Atlehang Nkotha, a young and ambitious leader from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, has dedicated her life to empowering women and girls through education. Growing up, Nkotha had aspirations of pursuing various careers, but it wasn't until her final year at university that she discovered her true passion for business management and entrepreneurship. Her journey began with selling products, which revealed her natural aptitude for entrepreneurship.
Nkotha's educational background played a significant role in shaping her career. She holds a BCom in Economics and international trade, cum laude, a BComHons in business management, and an MCom in business management, cum laude, from Nelson Mandela University. Her academic achievements earned her the Chancellor Award for Best Masters by Research at the Gradstar Awards Top 100. These accomplishments laid the foundation for her future endeavors.
As the founder of Educate Women Africa, a youth-led organisation, Nkotha leads a team focused on empowering women and girls through education. Her work involves briefing her team, reviewing and approving work, meeting potential partners, and translating ideas into action. Nkotha's favorite part of her job is developing an idea and watching it unfold into something meaningful. This has led to the creation of various programs, including They Deserve Education and the Young Lioness Fellowship.
The Young Lioness Fellowship holds a special place in Nkotha's heart, as it supports girls during a critical stage of their lives, nurturing leadership, entrepreneurship, personal development, and ambition. The program connects them with opportunities, and Nkotha is motivated by the positive impact it has on the girls' lives. She recalls hearing from teachers that girls in the fellowship have shown academic improvement and have been selected as prefects, which reminds her why the work matters.
Educate Women Africa has expanded its reach with various initiatives, including the Early Birds Tournament and the Cultivating the Lioness Summit, which was hosted for the first time in 2026. Nkotha's work is driven by her passion for collaboration and problem-solving. She enjoys working alongside young people who can identify problems and work together to solve them.
Nkotha's journey has taught her valuable lessons about flexibility, adaptability, urgency, and integrity. She believes in creating an environment where people can thrive and strives to be a safe woman leader. A piece of advice from a university cashier has stuck with her: "Do your best and God will do the rest." This mantra guides her approach to life and work.
Outside of work, Nkotha values family time, playing with her nephews and niece, and dancing. She describes herself as joyful and a nurturer. As she looks back on her journey, Nkotha would tell her younger self to be unapologetic about being bold, talented, and capable in many things. Her story serves as an inspiration to young women and girls, showing them that with determination and hard work, they can achieve their goals.
Key points
- Atlehang Nkotha's work with Educate Women Africa focuses on empowering women and girls through education, with programs such as the Young Lioness Fellowship and the Cultivating the Lioness Summit.
- Nkotha's educational background includes degrees from Nelson Mandela University, and she has received awards for her academic achievements.
- Her approach to leadership emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, urgency, and integrity, and she strives to create an environment where people can thrive.
