Lindelwa Mahlalela
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Age:
25
Project Name/Description:
LeeConnect
Lindelwa Mahlalela – Tech Professional Empowering South Africa’s Future Lindelwa Mahlalela, originally from Mpumalanga and now based in Johannesburg, is a qualified IT technician and the founder of LeeConnect, an educational platform that connects learners with university and bursary opportunities across South Africa. Driven by purpose, accessibility, and faith, Lindelwa’s journey reflects resilience, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. Her inspiration stemmed from witnessing talented students fall through the cracks simply because they lacked access to vital information. A turning point came when she met a bright young girl who had passed matric with flying colours but had no idea how to apply to university. “That moment showed me that access, not ability, is the greatest barrier,” she recalls. Founded in 2019, LeeConnect began as a small initiative and has grown into a national support system. Each day, Lindelwa assists learners and parents through WhatsApp, updates them on open opportunities, supports with university and bursary applications and hosts educational events. Her most ambitious project is the upcoming LeeConnect app, designed to help learners find courses they qualify for and identify institutions that suit them. Thousands of learners—many from disadvantaged backgrounds—have been supported by Lindelwa’s work. “Some are the first in their families to finish high school or attend university. Seeing their graduation photos reminds me why I started.” Her biggest challenges include limited resources and the demands of wearing many hats. Yet, her purpose keeps her grounded: “Every ‘I got accepted’ message keeps me going.” Lindelwa’s message to aspiring changemakers is simple yet profound: “Start where you are. Believe in your purpose. Real change begins with action.” With LeeConnect expanding, she continues to turn purpose into impact—one learner at a time.
