Steven Fannie Mollo, 35, makes parents, schools and communities collaborate to support learning. As network mobiliser for the Parent Power initiative at the DG Murray Trust (DGMT), he leads a national network of 294 parent champions across 75 schools in nine prov- inces — designing workshops, building engagement frameworks, and facilitating dialogues. Through Izwi Lakho Connect, a co-creation platform, parents, teachers and community leaders come together to solve real chal- lenges — fostering shared ownership of learner success. A 2023 DGMT Innovation Fellow and YALI alumnus, Steven holds qualifications in public administration, learning facilita- tion and project management. He developed the 12-month Parent Champions Programme and the School-Parents Partnership Guide, which have reached 2 000 families — laying the groundwork for sustained collaboration in education. Steven volunteers with the Tshikazi Foundation, championing STEAM-based early learning and environmental literacy in underserved communities. Guided by lived experience and the power of mentorship, Steven shows that edu- cation is strongest when it begins with listening, and is sustained by collective action.
One person I deeply admire is Adam Bredlow, my former manager at Equal Education when I joined as a volunteer facilitator in 2014. At a time when I was uncertain about my path, Adam saw something in me that I had not yet recognised in myself. He did not just give me tasks; he trusted me with real responsibility, created space for me to grow and walked alongside me with encouragement and patience. His mentorship taught me the value of investing in people’s potential, even before they see it themselves. That lesson continues to shape how I work with Parent Champions and communities today. I am also inspired by the parents I first worked with in Thembisa at Equal Education, many of whom had no formal education but showed up with passion, honesty and an eagerness to be part of their children’s educational journey. One mother, who could not read or write, attended every meeting and asked how she could help her child succeed. That kind of commitment moved me deeply. These mentors, both formal and informal, taught me that leadership is about belief, humility and walking with people, not ahead of them. Their influence continues to guide my approach to community engagement and social change.