-African volunteering strategy, aligning employees to community development efforts. She also led a national entrepreneurship roadshow, culminating in Youth Entrepreneurship Week, and curated Absa’s global debut at the One Young World Summit. Ntombezintle is the founder of Igniting Humanity, a social enterprise that was born after she participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the US. Since 2016, the foundation has invested over R30 million in youth development, creating employment pathways for more than 300 young people with a focus on the green economy and innovation. “True leadership,” she says, “is about building spaces where others feel seen, heard and included.

• Master’s degree in Inclusive Innovation, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business – focusing on enterprise development solutions to complex social challenges
• Honours degree in Development Studies, University of South Africa
• Diploma in Social Innovation, Swedish Institute – through the Transforming Change programme

• Founded Igniting Humanity, a social enterprise that has invested more than R30 million in development programmes and created employment pathways for over 300 youth, many from rural and underserved communities
• As Pan-African Volunteering Lead, designed and scaled a colleague volunteering strategy across multiple African markets
• Led a national entrepreneurship roadshow, reaching youth in all nine provinces of South Africa. The campaign culminated in Youth Entrepreneurship Week
• Curated Absa’s presence at the One Young World Summit, launching the organisation’s first Interactive Stage to showcase its commitment to financial inclusion through entrepreneurship
• Selected as a Leading for Humanity Fellow by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation 

I draw deep inspiration from my grandparents, who built a transport business in the former Transkei during incredibly difficult times. Their entrepreneurial spirit was matched by a strong sense of social responsibility — they didn’t just run a business, they transformed lives in their community. Their story instilled in me the belief that business can be a force for good and left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire my work in inclusive development and youth empowerment. I also look up to Steve Biko, whose philosophy of Black Consciousness shaped my early thinking around identity, justice and what it means to be a conscious leader. His teachings challenged me to lead with purpose, to question systems and to build with the intention of liberation and dignity for others. Another role model I deeply admire is Mam Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, a fearless, principled leader who stood firm in the face of oppression. Her resilience, courage and unshakeable commitment to justice, especially for women and the marginalised, have been a guiding light in how I approach leadership in complex environments. These individuals taught me that true leadership is rooted in service, legacy and fearlessness, and that impact is not only measured by success but by how many people rise with you.