Thandazile Mbeje, founder of the Thanda Mbeje Foundation and KwaMandlovu Organic Vegetables Farming Pty Ltd, was named a winner in the Woman in Community category at the Women of Stature Awards.
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Thandazile Mbeje, a KwaZulu-Natal educator, farmer, author and life coach has been recognised on a national stage for her commitment to uplifting communities and driving social change.
Mbeje, founder of the Thanda Mbeje Foundation and KwaMandlovu Organic Vegetables Farming Pty Ltd, won the Woman in Community category at the Women of Stature Awards.
Mbeje, who hails from Nagina, west of Durban, received the accolade during a gala ceremony held in Johannesburg on Saturday. Now in its 11th year, the awards celebrate female excellence, recognising leaders, innovators and changemakers across multiple sectors.
The ceremony featured 14 categories, including CEO of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Woman in Technology, and Woman in Education and Training. Among the top winners were Janice Wagner, who was named CEO of the Year, and Taryn Hunter Sharman, who took home the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Mbeje described the recognition as both humbling and deeply emotional.
"It is not just about the title, but about the journey, the sleepless nights, the challenges, and the passion to uplift others.
"I feel proud, grateful, and inspired. Proud of how far I’ve come, grateful for everyone who believed in me, supported me, and walked this journey with me, and inspired to continue doing more for my community. This award is not mine alone. It belongs to every young person we’ve impacted, every life we’ve touched, and every person who continues to believe in making a difference," she said.
Thandazile Mbeje's Women of Stature Award.
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Mbeje is also the principal at Ekukhoseleni Primary School in Mariannhill.
A life-altering incident in 2019, when she survived a brutal hijacking at gunpoint, became a turning point that reshaped her path.
The traumatic experience prompted her to pursue writing, sharing her story through her books At Gunpoint: My Dream Was Conceived and Take It from a Woman, which focus on overcoming adversity and inspiring resilience.
"As a life coach, I help individuals unlock their potential and live authentically. While recovering at home after my attack I started farming on the family farm in Richmond. KwaMandlovu Organic Vegetables Farming Pty Ltd was founded, which now employs 20 people and supplies vegetables to various stores.
"My farming venture reflects my passion for sustainability, economic growth, alleviating poverty, and job creation for South African citizens, while my foundation empowers sexually molested disadvantaged boys and teenagers of colour to nurture future leaders," said Mbeje.
She said experiencing the hardships of being born out of wedlock and growing up as a person of colour in South Africa shaped her into the strong person she is today.
"I understand what can lead a human to behave like an animal and, for example, hit a person who is not physically capable of defending themselves. By understanding that I do not condone that behavior nor do I excuse it," she said.
The Thanda Mbeje Foundation was founded in 2021, focusing on youth empowerment, particularly supporting vulnerable boys and young men.
She said during the promotion of her book she received calls and messages from men who heard about how angry she was with men.
"These were men crying for help as they had been abused and violated. We as a foundation do not believe that a person can be born an abuser hence our approach was different. We decided to focus on the human being who is labeled as abusers and we want society to be more caring towards our boys and young men.
"They will grow into men and we do not wish for them to be the men that we see abusing our women and children. Thanda Mbeje Foundation is passionate about youth and community development in general," she said.
Mbeje has received several accolades for her work in both education and agriculture, cementing her reputation as a leader dedicated to empowerment, sustainability and social impact.