Welcoming Bophelo to the IAWA Family

We are excited to welcome Bophelo as he joins the AIWA team as our new Digital Communications Coordinator. With a background in marketing, Bophelo steps into this role ready to help amplify IAWA’s voice as we celebrate 10 years of excellence.

What drew you to join I Am, We Are (IAWA) at this exciting moment in our 10-year journey?

I was drawn to IAWA because of its deep commitment to shaping the lives of young people. Over the past decade, IAWA has built a community that empowers youth to see their own worth, dream bigger, and become leaders in their families and communities. That type of impact is rare and precious.

I am someone who is purpose-driven, and I believe my life’s work should add value not only to myself but also to the people around me. Seeing how IAWA has created safe spaces for young people to grow in confidence, find their voices, and build skills that prepare them for the future made me want to be part of this journey. At this 10-year milestone, I feel inspired to join hands with an organisation that doesn’t just talk about change, but lives it through the lives of the youth it touches

How does IAWA’s mission connect with your personal values or professional passions?

IAWA’s mission, to build socially engaged, globally aware, and economically free youth leaders reflects what I value most. I believe in service, growth, and empowerment. I have always felt that we are stronger when we stand together, and IAWA embodies that belief through the principle of Ubuntu.

Professionally, my passion lies in digital communication and storytelling through marketing. I find joy in creating content that inspires action and brings people closer to a shared purpose. My journey with a non-profit organization that i worked for in 2019 that visits rural schools to teach learners about ICT, showed me just how powerful communication can be. From that internship i fell in love with storytelling and creating content. I served as their cameraman, capturing every moment to share on social media platforms. Through that work, I saw how stories and visuals can shine a light on learning, inspire hope, and connect communities.

That experience gave me a lasting appreciation for using digital platforms as tools for empowerment. IAWA’s mission connects perfectly with this passion, because it is rooted in giving young people a platform to connect, to learn, and to share their own stories of resilience and hope

What skills, experiences, or perspectives do you bring that you feel will strengthen IAWA’s impact?

I bring both professional skills and a mindset shaped by purpose. What drives me most is using my work to serve others, create meaningful connections, and support organisations that are making a real difference

I also have strong research experience from my academic projects. I did a mini dissertation focusing on digital marketing strategies and completed a full marketing plan for a funeral parlour. These experiences that taught me how to turn data into insight. This ability to study communities, understand challenges, and recommend tailored solutions will help IAWA continue aligning its communication strategies with the needs of youth and donors.

On top of this, I am a self-taught graphic designer. Teaching myself design gave me both creativity and problem-solving skills — learning how to communicate ideas visually, even with limited resources. This skill allows me to bring IAWA’s stories to life in a way that is both engaging and accessible, helping the organisation’s message reach and inspire more people.

My academic background in marketing (National Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Honours in Marketing, with a Master’s in progress) provides me with both theory and practical grounding in how organisations build brands and connect with audiences. Combined with my creativity and adaptability, I believe these experiences position me to strengthen IAWA’s digital presence and ensure its voice remains authentic, inspiring, and impactful..

As we celebrate a decade of IAWA, what impact do you hope to make on the program and the youth we serve?

My hope is to help amplify the voices of IAWA youth so that their journeys are celebrated and their impact is seen by the world. Too often, the stories of young people are overlooked, yet they hold so much power to inspire change. I want to use my skills to make sure those stories reach donors, partners, and communities, showing the true value of investing in IAWA’s mission.

I also hope to strengthen the organisation’s digital presence, making it easier for people to connect with IAWA, support its work, and feel part of the journey. More than anything, I want to play a role in ensuring that as IAWA steps into its next decade, it does so with even more visibility, more support, and more opportunities for young people to thrive.

Although this is a five-month contract, I am committed to giving my very best during this time. I will work hard, stay open to learning, and make the most of every opportunity to serve IAWA’s mission and contribute to the growth of the youth we support. For me, this role is not just temporary employment — it is a chance to leave a lasting impact while also growing personally and professionally.