More than 120 years after Charlotte Mannya Maxeke made history by becoming the first Black South African woman to graduate from a university in the United States, her commitment to education continues to open doors for young women.
Her legacy is being carried forward through the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Trust Fund, an initiative designed to help female students overcome financial barriers that could force them to abandon their university studies.
The fund places particular emphasis on students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications, providing support where outstanding fees, registration costs or other financial shortfalls threaten their ability to remain at university.
Keeping Maxeke’s Vision Alive
Dr Zanele Matsane, an ambassador for the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute, said the education initiative was especially significant this year as it marks 125 years since Maxeke graduated.
Speaking at the inaugural International Portraits of Power exhibition, Matsane said the fund was intended to ensure that Maxeke’s achievements continued to inspire future generations.
The event was organised by the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute alongside The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa and participating diplomatic missions.
Matsane, who lectures in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying at the University of Johannesburg, stressed that empowering women requires more than simply helping them pay university fees.
Education Is About More Than Money
According to Matsane, access to networks and meaningful relationships can be just as important as financial assistance when young women are trying to build successful careers.
She used the event to encourage diplomats and other influential figures to create opportunities for young women by giving them access to international networks, professional relationships and new perspectives.
She said exposing students to different cultures, disciplines and histories could help them understand the wider world and prepare them for leadership roles.
Building Bridges Across Borders
The foundation hopes to connect the young women it supports with people from different countries and backgrounds, allowing them to learn from the experiences of women who have already made their mark internationally.
Matsane said keeping the doors of influential institutions open to young women could create opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach.
The initiative therefore seeks to combine education with mentorship, cultural exchange and professional networking.
Opportunities Can Change Lives
Khonzi Zondi, co-founder and managing director of Joncto & Zondi Inc. and an ambassador for the foundation, also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young women.
Zondi said her own career was made possible by access to education and opportunities created by those who came before her.
She described the partnership around the education trust as an opportunity to help shape the future of young women in South Africa and beyond.
For Zondi, Maxeke’s story demonstrates how education can become a gateway to professional opportunities, relationships and social advancement.
Portraits of Power Brings Women Together
The message of empowerment extended beyond the education fund at the International Portraits of Power exhibition.
The initiative is designed as both an art exhibition and a mentorship platform, bringing together women leaders from around the world, diplomats, artists, cultural practitioners, art students and emerging female leaders.
Through direct interaction with international role models, participants are given opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from different experiences and develop new professional connections.
The exhibition features portraits endorsed by 15 participating embassies representing countries from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania.
Celebrating Women Who Changed History
The Pretoria exhibition was launched on Tuesday as part of a series of legacy projects marking the 155th anniversary of Maxeke’s birth.
It celebrates women whose leadership, courage and achievements have influenced societies and inspired generations.
The timing also carries particular significance as South Africa observes Women’s Month under the theme “Empowered Women Empower the Nation.”
More than a celebration of Maxeke’s past achievements, the initiatives aim to turn her legacy into practical opportunities for women today.
By supporting education, building international networks and creating spaces for mentorship, the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Trust Fund hopes to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent talented young women from completing their studies and pursuing leadership opportunities.
