From Cocoon to Confidence.

Agnes Chikukwa Hove is a purpose and faith-driven leader, Agribusiness Strategist, Leadership and Business Coach, published author, and passionate champion for the empowerment of girls and women across Africa. With over 30 years of executive experience, she has dedicated her life to helping women and young people discover their voice, strengthen their confidence, and step boldly into leadership.

An active facilitator for Girl Unlimited, Agnes has been mentoring young women since 2010, beginning during her time as Executive Director of a Youth Educational Development and Leadership Foundation. Since 2019, she has served as a Director at Youth For Christ South Africa, contributing to faith-based youth leadership and character development.

She is the Chief Executive of Kijani Blue Agribusiness, and a Director of the nonprofit AWiA- African Women in Agriculture, leading youth- and women-focused programmes in regenerative agriculture and agripreneurship that create real economic pathways for women. Through structured mentorship, skills development, and market-linked initiatives, she helps women move from limitation to sustainable opportunity.

Agnes believes that when a girl understands her worth, anchors herself in faith, and is given the right support, she becomes unstoppable, not only transforming her own life, but becoming a light for others.

Dr Lisa Mulenga is a medical doctor and a dedicated public health specialist. She is deeply passionate about addressing HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights, with a particular focus on empowering young women who disproportionately face the challenges of the HIV epidemic and teenage pregnancy in South Africa. Through her mentorship, she inspires adolescent girls to cherish their bodies and make informed and empowered decisions about their health and future.

Dr Mulenga is a public health professional with more than 20 years of combined experience in health systems programming, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in the public and private sectors and international NGO settings and at community, sub-national, national, and international levels. She has experience in supporting government departments and organisations to strengthen policy development and strategic planning for the implementation of health systems strengthening interventions, including evaluation of policy impact, collecting and using intelligence to guide policy, strategy and programme design, and heightening ethical and good governance practices.

Dr Mulenga holds an MBChB in Human Medicine from Humboldt University, Germany, a Diploma in Community Health and Tropical Medicine from the University of Heidelburg, Germany, a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Higher Certificate in Health Management from the Foundation for Professional Development and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria.

Jefferson Mutasa is a tutor specialising in Mathematics and Science subjects.

He holds an engineering background and is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering (MEng) at the University of Cape Town. He is a Structural Engineer and has experience in the design and analysis of infrastructure and is passionate about helping learners build strong problem-solving skills and confidence in STEM.

Jefferson is committed to creating an engaging learning environment and empowering young people to pursue careers in science and engineering.

Candy S. Kasonkomona is a GOD-fearing leader whose greatest joy is empowering young girls and women to rise above limitations and step boldly into their futures. She brings over two decades of multifaceted experience in Sales, Marketing, Travel, Tourism and Aviation. She’s been recognised as one of the Top 30 Most Influential Women in African Tourism and Hospitality 2026, ranked #19 by the PYNE Awards Africa.

Being part of GirlUnlimited has been one of the most fulfilling journeys for me. Watching young girls grow from doubting whether they belong in certain spaces to confidently walking into university and college environments with purpose and belief in themselves has been incredibly rewarding.

What I love most is having honest, real conversations with these girls — the kind many may not feel comfortable having elsewhere. I believe mentorship should go beyond motivation; it should prepare girls for the realities of life and womanhood. Through GirlUnlimited, I speak openly about topics such as confidence, self-worth, social media dangers, peer pressure, relationships, etiquette, hygiene, time management and the importance of carrying yourself with dignity while remaining true to who you are.

For me, it’s not about creating perfect young women — it’s about helping them become confident, grounded, self-aware, and courageous enough to own their voice and future without compromising themselves.

Seeing the transformation in these girls continues to remind me that we all have a responsibility to pour into the next generation using the gifts, experiences, and wisdom we’ve been blessed with. That, to me, is how true legacy is built — by empowering others to rise and do the same for those who come after them.

Palesa Nhlengethwa is a South African and Daughter of the Highest God. She's from the city of Ekurhuleni, Kwa-Thema, Springs. The second born of father and last of her mothers.

Palesa comes from a multi-talented family background (maternal and paternal side) and carries richly inherited knowledge, skills and creativity in both the arts, sport and corporate fields. She is a graduate from the University of Witwatersrand obtained her Advanced Diploma in PGDA (2020), BA Honors and currently furthering her studies in her MA Applied Drama and Theatre In Education, Communities and Social Contexts.

Palesa's passion in the arts has led her to claiming a center stage and contributing to the film, television and theatre areas. She is currently well-recognized and appreciated for venturing into other avenues of her passion through education, community-based work and facilitation skills in various organizations, educational settings and corporate projects.

Palesa's best interest is working with youth individuals and has greatly achieved gracefully in her vision of engaging in creative workshops and collaborating with organizations to empower, recreate and negotiate transformational aspects of individuals' lives through arts. Palesa states boldly that; "I am not GOD, nor play the role of being God, but a chosen ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ who steps into the lands I've been called into and serve my purpose for the children of the Almighty" (Matthew 19:14)

As a practicing applied drama and theatre practitioner my experiences in this field of work have further expanded my knowledge, provided a platform, and I've learned experience that challenged and deepened my understanding about the different techniques and creative methodologies that allow a diverse set of contexts which can contribute positive attitudes, self-awareness, new perspectives and possibly build relationships amongst our community and society at large. I feel the need to empower and intervene further in community spaces with the youth group who seem to be in limbo given the unfortunate experiences they may possibly be subjected to such as; gender based violence, mental health discomforts, teenage pregnancies and oppressive contexts at large.

I feel we all deserve a second chance in life hence the need for a role model that they can easily identify with and be able to neither vent nor engage to look at the endless possibilities they must forget forth in realizing their dream goals and learning about morals and life principles.

Being part of the GU organization and a facilitator I believe is contributing to most areas of opening a safe platform, allowing the girls re-examine, re-discover and explore themes that surround their everyday life challenges and equally influences them to come up with transformative ways and solutions to bring about change and operate from a central transformative principle and enabling them to undergo experimental learning that can possibly raise an awareness, interrogate human behaviors, attitudes and actions and a source of therapeutic process. And the girls to become the best version of whom God has destined them to be out there in the world.

Rise African Daughter of the Most High God, Rise!!!!!

Phumla Tricia Ntleko is a dedicated educator and community builder with a passion for youth development and holistic wellness.

A graduate in Adult Basic Education and Training from UNISA, she is also qualified in Facilitation and Assessor programs from REATS Academy. Currently a final-year B.Ed student majoring in Life Orientation (Psychology) and Languages for Senior and Further Education and Training.

Phumla brings over five years of experience as an Apprentice Teacher. She has hands-on expertise in learner profiling, counseling, career guidance, gender advocacy, nutrition, remedial work, social welfare, and screening.

As a Mental Health Care Support Worker, she champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by advocating for accessible mental health services for high school learners, students in higher education, and marginalized out-of-school youth.

I am dedicated to supporting and guiding young girls toward meaningful growth and opportunity.

My role focuses on facilitating development through education and safe empowering spaces.

Aligned with the mission of empowering through education, I am committed to helping girls unlock their potential, gain confidence, and access opportunities that shape their futures and impact their communities.

I am an Educational Psychologist currently in private practice, with experience across diverse settings including NPOs, mainstream schools, and special education schools.

My focus is on helping learners reach their full academic potential by identifying learning barriers, implementing targeted interventions, and fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

Nomalanga Sitole, is one Africa's finest storytellers and Communicator Extraordinaire. She is a rare combination of entrepreneur, Inspirational Speaker, Facilitator, MC, Program Director / Propeller, Voiceover-artist, Author and TV presenter with over 20 years of broadcasting, 15 years event management and marketing leadership and 3 years media and production experience.

A multi-award winning, expert facilitator with an exceptional work ethic, Nomalanga is able to bring dynamic energy, enthusiasm, capture hearts and engage minds to any event that she hosts. Notable events and conferences including face-to-face, online and hybrid that she has hosted include the following:

Caxton Magazine events, Mrs South Africa Top 100 Semi-Finals Conference 2016-2025, Lionesses of Africa Business Agility and Demo Days, Lioness Lean In Events (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique (2019-2025), Lionesses of Africa-The Business of Funding Podcast (2023/2024), Financial Services staff and client events (Nedbank, Liberty, Investec, ABSA, FNB, Hollard, Access Bank South Africa), NMISA Gala Dinners, ABSIP Women's Breakfast, AWIEF Women's events, Gauteng Provincial Legislature 5th and 6th Annual Vita Basadi Awards, Set up a Start Up Southern Africa and Africa Start-up Ecosystem Builders, Ace Models International Conferences, Pick n Pay In Retail Store Announcer, Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA-3 Day Hybrid Conference), South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners (SAIBPP) Gala Dinners, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Gala Awards, Brand SA Business Round Table and Dialogue Session (Accra, Ghana 2023), Success Mindset Summit Series (2023), Lionesses of Africa Start-Up Night Africa (The Hague, Netherlands 2023-2025), IITPSA President's Awards (2023/2025), Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders (South Africa 2022, Kenya 2023, Ethiopia 2025), BRICS Business Council and Brand SA Business Breakfast (Kenya 2024), Circular Energy Conference (2024-2025), AAXO Awards, MusicEx 2024, PSASA 3 Day Conference (2024), IoDSA Leaderex MC, CISA Awards and Gala Dinner Host, SAIA Awards 2024, IRMSA AI Event 2024; Red Rooster Vodacom LTE Activations 2025, Super Lead Leadership Excellence Awards 2025 In Partnership With GIBS University of Pretoria.

As a change agent, with an entrepreneurial spirit and a global perspective, she has carved out a corporate reputation as one of the best business-to-business Facilitators, MC, Program Director / Propeller and Voice Over Artist. Nomalanga has received several awards and accolades for her work: ZAA Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2015, Finalist - Margaret Hirsch's Women in Business 2017/18, Finalist and 2nd Runner Up Standard Bank Top Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2021, MentHer Top 20 Social Impact Founders List 2022, Identified as one of South Africa's Top Gender Empowered Companies by Standard Bank Top Women 2023, Finalist - Business Category - Africa Business Awards 2023. Achievement Alley Awards 2024 Finalist - Entrepreneurial Excellence Award and SMME Award.

Through her booklet (first released in 2018 at Teenagers Youth Leadership Program Bootcamp) entitled Be Authentic, Be Bold, Be You, Nomalanga has become a recognised voice of hope and inspiration, equipping young people to rise up into a fulfilling life through their faith, authenticity, confidence and self-worth. She believes every youth can be a world changer and history maker, simply by cultivating their gifts and talents.

Nomalanga continues to partner with like-minded organisations whose focus is to empower and transform the lives of young people who come from under-privileged communities. She is currently a Facilitator with Girl Unlimited South Africa, a mentor, facilitator and board member with AENI Kenya. On June 10, 2024, the Youth Legacy Hub online platform in partnership with Cradle Impact South Africa was launched and it is designed to empower, transform and expose youth to various topics that impact their day to day lives, in the African continent and globally.

Corell Volschenk is a dedicated Foundation Manager with a strong background in the hospitality industry and project management, bringing extensive experience in structured, fast-paced, and multicultural environments. After spending five years living and working in Panama, she returned to South Africa with a renewed passion for creating meaningful impact within communities.

Having recently completed her TEFL qualification and transitioning into online English teaching, Corell is deeply committed to education and youth development. She is passionate about empowering young people and supporting their personal and educational growth while helping build a positive and sustainable future.

As a proud mother of two beautiful children, Corell's values are rooted in care, growth, and community. She believes in collaboration, meaningful connection, and contributing toward shared goals that create lasting change.

Seema Gianoo Singh is the Founder and Director of SheSourced, a women-owned business focused on creating opportunities that empower women to grow, succeed, and realise their potential.

Her career began in finance and recruitment, where she developed a strong understanding of people, relationships, and the value of connecting talent with opportunity. As a young mother raising three daughters, Seema navigated life's challenges with determination and resilience, instilling in her daughters the values of independence, self-motivation, respect, and perseverance. Seeing them grow into confident and capable women remains one of her proudest achievements.

In 2007, Seema launched her own restaurant business, which she successfully owned and operated for 18 years. Through this journey, she built a strong network of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals, gaining valuable insight into the power of relationships, mentorship, and community.

Inspired by her passion for uplifting others, Seema founded SheSourced to help women access opportunities, build confidence, and pursue their ambitions. Through her partnership with GirlUnlimited, she is committed to encouraging young girls to believe in themselves, remain resilient through challenges, and never give up on their dreams.

I dedicate myself to constantly developing my bespoke leadership and management style, project management abilities and organisational development in and on various platforms. I gained various cross industry experience in the corporate, government and non-profit sectors.

I am a seasoned thought partner, programme implementer, facilitator, motivational speaker and MC and bring practical wisdom to the management, leadership and organisational spheres. I completed my studies in both Marketing Management and Project Management with MANCOSA and GIBS. Further development courses include Basic Business and Entrepreneurial Skills at the University of Stellenbosch, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People at the Franklin Covey Institute SA, Contract Management, Peer Counselling and a Train the Trainer Certificate Course. I also have the privilege of creating stories on Television and have just started with a new podcast.

My professional background includes the roles of Deputy Registrar for Brent Council in Wembley UK, Project Supervisor for the Independent Electoral Commission of SA, Development Planner for the Breede Valley Municipality, currently a Project Lead for Jet Education Services as well as being a Training Facilitator for various organisations.

I was also a Board Member for Thando Community Projects and a Founder Member and Management Team Member of the Touws River Transformation Action Team.

I am a Volunteer Facilitator for the GirlUnlimited Foundation which operates in the Katlehong, Vosloorus and Thokoza area where young ladies are upskilled and presented with opportunities to excel in life. I have been appointed as the Arts and Culture Facilitator.