From Activism to Action: How Tebogo Motlana is Building a Legacy of Community Leadership

In the heart of Tsakane, where stories of struggle, resilience and hope have shaped generations, one young leader has dedicated his life to ensuring that communities do more than survive, they thrive. Tebogo Motlana, entrepreneur, community developer, environmental health practitioner, Activate! Change Drivers Training Team Leader and aspiring ward councillor, has spent years creating opportunities for others while championing active citizenship and grassroots development. His journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about status or authority, but about service, accountability and leaving communities better than you found them.

For Motlana, the roots of his passion for community development stretch back long before he entered public life. Community activism, he explains, has always been woven into his story. Before he was even born, his family was touched by the political unrest that engulfed many townships during apartheid. In 1984, while his mother was pregnant with him, violence erupted during hostel-related political conflicts, forcing her to flee for safety. Years later, he would witness community uprisings in Tsakane and observe ordinary people mobilising in pursuit of justice and dignity.

These experiences shaped more than his understanding of society; they helped define his purpose. Growing up, he learned that progress is seldom handed to communities and that meaningful change often requires courageous individuals willing to stand up for what is right. “Injustice requires someone to rise to the occasion to fight it,” says Motlana. His awareness of social issues deepened further during his school years when student activism and movements such as PASO disrupted learning. While many focused on the disruption itself, Motlana found himself thinking beyond the immediate crisis and asking difficult questions about long-term solutions and sustainable change. “If the disruptions happen, then why are we not talking about the solutions to mitigate and address these challenges in the future?” That mindset would later become the foundation of his leadership journey.

From Student Activist to Community Builder

While studying Environmental Health at the University of Johannesburg, Motlana became actively involved in student leadership and advocacy. University exposed him to students from different backgrounds who shared similar socio-economic challenges and aspirations. For him, it was a transformative period that deepened his understanding of economic injustice and the structural barriers facing many young South Africans.

Determined to make a contribution, he became involved in the ANC Youth League and successfully contested for a position within student leadership structures as a Health Representative. These experiences sharpened his leadership skills while teaching him an important lesson, that leadership is most effective when it is rooted in service and driven by collective progress rather than personal recognition. The student activist who questioned systems and challenged inequalities would eventually become a community builder focused on practical solutions and measurable impact.

Creating Economic Opportunities Through Entrepreneurship and Collaboration

Recognising the challenges faced by township entrepreneurs, he established the Township Entrepreneurs Network (TEN), a platform dedicated to empowering local business owners through learning opportunities, networking and collaboration. Through TEN, entrepreneurs were encouraged not only to grow their businesses but also to support one another in building stronger local economies.

His commitment to economic development has also seen him work alongside organisations such as the Global Business Roundtable (GBR), the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC), and the Greater Brakpan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he currently serves as Public Relations Officer. Throughout these engagements, Motlana has remained focused on one principle, sustainable development is impossible without strong partnerships. Whether working with business leaders, civil society organisations or community stakeholders, he believes lasting change is achieved through collaboration rather than competition.

Leadership as Service: Reimagining Local Governance

As Motlana seeks to serve his community as a ward councillor candidate, his vision remains grounded in a simple but powerful principle: leadership is service. He believes many of the challenges facing local government today stem from leaders who have forgotten the true purpose of public office. “Listen to what the people have to say, what their needs are, where are the service delivery gaps?”

For Motlana, a ward councillor’s role is not one of power or prestige. Rather, it is a responsibility to advocate for residents, address community concerns and ensure that local voices influence decision-making processes. He speaks passionately about the importance of accountability and laments the tendency of some elected representatives to become disconnected from the communities they serve. “Meaningful leadership is shifting from the focus of fueling political mandates forced on communities and listening to what the people say.”

Empowering Thousands of Young Leaders Through Activate!

Motlana’s most enduring contributions has been his role within Activate! Change Drivers.

Motlana reflects openly on a period in his life when he often felt excluded from development and leadership spaces. Activate!, he says, provided him with an opportunity to flourish among like-minded young people who shared his passion for community transformation. “Activate! made me see possibilities in spaces that felt like there weren’t any.” Today, he continues to pay that opportunity forward by helping other young people discover their own potential and realise that leadership is not reserved for a select few, but available to anyone willing to serve.

Youth Month 2026: A New Generation Must Rise

As South Africa commemorates Youth Month and reflects on the bravery of the young people who challenged injustice in 1976, Motlana believes today’s youth are being called upon to demonstrate that same courage in different ways. His message to young people is clear,  participation matters. “Young people need to vote, but not just vote, they need to vote for themselves.”

He encourages young South Africans to become informed about the issues affecting their communities, engage with leadership processes and support initiatives that seek to create meaningful change. For him, the spirit of 1976 remains relevant today. “Young people in 2026 should consider this year to be their relived version of the Youth Uprisings that took place in 1976.” His call is not merely about politics. It is about agency, responsibility and recognising the power that young people possess to shape their own future. “Remember that your vote is your voice.” 

For Tebogo Motlana, that voice has always been used in service of others. His story is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership and a reminder that real change begins when ordinary people choose to take responsibility for the communities they call home.

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About the Author:

Ntsiki Khunju is a member of ACTIVATE! Change Drivers Writer’s Hub. She is a content creator, narrator, and spoken word artist.