UJ Alumni Impumelelo Magazine Edition 9

MR KULANI SIWEYA Chief economist, Agri SA

Kulani Siweya was astonished when he, as a young black man, became one of the leading voices in agriculture. “When you consider our historic dispensation and the factors of the sector, being invited to speak to and for the sector has really blown my mind, many times,” he says. Siweya is the chief economist at Agri SA, the country’s biggest federation of agricultural organisations. Its work includes advocating for better policies around land and the environment, and promoting the development, profitability, and sustainability of agriculture. Boitumelo Kuzwayo is driven by a need to honour human dignity by helping to bridge the gap of inequality in education. She is a qualified chartered accountant with a master’s in international accounting. In her role as deputy head of the teaching and learning department at the University of Johannesburg, she ensures that the learning material at the institution is up to standard, year after year. And as a senior lecturer, she sees to its implementation. Kuzwayo has also been a project coordinator for a bursary and academic support programme Shadrack Mlambo is the founder of a non-profit organisation called Project 2030. Driven by the desire to change the lives of young boys and girls in rural areas, Mlambo’s goal is “to see a South Africa characterised by equal access to opportunities”. The core mandate of Project 2030 is to produce 10 lawyers,

His proudest moment was being invited to parliament to comment on policy dynamics that impact the sector. “I have always been passionate about policy work, and to make submissions to the lawmakers remains fulfilling,” he says. “Making a difference to the state of affairs in the country drives me to be at the centre of changing things for the best.” “The ebbs and flows of life are what makes the rhythm that you need to dance to.”

BCom Honours Economics & Econometrics, 2015

MS BOITUMELO KUZWAYO Senior lecturer and deputy head of department at the University of Johannesburg

that caters to approximately 400 students, providing disenfranchised students with tools and access to quality education. This includes additional lectures, mentorship, soft skills training and financial assistance to students who are at risk of not completing their qualifications. “I believe self-worth, dignity and knowledge are very important. I love to see people build themselves through education and the appropriate skill set development,” she says. MCom International Accounting, 2022

MR SHADRACK MLAMBO Founder and board member, Project 2030

tertiary education.

In 2021 the organisation managed a 100% matric pass rate and sent eight out of 10 learners to universities. “My work seeks to change the shape of my rural town, then Limpopo province, then eventually South Africa and, potentially, the entire African continent,” says Mlambo. “I wish to see a world where young rural boys and girls have access to opportunities that can change their lives.” BA Politics, 2014, BA Hons Public Management and Governance, 2015

accountants, doctors, and engineers in and around the

small rural town of Burgersfort in Limpopo. Every year, high school learners from these communities are selected for the high school programme. They are provided with tutoring, career guidance and financial support in applying for

ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 66

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online