As Women’s Month shines a spotlight on the strength and contribution of women, 20-year-old Tumelo Buthelezi is proving that age is no barrier to making a difference in the community.

The Dalpark Ext 6 resident is the founder and chairperson of the local non-profit organisation, The Bold and Brave Foundation.

Since its establishment, the foundation has been involved with community feeding schemes, anti-GBV initiatives, campaigns in which sanitary pads are collected and donated to young women and schoolgirls in need, as well as charity drives.

Tumelo told the Brakpan Herald she was inspired to start the foundation in an effort to make the community better.

“Growing up in Brakpan, I saw all the problems in the community. Unemployment, hunger, lack of hygiene and educational resources, and I knew that I had to be a part of the solution,” she said.

“A particular moment that inspired me was seeing teenage girls around me struggle to buy pads because of finances and not having anywhere to go to ask for help.

“I knew something had to be done from that point forward.”

As a woman leading a community-based organisation, she admits the journey has been tough.

“I often struggle with getting help from the community and not everyone will take a 20-year-old seriously, especially a girl, but I push regardless because I know what I want to do for my community and I’ll prosper regardless,” she said.

“Challenges that I’ve faced as a female leader are that no one ever assumes that I run this NPO and I run it with an all female team, so they always assume an older man will step in at some point and take over.

“I overcome these challenges by taking everything with grace and telling myself that I’m doing such a great job that people can’t believe it’s just a 20-year-old.”

Asked what Women’s Month means to her personally, Tumelo shared it is about acknowledging the privilege she has, not only as a woman, but as a black woman.

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“It’s having the privilege to do what I do for my community without any reservations and restrictions, and making a pathway for women in my community to do more and be more through the work that I do,” she said.

Tumelo is inspired by the women around her, particularly her mother, Constable Audrey Buthelezi from Brakpan SAPS, her grandmother Joyce Maleka and her aunt Pulana Ngoasheng.

“They are women who have always encouraged my way of thinking simply through their actions. Seeing and hearing them all my life growing up helped me realise that kindness truly does come easily with no explanation, and I don’t have to be scared to pursue a passion of mine without fear, only prayer,” she said.

Her message to young women who dream of making a difference in their communities is to just start.

“Whatever it is, just start. I promise you, more often than not, it will all fall into place. You just need to have the courage to start,” she said.

Tumelo believes women can play a role in driving positive change at grassroots level.

“Women can play an active role in the community as educators, especially in shaping the young minds of girls and boys. They also develop peace and health initiatives,” she said.

Her vision for the foundation is to build empowered, inclusive, and resilient communities where every individual has access to opportunities, support, and hope for a brighter future.

Community members can get involved by offering an extra hand whenever the foundation has community initiatives, or donate clothes and non-perishable food.

“Seeing the difference that our work makes in the community, knowing that there are people’s lives who have been bettered simply from our involvement. That keeps me going,” she said.

“The most rewarding experience has been the community knowing about us and offering their help and support. Knowing that our message is spreading and making a difference.”

Tumelo explained the foundation hopes to hold food and pad drives every month, so they can consistently provide for the community. She is hopeful sponsors will come their way.

“We are having a modelling contest in September to raise funds for the foundation to enable us to work more effectively in our community,” she said.

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Tickets will cost R50, while the modelling fee is R100. Food stalls will be available, and local food vendors and artists interested in joining the festivities are invited to contact Tumelo.

Looking ahead, Tumelo has a clear vision for where she wants to take the foundation over the next five to 10 years.

“I see us with community and youth centres all over the country, helping more people all around and providing resources to underprivileged schools,” she said.

Tumelo also hopes the foundation will leave a lasting legacy in the communities it serves.

“A legacy of effortless kindness. A legacy that just enables people to be more kind, giving and supportive to each other as a community without expecting any returns,” she said.

If she had unlimited resources at her disposal, Tumelo would love to build a community centre for trouble youth. For Tumelo, being “bold and brave” means to be kind without limitations simply because you can.

“To be brave without fear of restrictions. To be bold enough to do it all without hesitations,” she said.

Tumelo’s message to women this Women’s Month is, “True empowerment happens when we lift as we rise, supporting grassroots leaders, protecting one another, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

“Let’s spend this month not just celebrating progress, but actively building a safer, more equitable, and supportive country for every woman and girl.”