Rewriting Youth Narratives in Kimberley, The Vision and Leadership of Gaobakwe Sentletse
In the heart of Kimberley, a city rich in history yet burdened with deep socio-economic challenges, one man is rewriting the narrative for young people one programme, one conversation, and one breakthrough at a time. That man is Gaobakwe Michael Sentletse, born on October 11, 1985, and raised as the youngest of two sons. His life story is not just one of overcoming personal adversity it is a story of visionary leadership, rooted in empathy and a deep commitment to youth development.
Early Life and the Spark of Change
Gaobakwe’s upbringing was far from easy. He grew up in a home scarred by domestic violence, witnessing his mother suffer daily abuse at the hands of his father. The trauma left lasting emotional and psychological wounds that affected his schooling and self-esteem. Yet, amidst this hardship, Gaobakwe found purpose.
“The happiest moment for my mother was seeing me complete matric,” he reflects. “That was the last time she smiled before passing on. That smile drives me every day to do better, to make life better for others.”
After matriculating in 2004, Gaobakwe entered the workforce. But even as he tried to build a career, his heart remained in community work. He started his journey in youth development within his local church, engaging with vulnerable young people who reminded him of his younger self children craving guidance, safety, and love.
When the church could no longer support his growing vision, Gaobakwe expanded his reach by joining New LoveLife Trust in 2009 as a volunteer Mpintshi. This opportunity gave him access to community mobilization platforms. A year later, he became a LoveLife Groundbreaker, leading a dynamic team of youth who ran awareness programmes and provided a safe space for their peers.
“Our community was under siege from gangsterism and substance abuse,” Gaobakwe recalls. “Young people were dying every weekend. I couldn’t just watch.”
Founding GM Sentletse Foundation
These experiences laid the foundation for something greater. In 2016, Gaobakwe registered the GM Sentletse Foundation an organisation dedicated to youth empowerment both in and out of school environments.
At the core of the Foundation’s work is a desire to build ethical, self-aware, and socially conscious leaders. Programmes like “Discover the Leader in You” target high school learners, especially those elected into Representative Councils of Learners (RCLs). The programme helps them move beyond ceremonial titles to become active changemakers in their schools and communities.
For primary school learners, the Foundation runs “The Leader I Ought to Be”, a forward-thinking initiative that teaches leadership through storytelling, group activities, and critical thinking exercises planting seeds of purpose and confidence early in life.
In a bold move to revive interest in geography and its real-world applications, Gaobakwe also launched the Geography Festival. This annual event links the subject to careers in climate science, urban planning, disaster management, and more. It is a celebration of learning with purpose.
Leading by Example: The ‘Change Champions’ Initiative
As a former RCL leader himself, Gaobakwe remembers the lack of guidance and positive role models for many boys in his community. This gap inspired the Change Champions initiative, a programme designed to empower young men to become leaders of integrity, responsibility, and compassion.
“Many of them had no father figures. I saw myself in them. Through Change Champions, we’ve seen real transformation boys learning to communicate, express emotions, and lead with dignity.”
Challenges and Triumphs
Running a grassroots organisation is not without its challenges. Lack of funding, systemic resistance from schools, and limited access to formal platforms often slow progress. But Gaobakwe is driven by something far greater than obstacles.
He shares how survivors of his programmes return to the Foundation, this time as volunteers, committed to lifting others as they were once lifted. This ripple effect is what he considers his greatest reward.
“When young people come back and say, ‘Because of you, I stayed in school’ or ‘I chose not to join a gang,’ I know we are doing something powerful.”
Reimagining Education Through NPO Partnerships
One of Gaobakwe’s ongoing concerns is the failing state of South Africa’s education system and its reluctance to work collaboratively with community-based organisations. He believes that NPOs like his offer agile, relevant, and emotionally intelligent interventions that schools sorely lack.
In response, the GM Sentletse Foundation created a tutoring model that doesn’t just teach academics it builds life skills and values. The model is now being adapted for use in Early Childhood Development (ECD) spaces to address literacy and comprehension gaps from a young age.
Fuelled by ACTIVATE!
Gaobakwe’s growth as a civic leader was catalysed when he joined the ACTIVATE! Change Drivers Network. Through workshops, campaigns, and dialogues, he expanded his knowledge, sharpened his advocacy skills, and built a support system of like-minded activists.
“ACTIVATE! Taught me to unlearn old ideas, learn new strategies, and engage meaningfully with government and institutions. Because of the network, I’ve been in rooms with MECs and education directors. It changed everything.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Gaobakwe envisions a Kimberley where youth are no longer sidelined but empowered, not just through policy but through practical, community-led programmes. He wants to build a leadership academy, expand the Foundation’s work nationally, and develop even stronger collaborations with schools, local government, and civic actors.
For now, his message remains clear: “The change we need will not come from outside. It must start with us, right here in our communities.”
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About the Author:
Sandile Mlangeni is a 2019 GP-based Activator, he is passionate about youth activism. Sandile regards it as important to contribute his views and experiences to recognised entities seeking to develop communities. He started his journey as an activist in 2012 when he started collaborating with community-based organisations in his hometown in Tsakane and Kwa-Thema Ekurhuleni.
