When the Waterlight Save Initiative (WSI), an ECOSOC-accredited NGO with consultative status at the United Nations, announced the appointment of Mamotake Matekane as its Global Ambassador and Vice President of the Advisory Board, it marked not only a personal milestone but also a continental triumph. For Africa, her appointment is a reminder that the voices shaping global humanitarian and development discourse must include those who understand the challenges, resilience, and potential of the continent.
Just months earlier, Matekane had been honoured by African Leadership Magazine as the Young African Business Leader of the Year 2025. That recognition highlighted her exceptional capacity to transform youthful energy into enterprise and innovation across sectors as diverse as mining, real estate, aviation, and hospitality. Now, with her new role at WSI, she steps onto a wider platform, one that situates her leadership within a global mission to advance sustainable development.
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Matekane’s appointment is more than ceremonial; it is a strategic role designed to put her at the heart of global advocacy and humanitarian innovation. As Global Ambassador, she will champion the organisation’s I-HEAL framework, a holistic model aimed at transforming lives worldwide. The framework encompasses Innovation, Income & Infrastructure; Healthcare & Hygiene; Education & Empowerment; Agriculture, Access to Food & Clean Water; and Living Standards, Leadership & Livelihood Opportunities.
Her responsibilities are expansive. She will represent WSI at United Nations events, international panels, and advocacy campaigns, ensuring Africa’s perspectives are not only heard but drive conversations on poverty alleviation, climate resilience, and gender equity. She will also spearhead global partnerships, building alliances with governments, private sector leaders, and diaspora communities, while mobilising resources to fund transformative projects across Africa and beyond.
In the words of the appointment letter: “Your leadership will not only enhance WSI’s visibility but also strengthen our capacity to mobilise the financial and institutional resources necessary to drive lasting change.” It is a charge that perfectly aligns with her proven ability to merge vision with execution.
Forged in the Fires of Enterprise
Matekane’s suitability for such a role is no accident. As Chief Operations Officer of Matekane Group of Companies (MGC), she has long been at the forefront of driving strategies that have expanded one of Lesotho’s most recognised conglomerates. Her business portfolio spans aviation, real estate, hospitality, and mining, reflecting her versatility and determination to master diverse and often highly regulated industries.
Beyond the family empire, she has pursued her own entrepreneurial ventures, including Organica Global Brands and Masavi Consultancy, alongside leadership roles at Mergence Group Sub-Sahara Africa. Each initiative illustrates a leader unafraid of complexity, committed to building enterprises that are both profitable and socially responsible.
Philanthropy with Quiet Purpose
Yet Matekane’s leadership extends well beyond corporate boardrooms. Through the Lady M Foundation, she has channelled resources to vulnerable groups, children living with cerebral palsy, survivors of human trafficking, and individuals navigating mental health challenges. True to her values, she avoids the spotlight when it comes to philanthropy, insisting that “impact is what matters, not publicity.”
Her humanitarian commitments dovetail with WSI’s own mission of inclusive development, making her appointment not only prestigious but deeply fitting. By bringing together her business acumen and philanthropic passion, she is uniquely positioned to advance WSI’s global vision.
Championing Women and Youth
At the heart of Matekane’s journey is her advocacy for women and young people. She has mentored women entrepreneurs across Africa, from Nigeria to Kenya and Tanzania, equipping them with the tools to build sustainable businesses. Her message is clear and candid: hard work is vital, but true success rests on strategy, networks, and resilience.
Her ascent in male-dominated industries such as infrastructure and aviation has turned her into a role model, proving that leadership is not about commanding but about inspiring. This makes her a natural choice for WSI, which places women and youth at the centre of its transformative agenda.
Despite her global responsibilities, Matekane remains grounded by faith and family. She draws her ethical compass from biblical principles and is open about the spiritual discipline that anchors her decisions. At the same time, she prioritises her role as a mother, ensuring that her children never miss the warmth of her presence, whether she is cheering at a football match or picking them up from school. For her, leadership begins at home, where values are nurtured and legacies are built.
When Africa’s Light Meets the World
Mamotake Matekane’s appointment as Global Ambassador and Vice President of the Advisory Board for WSI symbolises more than personal achievement, it is a signal to the world that Africa’s leaders are not just participants but architects of global progress. By placing her at the helm of advocacy, diplomacy, and resource mobilisation, WSI has entrusted her with a mandate that resonates across continents.
Her journey, from being named Young African Business Leader of the Year 2025 to now becoming a distinguished voice at the United Nations stage, is both inspiring and instructive. It reminds us that Africa’s story is not one of deficit, but of possibility of leaders like Mamotake Matekane who carry the torch of resilience, innovation, and compassion onto the global stage.
