Khuselwa Mxatule, Assistant Director for Impact & Learning at the Trevor Noah Foundation, has had a career marked by discovery and pivots. Born in Indwe and raised in Port Elizabeth as the second of seven children, Mxatule's early life was shaped by her desire to escape poverty. Her journey to her current role began at Walmer High School, where she excelled in maths and science, catching the attention of her science teacher, Mr Langeveldt.
In 2005, Langeveldt selected Mxatule to attend a science winter school at what was then Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, opening her eyes to possibilities beyond matric. She was subsequently offered a bursary to study mechanical engineering, which she initially accepted. However, after failing her first semester, Mxatule's principal, Lunga Dyani, helped her explore alternative opportunities, leading to a scholarship for choir members that allowed her to change direction and study psychology instead.
Development programmes played a significant role in Mxatule's life since high school, influencing her decision to move into youth development and education after her first degree. Her career has been a series of calculated steps, leading to a master's in monitoring and evaluation and a role as Merl manager at the Global Campaign for Education. These experiences ultimately prepared her for her current position at the Trevor Noah Foundation.
At the Trevor Noah Foundation, Mxatule is responsible for setting up and overseeing systems that guide impact management, strategic planning, and operational alignment. When the organisation evolved into a grant-making organisation, she established an impact management strategy, systems, and tools to reflect this change and guided teams in implementing them. Her role involves leading people across several departments and ensuring that the organisation's work has a tangible impact.
Mxatule values seeing the difference her work makes to learners, educators, schools, and partner organisations. She takes pride in investing her skills in work that helped shape her journey, highlighting the importance of dedication and effort in one's career. Her advice to young women beginning their careers is to focus on the present moment, even if the future is uncertain.
Outside of work, Mxatule enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, whether hiking or simply appreciating nature. She also unwinds by binge-watching light-hearted series, finding balance in her personal life. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability in shaping a successful career.
As Mxatule continues in her role at the Trevor Noah Foundation, her focus remains on driving impact and learning. Her story serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that it's possible to navigate a fulfilling career path, even when the journey is not immediately clear. With her guidance, the foundation is well-equipped to make a meaningful difference in the lives of learners and educators.
Key points
- Mxatule's career has been marked by discovery and pivots, leading to her current role at the Trevor Noah Foundation.
- She established an impact management strategy, systems, and tools when the organisation evolved into a grant-making organisation.
- Mxatule advises young women to focus on the present moment and dedicate effort to their careers, even if the future is uncertain.
