FROM ORPHAN TO ADVOCATE: NTHABISENG MASHABA’S INSPIRING JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE AND SERVICE

By Nonhlakanipho Masola.

• Rising from the loss of her parents and personal struggles, Nthabiseng Mashaba has become a powerful advocate for survivors of gender-based violence, dedicating more than a decade of service at the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre.
• As a beneficiary of the Department of Social Development’s graduate programme, she recently obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree, adding legal expertise to her social work background to advance justice and human rights.
• Guided by the resilience of her late mother and the courage of Mama Winnie Mandela, Nthabiseng urges young women to invest in themselves, fight patriarchy, and include the boy child in building a more equal society.

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, the Department of Social Development honours women whose resilience and dedication embody the spirit of empowerment. Among them is Nthabiseng Mashaba, a 36 year old social worker and newly qualified lawyer, who has dedicated her life to confronting gender – based violence and advocating the rights for the vulnerable.
Born in Driekop, Limpopo, and raised in Soshanguve after losing her parents at the tender age of 13, Nthabiseng’s journey has been defined by determination in the face of hardship. Instead of allowing tragedy to define her, she transformed her circumstances into a driving force for change.
Over the past 12 years, she has worked at the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, counselling survivors, addressing social challenges, and amplifying the voices of those too often silenced. Through her dedication, she has emerged as a change agent, embodying the department’s mission of protection and empowerment.
Her achievements also reflect the department’s commitment to investing in women through education and learning. As part of the department’s graduate programme, she is one of the recent graduates who successfully completed her Bachelor of Laws degree. She now prepares to begin her articles, combining her background in social work with legal expertise to challenge injustices and strengthen advocacy for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
Despite personal battles, such as teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, and emotional abuse, Nthabiseng describes herself as a “soft flower”, delicate yet deeply rooted in strength. Inspired by her late mother’s resilience and the unwavering courage of Mama Winnie Mandela, she continues to fight for justice with conviction.
For Nthabiseng, Women’s Month is a time of reflection and power. “It means walking in my ancestors’ footsteps, honouring the women who shaped this country so that I can enjoy being a woman and walk in my power”, she affirms.

Her advice to young women is to first invest in themselves, take accountability for their lives, and stand united in the fight against patriarchy and femicide, while ensuring that the boy child is included in the journey towards change.

Looking ahead, she envisions building a life she has always imagined, a life that inspires young people to pursue their aspirations fearlessly.

Professionally, she is determined to thrive in the male-dominated legal field, breaking barriers and showcasing why women deserve to lead.

Her journey is a profound testament not only to her own courage and perseverance but also to the Department of Social Development’s commitment to empowering women through education, opportunity, and resilience.