Above: A talented poet, Lebo gave a beautiful spoken word performance at a Lalela fundraiser in New York!

Kelebogile Phaloana may be a name you’ve heard mentioned before in Lalela circles. That’s because this Lalela alum has a long and special connection to our programme. We’re so pleased to introduce you to this shining star, of whom we are enormously proud!

Lebo, as we know her, is a talented artist and poet. As a student, she got to share some of her beautiful spoken work pieces on stage as part of several Lalela fundraising initiatives (including New York!), impressing everyone with her passion and a confidence belying her young age.

Having been a Lalela student throughout her school years in Hout Bay in South Africa’s Western Cape, Lebo joined our team as an intern after graduating from high school—just months before the Covid-19 pandemic caused us to take our programmes into the virtual space. And yet Lebo soldiered on, made her mark, and has since settled into a meaningful career of her own.

We caught up with this dynamic go-getter who has done herself—and Lalela—proud!

What are you up to these days?

I currently work at an organisation called Amathuba. It’s a youth empowerment organisation that supports young people in work experience programmes. We host over 200 youth interns who in turn speak to over 3,000 young people across the country, providing life guidance and emotional support.

I started as an intern facilitator in 2020 and I am currently permanently employed as a  Senior Learning and development facilitator, and co-ordinator of two big programmes we run at Amathuba. I work with young people from 18 to 29 and I’m only 21 years old.

I’ve grown in so many ways personally and professionally and I always make sure to share about where I started and who were the people who always believed in me and gave me all the tools I needed to be where I am today I always say Amathuba is just a cherry on top—it all started in grade 3 when I joined Lalela.

Above: “You can’t help others unless you help yourself first.” Lebo pictured here with fellow intern Syd (visiting from Stanford University) with Lalela learners.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Knowing I am making meaningful contribution to the lives of young people. We are going through so much mentally and we are not all fortunate enough to have solid support structures. Just knowing that I am a part of a programme that helps young people flourish and reach their full potential despite their mental state gives me so much satisfaction.

Tell us about what you learnt as a young person while at Lalela?

Lalela gave me a sense of belonging and supported me in every way. I was always in spaces where I had to engage with different people. Sometimes I felt challenged to get out of my comfort zone because I was a bit shy and lacked confidence, but the safe spaces the facilitators created helped me find my true identity and boost my confidence.

How do you feel this experience helped you get to where you are today?

Being a Lalela learner paved the way for my current career direction. During my years with the programme I was able to find my interests, my weaknesses, what rocks my soul, my greatest strengths. It made a huge impact on my life.

It is in my years with Lalela that I realised I wanted to become a teacher. I imagined myself with my own classroom full of beautiful people. I realised the power of my voice. I loved being around people, and I wanted to create change. Part of my job is interacting with different people with different personalities, and it allows me to use my voice to create change

Above: Lebo has shared her beautiful spoken word pieces at several Lalela events

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to your younger self?

You are stronger than you know.

And to a young Lalela learner?

You can’t help others unless you help yourself first.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I see myself as a qualified teacher, an experienced facilitator, and a business owner. My dream is to open my own organisation while teaching and running my business. I believe I was fortunate enough to have been a part of an organization that fully believed in me. I want to be that hope for someone else. I want to create big change.

Below: Lebo (right) pictured with fellow Lalela alum Melody, at a Lalela fundraiser in New York.