Clerah Sethole
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Project Name/Description:
Founder, Exclusively Inclusive Foundation
Last year, Clerah (30) was the winner in the social justice category of Young Mandelas, a recognition of inspiring young people shaping and changing the narrative for the better. Besides being an award-winning community leader, Clerah is also a youth advocate and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of education, inclusion, and civic empowerment. As the founder of the trailblazing Exclusively Inclusive Foundation, she has, over the years, made it her priority to look after young learners with ADHD and Dyslexia in underserved communities. Through Precious Hope Foundation, she helps township youth access career guidance, tertiary opportunities, and mentorship. Clerah, born in Carletonville’s Khutsong township, is also a board member of the Gauteng Youth Advisory Panel. This is where her skills are used as she contributes to shaping provincial youth development policies. Her focus areas include inclusive education, mental health advocacy, gender equity, and access to quality public services for young people. In 2023, Clerah was recognised as a Top 100 Influential Young South African and is a YALI alumna, testament to her growing impact both locally and nationally. She says that through her work, a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson drives her: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
