Africa-Press – Eswatini. Mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping future leaders, building confidence, and opening doors to global opportunities.
This was a message highlighted by Simiso Shabangu on August 12,2025 during the International Youth Commemoration Day 2025 at Sifundzani High School.
She spoke under the event’s theme, “Bridging the Gap,” reflecting on how mentorship at various stages of her life from teachers to friends transformed her path
Shabangu, a former student of Sifundzani High School, holds an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, a BA Honours in Business Management from the African Leadership University, and has seven years of industry experience.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if people around me hadn’t seen my potential, even when I couldn’t see it myself,” Shabangu said.
One defining moment came in 2014 when her coach, Ms. Mbingwa, recommended her for a scholarship at the African Leadership University. “She told me, ‘I think you’re the perfect candidate.’ To this day, I wonder what would have happened if she hadn’t recognized my hard work,” Shabangu recalled. That recommendation eventually led her to study in nearly 20 countries and, ultimately, at Cambridge University.
Shabangu, who now mentors young leaders through programs like the Yale Young African Scholars Programme and the Cambridge University African Students Mentorship Programme, encouraged students to value their relationships with teachers and peers. “Mentors are star polishers—they bring out your shine,” she said.
Entrepreneur Msutfu Nkambule, owner of Besutfu Beef, echoed these sentiments, urging male students to view their male teachers as mentors and life guides rather than just instructors.
“Most of your time is spent with your teachers they are mentors, not just instructors,” Nkambule said. He shared how his rugby coach imparted life skills that continue to influence him. “We are still in contact, and I’m grateful for those foundations,” he added.
Nkambule also warned students to be mindful of their social media presence, describing it as a “curriculum vitae of character.” “Employers often judge candidates based on their online profiles. Be careful what you post. One day, it could determine your chance at an interview,” he advised.
Shabangu further stressed that success rarely comes quickly or easily. After graduating with a first-class degree, she endured years of rejection before gaining admission to Cambridge. “I leaned on mentors and friends who refused to let me give up,” she said. “Mentorship is not just advice it’s people who believe in you when you doubt yourself.”
Today, Shabangu dedicates herself to mentoring other young Africans striving for success. Her message was clear: seek out mentors, nurture those relationships, and remember that excellence is achieved through steady effort, not competition.
During a live screening, Prudence Ngwenya, Director of the World Global Youth Day (WGYD), emphasized that bridging gaps requires more than intelligence it demands mindset and action. “It’s not about waiting for perfect conditions; it’s about creating them,” she said.
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