‘I was born to speak on behalf of other people’
Ms Tshinakaho Vhahangwele Tshilamulele
In celebrating Women’s month, Ms Tshinakaho Vhahangwele Tshilamulele says “As an upcoming young female Advocate, means that I should use my voice to make a difference and positive impact in society by empowering and encouraging other young women that it begins with you. Never stop dreaming and take calculated risks.
Tshinakaho Tshilamulele a final year LLB student from the University of Venda during her free time teaches high school and primary school learners through her private tutorial academy. She is currently a Team Leader and Academic Assistant Manager at Skills for the Future, a project under the Directorate of Community Engagement (CE) at the University of Venda, funded by BANKSETA and an Executive Personal Assistant for Dream in Colour Foundation (the foundation that mentored her from her high school years). She is also a young female entrepreneur with an event management and transportation business.
Ms. Tshilamulele was born in Shayandima, a small township within the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. From her prime years, Ms Tshilamulele has always been confident, active and vibrant young girl. “When I was seven (7) years, I was selected to represent my school (Manzere Primary) at an unprepared speech competition within my district and at the first run I reigned supreme, I became an undefeated champion for three (3) consecutive years till they advanced me to join debate competitions, of which I still pioneered”. From then Ms. Tshilamulele discovered her passion which was public speaking. “I then realised that I was born to speak on behalf of other people, and I then started carrying my late grandfather’s constitution to school, preaching to my peers
about their constitutional rights which I had no idea at that age played a very significant role within the justice system”.
When she was in grade seven, Ms Tshilamulele decided that she wants to be an advocate. That is when she started being glued to parliament playing ‘judge’ to all the politicians that were accused of corruption. “My mother would always advise me to watch cartoons like other kids and I was interested”. Going to secondary school (Thohoyandou Secondary) she carried the same spirit of being the voice of the voiceless, and she became her grade representative till she completed her secondary school years. Her teachers then realised how good she was and advised her to participate in the debate competitions.
In 2016, Ms Tshilamulele was one of the few learners selected by a foundation which was adopting young females to groom them to achieving their goals. Under the foundation, she was allocated a mentor, an Advocate by profession, to guide her towards achieving her goal of becoming an Advocate. Her then mentor saw the potential in her and wanted to assist her to reach her goal of becoming an advocate. “This foundation was my ticket to success. This is where I was molded to become the person I am becoming today.” She was then exposed to a broader network through the foundation, and she was entered into a global scholar’s cup debate competition in 2017, wherein she was competing with international learners from all over the world, she went up against 1000 scholars and yes, she was defeated but was able to fall within the top 45 debate champions.
This defeat did not deter her from her main goal, she was more determined to be the best version of herself. After completing her secondary education, she enrolled for Baccalaureus Legum (LLB) at the University of Venda. “I believe I am destined for bigger things, my imagination scares me sometimes, but I love it”.
Ms Tshilamulele extends her gratitude to Professor Netshandama for affording her the opportunity to develop herself through this project of Skills for the Future. “I really feel like this is where I will harness my leadership and writing skills. The skills and experience I will gain from this will help me become the best Advocate that I have the capabilities of becoming”.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 /8710
Date: 30 August 2022
