In the heart of South Africa, where traditions run deep and communities are tightly knit, a young girl named Mondekazi Ntshele began a journey that would transcend borders and touch countless lives. Growing up in rural villages, Mondekazi’s early experiences were steeped in cultural practices, including cooking for initiates (Abakhwetha), and a strong sense of community. These formative years instilled in her a profound understanding of societal structures and the importance of communal support.
Mondekazi’s academic journey commenced at the University of Fort Hare, where she pursued a Bachelor of Public Administration and Politics. Her passion for governance and societal structures was evident, but it was during this time that she recognized the broader potential of her experiences and academic background, inspiring her to pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. Her early exposure to current affairs, often watching the news alongside her father, cultivated a deep interest in politics and governance.
In 2017, at the age of 19, Mondekazi completed her first degree and made the pivotal decision to embark on the LLB journey. Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, she discovered a passion for working with people—engaging, empathizing, and connecting with them on a personal level.
Leadership and Advocacy: Building a Foundation
Mondekazi’s commitment to service and leadership took root in various ways. She actively took on leadership roles at university and had the honor of participating in the Model United Nations in Malaysia. She also served as a project coordinator for the South African Medical Research Council, contributing to an intervention program focused on preventing sexual assault and gender-based violence in higher education institutions. Additionally, she joined the Interdisciplinary Programme as a facilitator, a role she held for three years.
These experiences solidified her commitment to the intersection of human rights and politics, affirming her belief that advocacy, informed by both legal and political understanding, can be a powerful force for change.
Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
In 2022, Mondekazi began pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) degree at the University of Cape Town, driven by a deepening commitment to human rights and justice. Unfortunately, financial constraints forced her to pause her studies. However, life unfolded in unexpected ways, leading her into a path that blended education, community, and international advocacy.
A chance meeting with fellow student Jo Ackermann led to a friendship that would prove pivotal. When Mondekazi confided in Jo about her financial difficulties, Jo and her mother generously provided support. Jo then proposed that Mondekazi teach her isiXhosa for everyday communication, offering to pay for the lessons. What started as a means to sustain herself soon became a passion. Today, Mondekazi teaches isiXhosa to learners around the world through the Superprof platform.
Her teaching journey led to further opportunities, including assisting with research and advocacy at the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF). There, she was introduced to the issue of the criminalization of poverty and status in Africa—a topic that would shape her professional journey. Her work expanded to include conducting interviews with homeless people in Cape Town, contributing to policy development addressing sexual assault allegations in the judiciary, and eventually leading to a fellowship with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) – Kenyan Section.
Impactful Work and Ongoing Commitments
At ICJ-Kenya, Mondekazi contributed to the Democratic Governance and Rule of Law Programme, engaging directly with stakeholders in the judiciary, participating in election monitoring processes, and leading collaborative projects focusing on sub-national governance and the experiences of women in public spaces. Her contributions included analytical papers on public participation in the recruitment of judicial officers and the role of decriminalizing petty offenses in advancing gender equality.
In 2024, she was approached by Anathi Mtila, founder of Komofin, to assist with the company’s legal and compliance framework. Recognizing the importance of supporting black-owned start-ups and fostering innovation in underserved communities, she accepted the offer.
Daily Life and Personal Reflections
Currently based in South Africa, Mondekazi is focusing on her academic pursuits and preparing to transition to West Africa to complete a critical component of her studies. Balancing multiple commitments, she approaches each task with intention and adaptability.
When preparing for panel moderations, legal research, or cross-border advocacy work, Mondekazi emphasizes thorough preparation, comprehensive reading, and anticipating audience interests. She also prioritizes rest to remain focused and composed during engagements.
Advice for Aspiring Advocates
Mondekazi advises law students and early-career professionals passionate about advocacy to adopt a multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach. While the law provides a critical foundation, it must be complemented by knowledge from other fields—such as social sciences, humanities, economics, political science, and development—to fully understand and address complex challenges faced by communities.
Clarifying Misconceptions and Looking Ahead
Addressing common misconceptions, Mondekazi emphasizes that the work of human rights lawyers extends far beyond the courtroom. While legal representation is vital, the scope of human rights practice includes advocacy, policy engagement, and community-based interventions.
Looking to the future, she believes that while artificial intelligence is being applied to support various aspects of the legal system, advocacy will remain less affected due to its reliance on human interaction, empathy, and the ability to articulate lived experiences to influence policy-making processes. International collaboration presents opportunities to align legal standards with the development and application of AI technologies, ensuring that integration upholds fundamental rights and promotes equity.
The Future of Law and Advocacy
Mondekazi believes that while artificial intelligence is streamlining legal processes, advocacy remains heavily reliant on human interaction, empathy, and the articulation of lived experiences. She sees international collaboration as an opportunity to align legal standards with AI technologies, ensuring that integration upholds fundamental rights and promotes equity.
About the Lawyer
Mondekazi Ntshele is an LLM student in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa at the University of Pretoria. She holds a Bachelor of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Fort Hare. Currently, she works part-time at Komofin as a Legal and Compliance Officer. Fluent in isiXhosa, Mondekazi teaches the language to learners worldwide and has a passion for reading and engaging with podcasts. Her unique experiences, including growing up in South African villages and participating in traditional practices, have profoundly shaped her approach to human rights advocacy.
