Head of Development, Imbeleko, Dr Seni Myeni Foundation

Samkele Xaba is the Head of Development at Imbeleko Foundation, where she leads fundraising and strategic partnerships to expand opportunities for young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Her work focuses on advancing social justice and increasing access to education and economic participation for women and girls in underserved communities. Samkele works at the intersection of education, youth development, and rural economic opportunity, building partnerships that support sustainable impact. She holds an MPhil in Development Finance and has been recognized as a Top 35 Under 35 leader by the Youth Employment Service (YES) for her contributions to youth empowerment and development.

Rise Up Together Cohort: South Africa, 2026