A New Chapter Begins… Message from Xolile Charmaine Zondi, enke’s New CEO

A New Chapter Begins, a message from Xolile Charmaine Zondi

Hello enke Community,

I am thrilled to share the start of my journey as the 3rd CEO of enke with you. It has been 35 days since I had the honor of becoming the CEO of enke, taking on the baton from the visionary leader, Rufaro Mudimu. The handover period has been meticulously planned and executed, and as I look forward to my 35th birthday in a few months, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of alignment with the enke mission. This alignment with working with young people resonates deeply with me and epitomizes what being part of the enke community means.

My connection with enke started as a participant in the 2013 enke: Ignition Program. The experience sparked a keen interest in leadership development and social impact. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work in various roles that have allowed me to contribute to entrepreneurship, education, and youth development in South Africa and Tanzania. My time at the Market Theatre Foundation, Trialogue South Africa, Tshikululu Social Investments, and the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (SOMAFCO) Trust has given me valuable experience in stakeholder relations and program development. Additionally, my work with the Solidarity Fund provided an opportunity to support national efforts against pressing challenges. I am excited to bring all the skills, experiences, and ideas into leading enke.

The warm welcome I received from an incredibly enthusiastic team has been invigorating. Their eagerness to collaborate in nurturing and expanding enke’s legacy is palpable, and it positions us right at the heart of youth development solutions in South Africa. The support from the board, staff team, and the broader enke community has been overwhelming and motivating.

Since joining, I have had the pleasure of participating in the launch of our Ignite Ventures Business Generator (IVBG), our Trailblazer Patron Gathering, and Rufaro’s inspiring farewell event. Witnessing the enke community’s energy and dedication during these events has been both humbling and inspiring.

I am particularly excited about our alumni network and what it means to be an enke Alumni. Having engaged deeply with many of our programs, I am committed to working alongside our talented team and Board to shape the future of enke.

As we look ahead, we aim to strengthen our impact by focusing on innovative youth development initiatives and expanding our reach. In this spirit, we are launching the “My enke Legacy” fundraising campaign. This campaign celebrates the incredible journey we have shared and pledges to build on the solid foundation of the past 15 years.

I look forward to engaging with each of you—our vital stakeholders and enke community—as we strive to elevate enke to the foremost youth enabler in South Africa.

Ngiyabonga,

UMaZondi (a.k.a Xolile Charmaine)