Municipal Oversight & Accountability Programme: Gqeberha

1, 2, 3 October 2025

Sikelelwa Gomba

Sikelelwa Gomba is a principled and driven final-year LLB candidate at IIE Varsity College, Nelson Mandela Bay. She has been inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society. Her leadership journey reflects her commitment to ethical governance and community service, having been elected twice as Student Representative Council President and serving as a member of the Institutional Student Council and the Faculty Academic Forum. Sikelelwa’s participation in high-level platforms such as the 4th BRICS Summer School Youth Association and the South African Institute of International Affairs Youth Policy Committee demonstrates her ability to engage with national and global policy issues. Professionally, she has gained hands-on experience through vacation work at Pagdens, Greyvensteins, and Joubert Galpin Searle, alongside virtual training with Bowmans and Baker McKenzie. These experiences have developed her expertise in litigation, commercial law, and corporate matters. Passionate about transformative leadership, accountability, and access to justice, Sikelelwa continues to champion initiatives that amplify student voices and strengthen governance systems. She is dedicated to pursuing a career in commercial and insolvency law while contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s legal and democratic landscape.

Jerevithea Jerry

I am a 18-year-old who matriculated in 2024 with a bachelor’s pass from Andrew Rabie High School. I am a diploma holder of the ATKV. I am a firm believer that issues such as pollution and sewage are something we as individuals should take the responsibility of ensuring that the problems are fixed. I was always part of the poster and awareness committee in church, speaking to our members on how we should make a change so that the environment can be sustainable for our future. My passion for greater involvement and bettering my understanding of these issues led me to volunteer myself and take pride in wanting to go further into South Africa’s political landscape. I am eager to learn from multiple individual perspectives and sharing my thoughts and experiences with others.

Babalo Leeuw

I live life on my own terms, fuelled by a passion for growth and learning. My days are filled with purpose, as I tackle challenges head-on and pursue my dreams with determination. I’m guided by a simple yet profound mantra: “Simplicity is the key to greatness.” I believe in embracing life’s complexities with courage and curiosity, and I’m committed to forging my own path. I’m not one for fanfare or unnecessary drama. I move through life with a sense of calm and confidence, unwavering in my commitment to my goals. My journey is one of resilience, and I’m proud to say that I’ve learned to navigate life’s ups and downs with ease. As I continue to write my own narrative, I hope to inspire others to do the same. I believe that living intentionally is the key to true fulfilment, and I’m excited to see where life takes me next. One day at a time, I’m chasing my dreams and living life authentically.

Lehlohonolo Mokorotlo

I am a Human Settlements student at Nelson Mandela University, passionate about contributing to sustainable development and community upliftment. I aspire to serve people with the quality and dignity they deserve, working towards building strong, inclusive communities through good governance and quality service delivery.

Anelisa Matebese

Anelisa Matebese is the Founder and COO of the SHYTUP Foundation, a youth-led nonprofit tackling teenage pregnancy through projects in awareness raising, skills development, support groups, reproductive health, and food security. Her journey began as a loveLife GBV Groundbreaker, later serving as a media intern and executive office assistant at loveLife’s national office. She is a YALI Civic Leadership graduate, where she was elected class representative, and has been recognised as one of Inside Education’s 100 Shining Stars for Civil Society and Youth Activism, as well as Herald Citizen of the Year in the GBV category. Under her leadership, SHYTUP has launched impactful school campaigns, youth mentorship and reproductive health programmes, and sustainable food security initiatives that empower unemployed youth. She is committed to building resilient communities, advancing social change, and amplifying the voices of young people across South Africa.

Okuhle Mbuyisa

Okuhle Mbuyisa is a Bachelor of Arts (Media Communication and Culture) student at Nelson Mandela University and the current chairperson of the Student Woman Economic Empowerment Programme. She is passionate about the power of media to shape narrative and influence social change. She uses her academic platforms to explore the intersection of gender, culture and communication. Through her leadership in the SWEEP structure, she actively advocate for the economic inclusion of young woman leading initiative that promotes financially literacy, entrepreneurship, professional development. Okuhle is committed to creating spaces where a woman can thrive, both within the university and in broader society. She believes in transformative leadership rooted in empathy, collaboration, and action. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, empowerment, and the remaining South Africa’s future through youth driven change.

Ntsikohlanga Azania Mzananda

I’m a youth cctivist born and bred in Gqeberha. I am the Co-Founder of the African Minds for Applied Research Institute, a first of its kind youth-led African think tank. I lead the Socio-Economic Development, Youth Policy Committee at Youth@SAIIA, which includes 350+ young policymakers. I’m also the national organiser for Project YouthSA. My policy interests are based on employment, poverty, gbvf, and governance. AMARI is actually currently working on a white paper Research project with another prominent research institution in South Africa. So this is an opportunity for me to expand on my knowledge prior to our launch of that project in January.

Bonganjalo Benson Nyamakazi

Bonganjalo Benson Nyamakazi, 35, is a dedicated professional from Alice, Eastern Cape, with a strong passion for community upliftment and rural development. He is currently serving as an intern at the University of Fort Hare within the Postal Service, Registry, and Student Records division, where he contributes to efficient institutional support and service delivery. Bonganjalo’s career journey reflects a deep commitment to public service and community well-being. He previously worked at War Memorial Clinic in Alice, where he gained valuable experience in frontline service and community health support. His academic path began at Nelson Mandela University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Administration degree, followed by a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Administration and Management. Driven by his vision for youth empowerment, agricultural development, and improved service delivery in rural areas, Bonganjalo is further advancing his expertise through a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management (Coursework and Research) at Nelson Mandela University. With a strong foundation in public administration and hands-on community service, Bonganjalo aspires to contribute meaningfully to policy development, effective governance, and sustainable rural transformation in South Africa.

Masixole Ntunguntwana

Masixole Ntunguntwana is a South African citizen, a grassroots development activist, an agent of social change, an environmentalist, an advocate of human rights, and an educator. He is currently serving as the vice chairman of the board members of Kwazakhele Development Agency (KDA) NPC. He has worked at Nelson Mandela University Department of Development Studies as a research assistant and as a senior research assistant, supervising a team of eight research assistants, administering the post-elections survey, and worked on other research projects at the university. Previously I served as a board member of the School of Excellence for Leadership (SOEL). I also worked for Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in supply chain management as a compliance officer, as well as a stakeholder relations associate for Nelson Mandela Bay.

Asange Nyati

Asange Nyati is a final-year Bachelor of Social Work student at Nelson Mandela University passionate about social justice, youth empowerment, and gender equality. She is completing her practical training at Siyaya Skills Institute, where she facilitates group programmes and provides counselling support to learners. Asange is also a campus ambassador for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on inequality, and a student at the Fort Hare Activist School, where she engages in leadership and advocacy training. Her activism is rooted in community development, including organising awareness campaigns on substance abuse and resilience among youth. She has volunteered with Love Life and strengthened her communication skills through modelling and customer service roles. Long-term, she aims to establish an NGO addressing youth unemployment, addiction, and children’s welfare, while shaping inclusive policy reform in South Africa.

Ntombiyakhe Sitshikiza

I am a good person who’s talkative and friendly to others more especially when we are communicating. I’m attending workshop on Tuesdays at Ubomi Obutsha Community Centre it’s where we are learning about the community services the problems that the community is going through with such as drug abuse, unemployment, and gender based violence. We sit down and discuss as groups what good plans must we take as a community to decrease the number of these issues, and we bring all of them to the table and share. I’m passionate on cooking and hospitality, and I would like to go far with my passion like to have my own place where I will sell food and also do the catering to my community.

Chonga Toyi

I am Chonga Ntsika Alizwa Toyi, a 22-year-old civil engineering student at PE College – Qhayiya Campus. Born and raised in Gqeberha. I am the proud founder and CEO of Eluthulini Industries (Pty) Ltd, a shuttle service for students and staff operating for over a year ensuring that students are at school and staff at work on time. I am the Eastern Cape provincial convener of Project YouthSA, with the duty to uplift and empower the youth of South Africa in governance, voter literacy and climate change in the Eastern Cape. I am the co-founder and COO of #JusticePrevailSA, with the sole duty to make sure the programmes of the NPO are successful as we fight against GBVF. We have a strong determination for justice for the victims of these crimes.

Batandwa Yawa

Batandwa Yawa is a Chairperson of Voice Movement Therapy Eastern Cape, born and raised in Port Elizabeth. I hold a Diploma in Public Management and Leadership from P.E College. I’m inclusive and supportive, actively committed to nurturing, expansion and dynamic growth in Oversight and Accountability.