In an ambitious stride towards empowering the youth of South Africa, Miss SA 2024 runner-up Nompumelelo (Mpume) Maduna has unveiled her latest initiative, the Impumelelo Mentorship campaign.
This initiative aims to spotlight the journeys of inspirational figures, who have successfully navigated challenges and are eager to lend their wisdom to the next generation.
The cornerstone of this campaign is the "Impumelelo Mentorship" podcast, set to launch at the end of March across multiple streaming platforms.
The six-episode series aims to become a wellspring of knowledge, showcasing stories that promise to inspire and transform young listeners.
Maduna says that mentorship is the most precious gift a person with experience can give to others.
“When I entered Miss South Africa, I committed to, ‘Rise as I rise with others’. Podcasts are the new encyclopedias of information, ideas and knowledge and have become an important global platform for engagement.
"Statistics indicate that over 78% of listeners feel empowered by the content they consume and the importance of mentorship is me ensuring I play my part in making it accessible.
“With these podcasts, I really want to make an impact on the lives of young people, enable them to dream beyond the realm of reality and start conversations to ignite hope and inspire transformative change.
"I want to tap into the experience of incredible people, some of whom we look up to and whom we idolise. I want to get to the source and the magic of what it took for them to get where they are and the challenges they faced along their journey,” she explained.
Maduna's passion for mentoring stems from her own life experiences. She shared her journey candidly, stating that as a student, every decision regarding her limited financial resources carried weight and taught her crucial life lessons.
"I took a taxi to university, if I wasted the money I had, I soon learnt that I would have to walk instead. If I used the money as an investment, say to buy a book, I also had to walk but then it was an investment in myself.
"The return on that took me to the destination I was looking to get to. It is now more important than ever to ignite hope, inspiration and transformative change in our young people to know what it takes to get to where they want to go. You need patience, perseverance and resilience,” she said.
The "Impumelelo Mentorship" podcast promises a diverse range of guests, each bringing unique perspectives on both success and failure, illuminating the integral role mentorship plays in their journeys.
"By providing guidance, support and opportunities, the aim is to nurture the talents and aspirations of the next generation. My mission is to change mindsets, foster ambition and create a stronger and more equitable society."
Maduna encapsulates her mission: “The future belongs to you; you are the leaders, innovators and change-makers; you are in charge of crafting your journey and becoming what you desire; the world is your oyster if you believe that you are possible; your voice matters."