Tebello Mosese believes making a difference has always been more than a dream.

It is a lifelong calling that she has often tried to walk away from, only to find herself drawn back to it. Born and raised in Lesotho, Mosese later moved to Bloemfontein, where her passion for serving others continued to grow.

The 50-year-old Carlswald resident said that, from a young age, she developed a strong sense of independence, as well as knowing what the next step in life would be.

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After losing her father during her matric year, she was forced to think about her future, and find a way to support herself. This led her to establish her own salon and boutique business, Lady T Exclusive Boutique. This experience proved to her that she could do anything she put her mind to.

Later, she ventured into the corporate world, although she admits that chapter of her life did not unfold as she had hoped. Her passion and resilience eventually led to the establishment of the Phethahatso Foundation in 2016, a non-profit organisation committed to uplifting communities and strengthening families through outreach programmes and meaningful dialogue.

Mosese said the inspiration behind the foundation came from an incident involving her son while he was at school. She explained that after her son’s school bag was stolen, she went to the school to confront the boys who were suspected of taking it. “When I got to the school and started speaking to these boys, learning their home situations, I knew that something needed to be done. I felt so sad, like I didn’t just come to the school to get my son’s school bag.”

That encounter became a turning point in her life. Rather than focusing only on recovering the bag, Mosese began to understand the circumstances many young people faced, and felt compelled to become part of the solution.

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Over the past decade, the foundation has become a platform for hope, focusing on empowering women, supporting young people, and addressing challenges affecting families.

One of its most recognised initiatives is the Moms and Sons Dialogue, launched in 2025, to create a safe space for mothers and sons to communicate openly, strengthen their relationships, and tackle issues affecting the boy child.

The foundation also hosts its annual Sneak a pair, where they do a sneaker drive to donate to those in need.

Mosese believes that lasting change begins by investing in people and creating opportunities for honest conversations. Through workshops, community events, and mentorship programmes, she has worked tirelessly to encourage families to build healthier relationships, while inspiring individuals to reach their full potential.

Her commitment to empowerment extends beyond community work. In November 2025, Mosese added author to her list of achievements, with the release of her book, The Image of God.

The book reflects her faith, personal experiences, and desire to encourage readers to recognise their worth, purpose, and identity.

“You know, when I wrote that book, I had just come out the darkest situation in my life. At that time, as a 40-year-old woman, I had tried it all but failed.

I didn’t know what to do anymore, forgetting that God had another plan for me which I had been ignoring.

“After countless bible study sessions I had with some ladies and my pastor, it’s like something came to me and told me what to write, word for word, and, of course, there are things I had to do research on.”

Mosese added that when publishing the book, she still faced some challenges, but that did not stop her from making sure she saw her book finished.

Whether she is organising community initiatives, speaking at events, or writing to inspire others, Mosese remains focused on one goal: To help people discover hope and become the best versions of themselves.
The humanitarian remains compassionate, resilient, and deeply committed to serving others.

Her leadership has not only helped grow the Phethahatso Foundation; it has encouraged many people to become active participants in improving their own communities.

Looking ahead, Mosese hopes to expand the reach of the foundation and introduce more programmes that address social challenges, while empowering families and young people in the community of Midrand.

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