Duduzile Mabaso

What does your company do?

Her Pride Foundation is a youth-led nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering young women and girls through targeted programmes that promote education, health, and leadership. Founded on the belief that knowledge and access are key drivers of empowerment, the Foundation focuses on equipping high school learners—particularly those from under-resourced communities—with the tools and support they need to thrive. Our work is rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular emphasis on SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality. Through our Career Development initiatives—such as the annual Mandela Day Career Day and the Her Pride Development Cohort Programme—we provide learners in Grades 10 to 12 with access to critical information about career options, higher education pathways, entry requirements, and available funding opportunities. These programmes help bridge the information and opportunity gap that often prevents young people, especially girls, from reaching their full academic and professional potential. Aligned with SDG 5, the Foundation also tackles issues that disproportionately affect young women. Our Menstrual Health programme focuses on menstrual hygiene education, access to sanitary products, and destigmatisation of menstruation—ensuring that no girl misses school or feels ashamed due to a natural biological process. In parallel, our Mental Health programming creates safe spaces for girls to explore emotional well-being, build resilience, and access psychosocial support, recognising that mental health is foundational to personal development and sustained engagement in education. By integrating advocacy, direct service delivery, and multi-sector collaboration, Her Pride Foundation empowers young women to lead with confidence and pursue opportunities that transform not only their lives but also their communities. Our vision is a future where every girl has equal access to quality education, healthcare, and the leadership space—making real the promise of dignity, equality, and empowerment for all.

What is your biggest success?

Our greatest achievement has been the successful implementation of the Her Pride Development Cohort Programme, an initiative that supports young girls through mentorship, career development, mental health education, and menstrual health awareness. Since its launch [2024], the programme has reached 60 girls, many of whom have shown marked improvements in confidence, school attendance, academic performance, and post-school planning. Participants have reported a better understanding of their career options, improved emotional resilience, and increased access to educational and financial resources. Through structured workshops, peer mentoring, and personalised support, the programme has created a safe and empowering space for girls to grow holistically. For many, it has been the first time they’ve had access to this level of guidance and support. This achievement reflects our mission to break cycles of exclusion and invest in the leadership potential of girls from disadvantaged communities.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Our biggest hurdle has been securing consistent and sustainable funding to support the growth and long-term impact of our programmes. While the demand for our work continues to grow, limited financial resources often restrict the scale and reach of our initiatives. As a youth-led nonprofit, we face challenges in accessing traditional funding streams, despite demonstrated impact and community need. This has meant relying heavily on personal contributions, in-kind support, and short-term partnerships to keep our work going. At times, this has delayed the rollout of key activities, limited the number of participants we can accommodate, and affected our ability to provide essentials like sanitary products or transport for learners. Despite these challenges, we remain committed and continue to seek strategic partnerships and funding opportunities to ensure our programmes remain accessible and impactful for the young women we serve.