Empowering Youth · Building Leaders ·
We envision a society where talent is recognised early and nurtured consistently.
Through structured mentorship, leadership development, and strategic partnerships, we bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.
My name is Thapedi Refilwe Mphego. I was born and raised in Burgersfort, a small town in Limpopo characterised by rural surroundings, limited infrastructure, and constrained access to opportunity. For many young people growing up there, exposure to professional careers, structured mentorship, and networks that enable upward mobility is not readily available. While ambition is abundant, the pathways to realise it are often not visible or accessible.
My journey began in this environment. I attended Calvin College in Burgersfort, where I served as Deputy Head Girl and completed my matric. While I was fortunate to receive a solid educational foundation, I did not have access to the level of career guidance, mentorship, or professional exposure that is often available in more resourced environments.
Through determination, I pursued a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Pretoria and later relocated to Cape Town to begin my legal career. Since commencing my articles in 2013, I have progressed to become an executive (director) in the dispute resolution practice at ENS. I currently serve as Chairperson of the Cape Town Attorneys Association and as a Council Member of the Legal Practice Council in the Western Cape. I have also had the privilege of serving as an Acting Judge in the Western Cape High Court.
These roles have provided access to professional networks, opportunities, and platforms that were not readily visible to me while growing up. They have also highlighted the structural gap that continues to exist between capable young people and the opportunities that could significantly change the trajectory of their lives.
The Thapedi Refilwe Mentorship and Leadership Foundation was established to address this gap in a deliberate and structured way. It is rooted in the belief that talent is universal, but access is not. The Foundation seeks to ensure that young people, particularly from communities such as Burgersfort and Cape Town, are not limited by a lack of exposure, guidance, or resources.
This is not simply a philanthropic initiative, but a targeted intervention aimed at building a pipeline of capable, confident, and work-ready young leaders who are equipped to participate meaningfully in both the economy and society.
"These roles made clear the structural gap that continues to exist between capable young people and the opportunities that could change the trajectory of their lives."
Our vision is a future in which a young person's background does not determine their access ,to opportunity. We envision a society where talent is recognised early, nurtured consistently, , and supported through meaningful exposure, mentorship, and networks, enabling young people to purse their ambitions with clarity and confidence.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity by providing structured mentorship, practical guidance, and access to professional networks. Through this work, we aim to equip young people, particularly from under-resourced communities, with the tools, confidence, and readiness needed to participate meaningfully in the economy and in society.
Structured Mentorship (Including Digital Mentorship) The Foundation offers a formalised, outcome-driven support system where mentees are connected with vetted mentors and guided through a defined development pathway including a digital mentorship layer which enables scalability and access beyond geographic constraints through platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.
Leadership Development
The Foundation offers a structured programme aimed at cultivating core leadership competencies. Key competency areas:The Foundation aims to create socially conscious, employable, and community-orientated ethical leaders.
It is not a charity. It is a strategic talent and leadership partner that enables corporates to invest early in future employees, strengthen ESG and B-BBEE positioning, and contribute to measurable socioeconomic impact.
One-on-one and group mentorship connecting youth with professionals across industries. Quarterly workshops on career, leadership, and life skills.
Public speaking training, ethics and professional responsibility sessions, and confidence-building initiatives led by experienced leaders.
A structured WhatsApp platform connecting 10 youth with a curated professional network for guidance on CVs, applications, and career queries.
A corporate clothing bank, textbooks, and academic materials ensuring young people are equipped for professional environments.
Partner with us today to empower youth and create leaders.
The Foundation serves high-potential young people from both rural and urban communities — particularly from Burgersfort in Limpopo and Cape Town.
Some of the benefits for corporates include getting access to pre-trained, high-potential candidates, reducing recruitment and onboarding costs. Corporates can also benefit from improved B-BBEE alignment and, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics.
Grades 10–12 students receiving early exposure to career pathways, professional environments, and structured guidance.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students navigating higher education with mentorship, networking and career support.
Entry-level professionals transitioning from academia to the workplace, equipped with workplace-readiness skills.
Contribution to youth development and transformation
Alignment with ESG and CSI objectives
Employee volunteerism and mentorship opportunities
Brand visibility across Foundation initiatives
Measurable social impact outcomes and reporting