Nhlamulo Tlakula

What does your company do?

The Grateful Hearts Foundation is on a mission to change the odds for children born with congenital heart defects (CHDs) in South Africa. We exist to strengthen the pediatric cardiac care system by funding the training of specialized doctors and supporting surgeries for children from low-income families. The work is deeply personal. Our founder, Nhlamulo Tlakula's daughter was born with a complex CHD, and the experience revealed the devastating lack of specialized care across the continent. In a country of over 60 million people, fewer than 40 cardiologists are available — and the majority serve the private sector. In response, we’ve built partnerships that prioritize African solutions to African challenges. Through our flagship partnership with Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, we fund advanced pediatric cardiac training for South African doctors. We also raise funds to cover life-saving surgeries for children who would otherwise fall through the cracks. At our core, we believe every child deserves the chance to live a full life — and that with the right investment in people, systems, and compassion, we can turn that belief into reality.

What is your biggest success?

Our greatest achievement has been building the foundation for sustainable, long-term impact in a space that desperately needs it. The first milestone was formalizing our partnership with Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital — one of only a few pediatric cardiac centers on the continent. This partnership ensures that we can support specialized training for doctors and increase access to pediatric surgeries for children who need urgent care. The second was securing a U.S.-based fiscal sponsor: Ubuntu Connects. This has opened a critical door for fundraising, allowing us to accept tax-deductible donations from American donors and diaspora communities — dramatically expanding our reach and ability to deliver on our mission. Together, these achievements have positioned us to scale with integrity, reach more children, and invest in African medical talent for generations to come. They’re not just administrative wins — they are a testament to what’s possible when vision meets action.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Our biggest hurdle has been securing consistent funding and corporate sponsorship to match the scale of the crisis we’re trying to address. The need is urgent and growing — yet funding for congenital heart defects and pediatric cardiac care in Africa remains under-recognized. Convincing donors to invest in highly specialized, long-term solutions like surgical training or pediatric ICUs can be a challenge, particularly for a young foundation led by a woman of color navigating both the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. We’ve also had to do a lot with very little. With limited staff and operational resources, we’ve leaned heavily on partnerships, storytelling, and volunteer support. But this has also made us scrappy, strategic, and deeply mission-aligned. While the pace has been slower than we’d like, our resolve hasn’t wavered. Every hurdle we’ve faced has reminded us that the work is urgent, and the impact is worth every fight.