Tshwarelo Mkhabela
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Age:
33
Project Name/Description:
Founder – Children Care; Educational Trips and Tours
Tshwarelo Geraldine Mkhabela, an award-winning teacher from Winterveldt, is more than an educator—she defines herself as a change-maker. Mkhabela says she was inspired by her mother’s strength and passion for education. Tshwarelo has spent her life turning challenges into stepping stones. Her journey from a childhood of financial hardship to being named Top 3 in Gauteng at the National Teaching Awards is nothing short of remarkable. Beyond the classroom, Tshwarelo co-founded Children Care, a literacy project that nurtures young readers, and Educational Trips and Tours, which gives children from under-resourced communities a chance to explore and learn beyond their surroundings. Her deep commitment to uplifting youth is personal—and often self-funded. With the help of community “angel sponsors,” she continues to make magic happen, one child at a time. She believes that her resilience is rooted in faith, therapy, and her unwavering belief in the power of education. She bravely overcame mental health struggles and the absence of family support, transforming pain into purpose. Her proudest moment? Courageously nominating herself for the National Teaching Awards—and proving that vision and effort are a powerful duo. “I dream of launching an experiential school that fuses technology, tourism, and environmental education. Whether I am teaching, speaking, or mentoring, my mission is clear: to inspire youth, shift mindsets, and build a legacy of empowerment,” Mkhabela said. “I want every child to believe their dreams are valid,” she says. And in everything she does, she helps make those dreams feel just a little closer.
