Mandisa Lisa Mtembu was born in 1989 in Vryheid and has built a career dedicated to protecting children and promoting mental well-being across Africa. Mandisa began her schooling career at Hlobane Primary in Vaalbank, and later attended New Republic School and Vryheid High School. After completing her B Psych Honours degree at Midrand Graduate Institute, she went on to gain extensive experience in education, while working in Johannesburg, Mauritius and Kenya. Mandisa is currently based in Johannesburg, where she works as a mental health practitioner and child protection specialist.

Mandisa and her sister, Xoliswa Mtembu, are also the founders of Safeguarding Africa, an organisation that partners with schools and institutions to strengthen safeguarding systems. Their work focuses on child protection, mental health and physical well-being, while also training staff and advocating for youth wellness.

Mandisa was the first school counsellor at the African Leadership Academy and later led wellness programmes at the African Leadership University. Her trauma-informed, collaborative approach has made her a respected voice in the sector.

In 2023, her leadership was further recognised when she was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, the flagship programme of the US government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The fellowship brings together promising leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa for intensive academic and leadership training in the United States.

Mandisa joined a cohort at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she spent six weeks engaging in academic coursework, site visits, cultural exchanges and leadership development. She later completed a Professional Development Experience with the City of Phoenix’s Housing Department, where she collaborated with American professionals to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities for US-Africa partnerships.

Reflecting on the experience, she describes the fellowship as ‘a transformative journey’ that sharpened her leadership skills, expanded her global network, and deepened her commitment to drive a positive impact in her community and across Africa.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.