Olerato Mtshweni - From volunteer to storyteller and changemaker

At just 25 years old, Olerato Mtshweni is proving that passion, purpose, and the right platform can transform lives. From Soshanguve, a vibrant township north of Pretoria, Olerato’s journey has been one of resilience, growth, and bold dreams.

Before joining the YES and LeadHERship programme—a youth development initiative by Pizza Hut and the Youth Employment Service (YES)—Olerato was volunteering at The Society for Animals in Distress while navigating the challenges of unemployment. A former model with a deep love for being in front of the camera, she had always dreamed of a career in media and storytelling. But she needed the right opportunity to grow her skills and make an impact from behind the scenes. The LeadHERship programme became exactly that. It provided her with a launchpad into a world where creativity meets impact.

“The moment I saw the advertisement, I knew this programme was for me,” she recalls. “It sounded incredible—an opportunity to sharpen my skills, tell meaningful stories, and connect with like-minded creatives.”

Over the course of the programme, Olerato honed essential skills in media content creation, storytelling, client pitching, and leadership—skills that have since become the foundation of her career and advocacy work. One of her defining moments came when she was nominated to speak as a panellist at the EmpowerHer session, a flagship event hosted by the YES and Pizza Hut LeadHERship programme. There, she shared her story to inspire other young women navigating unemployment and self-doubt.

“I felt a new sense of empowerment—bringing ideas to life, shaping stories. It showed me how much I had grown.”

That growth hasn’t slowed down. Today, Olerato is part of Take 77 Studios, a media production house focused on videography and storytelling that educates and inspires. She’s using the skills she honed through the programme to raise awareness around causes close to her heart—mental health, animal welfare, and sustainability.

“The LeadHERship programme didn’t just give me skills,” she says. “It gave me the courage to use them fearlessly.”

Olerato is also pursuing her Master’s degree in Animal Science, showing that her commitment to learning and personal development is as strong as her passion for making a difference. She continues to use digital storytelling to amplify her advocacies, sharing content that informs, uplifts, and drives real-world impact.

Driven by a bold vision for the future, Olerato has her sights set on becoming the next Miss South Africa. For her, it’s about more than the title—it’s about leading with purpose and using her platform to empower others.

“Soshanguve is my home, and I want to see it thrive. I plan to use my leadership skills to spark a movement of self-driven leaders. We don’t have to wait for change—we are the change.”

To young women looking to follow in her footsteps, her message is simple but powerful: “You are powerful. You are capable. You are enough. Believe in your potential, take up space, and use your voice to create meaningful change.”

Olerato says that the YES and LeadHERship programme has changed her life. She believes in the power of the programme as a launchpad for confident storytellers, bold leaders, and fearless changemakers like herself.