What happens when a country’s systems are designed without its most vulnerable in mind? Who speaks for the ones overlooked, unheard, and underrepresented? In South Africa, that voice is Mahlogonolo Ngoepe, a legal graduate turned founder who is turning barriers into blueprints for a more inclusive future. But long before this moment, long before her name was tied to pioneering disability inclusion in the country, Mahlogonolo was just a young girl watching her cousin struggle to access the most basic rights, education, employment, and dignity.
That memory never left her. It became her mission.
“I grew up witnessing the challenges my cousin faced with disability, particularly in accessing education, skills development, and employment opportunities,” she says. “This awareness, combined with a strong sense of justice and welfare became the foundation for my career.”
And what a foundation it has been.
From Law to Leadership
Mahlogonolo studied Law, a path that sharpened her understanding of justice and structural inequality. It opened her eyes to the systemic exclusion many students with disabilities faced in universities across South Africa.
“I think this exposed me to the realities of exclusion and systemic barriers faced by many students with disabilities in universities, and I saw the potential for change through inclusive education,” she explains.
But it wasn’t enough to witness the problem. She was determined to be part of the solution. “So I would also find ways to bridge gaps,” she says, describing how she began forming her unique perspective on sustainable solutions for marginalized communities. The desire to create lasting impact took root and soon after, Mahlogonolo’s entrepreneurial journey began.
A Mission to Transform Systems
“I recognised that while policies existed to support people with disabilities, real change required practical implementation,” she shares.
That realization sparked the birth of the Socio Skills Foundation, a nonprofit that supports learners from special schools as they transition into the workforce. It focuses on empowering youth and unemployed women with disabilities—groups often pushed to the margins of South African society.
Later, seeing how technology could scale her impact, Mahlogonolo founded Socio SkillsUp, a disability consulting and technological firm that helps businesses integrate disability inclusion into their structures. The two organizations, one nonprofit and one for-profit, are two sides of the same coin, both built to create opportunities where few existed before.
“Our headquarters are in Pretoria, but we have a national footprint,” she says. “I have a dedicated team across different projects, and we collaborate with various stakeholders to create real impact.”
Her work is deeply informed by her professional background. “I’ve worked for an ICT company that was creating a smart glove sensor for South African Sign Language and another that was creating an elderly monitoring system run by a person with a disability,” she recalls. “My journey is not just about entrepreneurship but about redefining what’s possible for people with disabilities in South Africa.”
Changing the Narrative
Change hasn’t come easily.
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is getting businesses to move beyond just talking about inclusion to actually implementing it in a meaningful way,” Mahlogonolo explains. “Many companies want to be seen as inclusive, but when it comes to hiring people with disabilities, adapting work environments, or investing in accessible skills programs, they hesitate.”
Convincing them that inclusion isn’t just a feel-good checkbox but a real economic opportunity has taken grit, vision, and endless advocacy.
“Funding has also been a challenge, especially in the non-profit space,” she admits. “With Socio Skills Foundation, I’ve had to work hard to show the impact of our programs to secure support.”
But her determination hasn’t wavered. She knows the stakes are too high.
“My mission is simple: to make inclusion more than just a conversation, it must be a reality.”
Stories of Impact and Ripples of Change
One of her proudest achievements? Watching learners from special schools become independent traders, capable of supporting themselves and their communities.
“We’ve helped numerous young people transition to become informal and formal traders, creating ripple effects in their communities,” she says.
This work is already making an impact not just in South Africa, but across the African continent. It’s a testament to what happens when inclusive education, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect.
Empowering the Next Generation
Mahlogonolo’s impact doesn’t stop with disability inclusion. Her heart beats just as strongly for early childhood development and sustainable agriculture.
“I’m deeply passionate about supporting Early Childhood Development centres,” she shares. “I’m working on a project to provide healthy meals for children, particularly in underprivileged areas, as nutrition plays a crucial role in their development.”
Through Rivers of Fountain, she’s empowering young people, especially those with disabilities, to grow their own food and explore entrepreneurship in agriculture.
“These initiatives align with my mission to empower communities and create long-term impact.”
New Projects, New Possibilities
She’s particularly excited about two upcoming campaigns. The first is Walk a Walk in My Disability, an initiative that invites people to experience the everyday challenges of those living with disabilities.
“It’s not just about raising awareness, but about creating actionable change in how we design public spaces, workplaces, and education systems.”
The second campaign, Adopt a Special School Vegetable Garden, encourages schools to establish self-sustaining gardens.
“It not only provides nutrition to students, especially in under-resourced areas, but also teaches valuable agricultural skills,” she explains. “We’re looking for partners to help bring this vision to life in schools across the country.”
Lessons in Leadership and Legacy
If you ask Mahlogonolo what the journey has taught her, she doesn’t hesitate.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Resilience and adaptability are everything,” she says. “I’ve had to pivot, refine my approach, and find creative ways to keep pushing for inclusion, whether through partnerships, technology, or new business models.”
Her advice to aspiring changemakers is clear: “Start small but think big. Focus on creating real value, not just products or services. In the disability inclusion space, understanding the needs of your target audience is crucial.”
“Be prepared for challenges, especially in terms of funding and resources. But stay resilient—creativity, innovation, and a clear mission will help you stand out.”
Above all else, she urges patience and dedication.
“Real impact takes time,” she says. “But when you stay committed, the change is worth it.”
The Heart of It All
Behind every title and every accolade, Mahlogonolo remains grounded in the same values that inspired her as a young girl. Her cousin’s struggle, the gaps in the system, the untapped potential of millions—these are what drive her.
Her journey is not about recognition, but revolution. She’s not just building businesses, she’s building bridges. Bridges to opportunity. Bridges to dignity. Bridges to a South Africa where inclusion is not a policy but a practice, not a hope but a reality.
And as the sun rises again over Pretoria, somewhere in a boardroom or a rural field, Mahlogonolo Ngoepe is still working, quietly, powerfully, relentlessly—so that no one is left behind.
