Lesego Kobuwe
Johannesburg
Summary
Dynamic and innovative professional prepared for impactful roles, with a knack for relationship building, communication and collaboration and a strong foundation in business development, curriculum development and advocacy skills.
Demonstrates exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities, coupled with a proven track record and capacity to work effectively under pressure. Highly responsible and reliable, with advanced computer skills that enhance operational efficiency. Skilled in public speaking and strategic planning and committed to leveraging these competencies to drive organizational success and achieve career growth in challenging environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
IYFutures Project Manager
YMCA South Africa & World YMCA
Johannesburg , South Africa
09.2025 - Current
- Project Manager for a global initiative (IYFtures) to connect underserved young people with Meaningful Work -employment that is fair, fulfilling, and contributes to individual and community wellbeing.
- Role includes developing comprehensive project plans, outlining scopes, timelines, and resources, facilitating smooth execution.
- Facilitating regular team meetings and stakeholder updates, fostering open communication and collaborative problem-solving.
- Leading cross-functional local teams to deliver project activities within budget and on time.
- Curriculum and project development for local teams In South Africa aligned with other Country Leads.
Administrative Coordinator
YFC Youth Week
Johannesburg, South Africa
06.2024 - Current
- Part of a team that coordinated administration, registrations, logistics, and on-site operations for YFC Youth Week Camp for +350 campers, ensuring smooth camp execution.
- Acted as a key liaison between admin teams, volunteers, facilitators, and leadership, supporting communication and problem-solving.
- Led data collection and reporting, including attendance tracking and participant feedback for post-event evaluation.
- Designed and facilitated a University & Career Guidance elective for ±25 youth, integrating career planning with faith, purpose, and calling.
Partnerships, Communications & Advocacy Coordinator
YMCA South Africa
01.2025 - 01.2026
- As the Partnerships, Advocacy, and Communications Coordinator for YMCA South Africa, my role involves developing and implementing strategies to build impactful partnerships, drive advocacy initiatives, and enhance organizational visibility. My role also includes identifying and maintaining relationships with stakeholders across government, corporate, and civil society sectors to align with the organization's mission.
- I oversee the creation of compelling communication materials, manage media relations, and coordinate social media efforts to drive awareness and engagement.
- I Facilitate coalition-building by identifying common goals among various partner organizations and fostering collaborative work environments.
- Additionally, I seek funding opportunities for the different YMCA programs across several provinces and within the role I also coordinate some activities and programs to meet organizational goals and targets.
Facilitator
Engage South Africa
06.2019 - 01.2026
- Senior Facilitator at Engage South Africa under the my.voice and my.initiative programs and other ad-hoc facilitation with the mission to empower young people to ENGAGE, SPEAK and LEAD in our democratic society.
- 6 years experience as a Senior Facilitator on different topics including but not limited to leadership, civic engagement, democracy, governance, communication, conflict management, voter education, life skills, 21st century skills, and community mapping
- Foster an inclusive learning environment by addressing diverse needs and adapting facilitation techniques as needed.
Facilitator
More Than A Teacher
Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2025 - 12.2025
- Facilitated open discussions for a group of 20 -25 interns, encouraging diverse viewpoints and collaborative problem-solving.
- Employed a variety of assessment tools to evaluate participant progress and understanding.
- Fostered a culture of continuous learning, encouraging participants to pursue further development opportunities.
- Developed and delivered training materials, incorporating visual aids and interactive elements for enhanced understanding aligned with the
Partnership Consultant
Engage South Africa
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Liaised with partners during consulting processes to ensure satisfaction throughout engagements.
- Developed and maintained partnerships across various industries aligned with organizational vision and objectives.
- Managed over 25 partner relationships through regular check-ins and updates on project progress and new collaboration opportunities.
Partnership and Business Development Officer
Engage South Africa
01.2022 - 12.2024
- Development of current and new marketing materials and development and implementation of fundraising and partnership strategies
- Secured long-term funder and partnership relationships by helping the team consistently deliver high-quality programs.
- Development of organizational, funding and partnerships strategies.
- Developed and maintained Income-generating service targets.
- Development and maintenance of over 40 national and international partnerships aligned with organizational vision and mission
- Market research to identify new business opportunities
- Social Media/Content and internal Communications Development and Management
- Curriculum Development, Design and Implementation.
- Implemented innovative marketing campaigns that effectively communicated value propositions to target audiences.
Business Development Officer
Enke: Make Your Mark
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Identified and consulted with potential organizations and business opportunities leading to income generation
- Collaborated to draw up grant and funding proposals, reports, action plans and concept notes
- Evaluated the business strengths, and weaknesses and developed high-impact strategies for fundraising and development
- Worked with executives to implement marketing strategies and new opportunities and also engaged in stewardship
Educational Officer/Curriculum Developer
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
09.2020 - 04.2021
- Developed and Facilitated diverse curriculum modules on different topics to enrich the learning experience
- Helped to maintain over 15 youth clubs across Gauteng
- Worked well independently and on a team to solve problems
- Collaborated on projects with different organizations with tact and a strong attention to detail
- Maintained meticulous logs and records of activities
- Proactively engaged with different stakeholders at all levels
Business Management Tutor
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
06.2019 - 11.2020
- Facilitated engagement in class tutorials with prescribed course material while nurturing students' learning experiences and fostering an engaging, productive, and enjoyable learning atmosphere
Program Coordinator
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
02.2019 - 12.2019
- As a program coordinator for the IIE MSA LEAD (Leading Entrepreneurs for African Development) program, I had the responsibility of working in partnership with the International Youth Foundation to identify, recruit, support, and train young social entrepreneurs across South Africa.
- Collaborated with team members on event planning and execution, resulting in successful campus events and activities.
- Coordinated logistics for meals, transportation and program delivery.
- Facilitated workshops on various topics such as leadership development, conflict resolution, and effective communication techniques for better interpersonal skills among selected participants.
Student Program Coordinator
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
02.2018 - 11.2019
- My Role included communicating with the various stakeholders that included funders, schools,volunteers, learners and partners) to ensure the delivery and success of the Saturday School program
- I had the responsibility of recruiting, training and leading volunteers while also creating course and curriculum material for +- 90 learners
- Additionally my role also included working with and within the University Community Engagement/ Student Affairs Department by running events, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation and also looking into logistics for programs and the events we had on Campus.
- Maintained detailed records of program activities and participant data, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
- Developed comprehensive training materials for volunteers, elevating quality of program delivery.
Student Assistant/Representative
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
03.2016 - 11.2019
- Worked as a Student Assistant and Student representative for the Sales and Marketing Department
- My roles included showing potential students and their parents around the campus, hosting student events, capturing information of potential students, and being a brand ambassador on campus
- Provided critical support during enrollment periods, streamlining process for both students and staff.
Education
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Education
University of The Witwatersrand
Johannesburg12.2023
Postgraduate Diploma - Business Leadership
IIEMSA (Monash South Africa)
Johannesburg02.2020
Bachelor of Social Science - Specialization in Psychology and Business Management
IIEMSA (Monash South Africa)
Johannesburg12.2018
Matric National Certificate -
Krugersdorp High School
Johannesburg12.2015
Skills
- Adaptability
- Stakeholder engagement
- Curriculum development
- Fundraising strategies
- Partnership management
- Conflict resolution
- Strategic planning
- Time management
- Program coordination
- People Management
- Decision making capacity
- Written and verbal communication
- Budgeting oversight
- Social media management
- Salesforce CRM
- Leadership Skills
- Innovative
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Highly responsible and reliable
- Microsoft Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
- Administrative management
- Cross-cultural sensitivity
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with NBA Africa and WNBA for a workshop on GBV on woman's day for 25 young girls - this included developing curricula and implementing a training session for the young girls.
- Global Entrepreneurship Summer School 2024 Alumni Participant.
- The Intergenerational Dialogue, 01/09/2024 - 02/12/2024 - Co-led and coordinated a dynamic event co-hosted by YMCA South Africa,UN Foundation, Engage South Africa, and the Lead Like Mandela Institute at the African Leadership Academy. With over 150 attendees, the event fostered intergenerational collaboration, addressing social justice issues and contributing insights to the UN 2100 Roadmap and Pact for the Future.
- Youth Advocacy Festival, 09/01/22 - 02/28/23 - Planned, coordinated and Implemented a Youth Advocacy Festival over 2 days in partnership with the University of Pretoria with over 800 young people from 3 different provinces and over 21 civil society organizations participating in the 2-day event.
- 2019 Certificate of Completion and Competence with distinction as a Business Management Tutor, Youth Advocacy Festival
- Global Entrepreneurship Summer School 2018 Participant, Cape Town, The Global Entrepreneurship Summer School (GESS) is a program of the Social Entrepreneurship Academia organized in cooperation with seven leading university-based entrepreneurship centres in Munich, Shanghai, Mexico, and South Africa. The program is an opportunity for selected young people to develop entrepreneurial solutions that meet the world's biggest challenges.
- Monash South Africa Top Achiever Awards, Johannesburg, Rewarded with the 2018 excellence award for community engagement for the volunteer and entrepreneurship work that I had done that could be recognized nationally and internationally.
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Setswana
Proficient
C2
Isizulu
Intermediate
B1
Sepedi
Elementary
A2
Afrikaans
Elementary
A2
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesegokobuwe-5541aa11
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
IYFutures Project Manager
YMCA South Africa & World YMCA
09.2025 - Current
Facilitator
More Than A Teacher
01.2025 - 12.2025
Partnerships, Communications & Advocacy Coordinator
YMCA South Africa
01.2025 - 01.2026
Partnership Consultant
Engage South Africa
01.2025 - 04.2025
Administrative Coordinator
YFC Youth Week
06.2024 - Current
Partnership and Business Development Officer
Engage South Africa
01.2022 - 12.2024
Business Development Officer
Enke: Make Your Mark
05.2021 - 12.2021
Educational Officer/Curriculum Developer
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
09.2020 - 04.2021
Facilitator
Engage South Africa
06.2019 - 01.2026
Business Management Tutor
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
06.2019 - 11.2020
Program Coordinator
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
02.2019 - 12.2019
Student Program Coordinator
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
02.2018 - 11.2019
Student Assistant/Representative
IIE MSA (Monash South Africa)
03.2016 - 11.2019
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Education
University of The Witwatersrand
Postgraduate Diploma - Business Leadership
IIEMSA (Monash South Africa)
Bachelor of Social Science - Specialization in Psychology and Business Management
IIEMSA (Monash South Africa)
Matric National Certificate -
Krugersdorp High School