South Africa: Changing the World One Girl at a Time

Story 

“Before joining Sasopsbiz Foundation, I used to sit at home and think that I was not going to amount to anything. This was my reality in my neighborhood, and I was at peace with it. Nobody even took me seriously as I was a quiet person minding my business. Now you cannot hide me. I am in your face. I am changing the world. I thought I was ordinary, but I am extraordinary.” 

These powerful words from Nobuhle Khumalo, a peer educator from Dambuza Township in Pietermaritzburg, capture the essence of transformation. Her journey is a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the ripple effect of investing in women and girls. 

From Despondent to Determined 

Nobuhle’s life changed when she joined the Dambuza Peer Education Programme under Sasopsbiz Foundation. Before that, she felt invisible and hopeless. Her turning point came during an AHA! moment at a PGEEP session, where she saw young women, her age starting businesses and speaking confidently about progressive issues. Inspired, she entered a business pitching competition for the Hugs initiative. Although she didn’t win, the judges’ feedback affirmed her potential. That moment ignited a fire: “I am going to absorb every piece of information, every activity in this Programme,” she vowed. 

Building Skills, Building Confidence 

Since then, Nobuhle has immersed herself in every opportunity Sasopsbiz offers business management training, personal development boot camps, gender dialogues, financial literacy, and job readiness skills. Her favorite? Business empowerment. She registered her own company and started a small home garden using her resources, selling vegetables to sustain herself. Today, she is also an intern at the Department of Health, a role that further strengthens her commitment to community well-being. 

Leading Change Through Peer Education 

The Programme that truly shines a spotlight on Nobuhle’s leadership is peer education. She leads a vibrant group of ten young women who meet twice a month to share knowledge and motivate each other. Their sessions cover critical topics like health, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence (GBV), entrepreneurship, and job readiness. Together, they even launched a group tuck shop with just R200 meant for refreshments a small start with big dreams. 

Nobuhle’s passion goes beyond meetings. She invests her own stipend to support these young women, proving that leadership is about planting seeds in others. Her confidence has soared; she now addresses public gatherings and mobilizes her community for events like the recent Gender Dialogue in Dambuza. “My community is my passion, and Sasopsbiz is my inspiration,” she says proudly. 

Recognition and Impact 

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recently, Nobuhle was nominated for the Women-led Initiative Award by the Dambuza/Machisa Ward 21 Office of the Councilor the only nominee in her category. This recognition validates her tireless work and the transformative power of grassroots initiatives. 

Why Her Story Matters 

Nobuhle’s journey reflects the broader mission of Gender Links and its partners: to empower women and girls as drivers of change. Her story is about more than personal success; it’s about creating a ripple effect in communities where hope is scarce. Through education, entrepreneurship, and solidarity, Nobuhle and her peers are rewriting narratives for one girl at a time. 

Themes Highlighted 

• Gender Equality & GBV: Tackling harmful norms and empowering women.
• Health & HIV/AIDS: Promoting awareness and prevention.
• Entrepreneurship & Education: Building skills for economic independence.
• Drivers of Change: Inspiring leadership and community mobilization. 

Closing Thought 

From a quiet young woman who felt invisible to a confident leader changing lives, Nobuhle embodies the spirit of transformation. Her story reminds us that when women rise, communities thrive. And when communities thrive, the world changes one girl at a time. 

 By Nobuhle Khumalo, Pietermaritzburg