Managing Director, Civic Root Advocacy

Siyabulela Jentile is a civic leader and Managing Director of Civic Root Advocacy, a public policy organization advancing community-led, evidence-based governance reform. He leads initiatives that strengthen civic participation and ensure that marginalized communities—especially women, young people, and gender-diverse individuals—are meaningfully represented in policymaking processes. Siyabulela is a graduate of the Social Entrepreneurship Program at GIBS and the first Southern African laureate of the Initiative Marianne, awarded by the President of France. With a background in civil engineering, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to governance, advocacy, and systems change. He is also an author, with published and forthcoming works focused on democracy and accountability.

Rise Up Together Cohort: South Africa, 2026