GL@25: Sterkspruit daughter rises from pain to power

A daughter of Sterkspruit is making waves in the fight for social justice and gender equality.

Zintle Khobeni ka-Pheza, Founder and Director of The Great People of South Africa (TGPSA), is a force to be reckoned with.

Born and raised in rural Ndofela Village, Khobeni’s early life was shaped by poverty, unemployment, and limited access to public services.

But these challenges only fueled her determination to create change.

As a survivor of gender-based violence, Khobeni turned her pain into purpose, dedicating her life to advocating for justice and dignity for all.

Through TGPSA, she leads programmes that support vulnerable communities, providing access to legal information, advocacy platforms, and community-based justice initiatives.

Her work has reached thousands, and her impact is being felt across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

According to Khobeni, her focus areas include ending gender-based violence and femicide, expanding access to justice, and promoting youth leadership and civic participation.

She’s also passionate about human rights education, constitutional awareness, and sexual and reproductive health rights for women and girls.

Her leadership has earned her recognition, including the Driver of Change Award and Storytelling for Change Award.

“I am a fellow of the Women of the South Speak Out Fellowship and a member of the Pan African Youth Parliament. I am also the CEO of Dulaza Brands & Media, a social impact company that amplifies voices from underserved communities,” she said.

She said her advocacy work has gained national and international media attention, including features in documentaries and media platforms like ENCA, Newsroom Afrika, and Forbes Africa News.

She’s a widely read blogger and public commentator on social justice issues, writing about feminism, climate justice, and human rights.

“I will continue to be a voice for the voiceless. My vision is to build safer communities, strengthen access to justice, and empower young people to lead social change,” she said.

(First published on Komani News and written by Tembile Sgqolana, an award winning freelance journalist and photojournalist whose work has been published in Health-e-news and Daily Sun.)