24 young professionals from 10 African countries join the 10-week programme designed to help build clearer pathways into the sports industry
Johannesburg, South Africa – 17 September 2026 – Champs for Change (C4C) and Ithuba Lethu Sports Hub (ILSH) announce the inaugural cohort of Mentorship in Motion, with 24 young professionals from 10 African countries selected to take part in the 10-week career development and mentorship programme.
The programme brings together emerging professionals from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Uganda.
Selected through a competitive application and interview process, the inaugural cohort reflects the range of talent and ambition emerging across Africa’s sports industry. The participants come from different backgrounds and are at different stages of their careers, but share a common interest in building careers within an industry that extends far beyond what happens on the field.
The inaugural Mentorship in Motion cohort includes:
- Aluchula Tara Kadenyi – Kenya
- Amy Chao Muriuki – Kenya
- Bousso Dieng – Senegal
- Brenda Abeza Kimenyi – Rwanda
- Bruce Kabandana – Rwanda
- Catherine Olusola Aderinboye – Nigeria
- Christianne Murengerantwari – Rwanda
- Coco Hawi Odingo – Kenya
- Daniel Mugaruka – Uganda
- Grace Lizzy Tatiana Sesay – Sierra Leone
- Janfar Ossifo Portugal Mário – Mozambique
- Jerome Nyarko-Mensah – Ghana
- Lusubiro Angel Phiri – Malawi
- Mmusetseng Ramadivhane – South Africa
- Mpumelelo Khoza – South Africa
- Mucyo Alain Pierrick – Rwanda
- Muyumbukazi Winnie Kananura – Rwanda
- Nziza Sebunya – Uganda
- Patrick Joshua Fallah – Sierra Leone
- Samana Kairah Bangura – Sierra Leone
- Sandra Anya – Kenya
- Sharon Ogaji – Kenya
- Tevin Blignaut – South Africa
- Umuringa Ikirezi Rachel – Rwanda
Over the course of 10 weeks, participants will take part in individual mentorship conversations alongside group learning and discussions designed to help them better understand the sports industry, reflect on their goals and make more informed decisions about their professional development.
The programme brings together mentors with experience across different areas of the sports ecosystem, including sports business, commercial strategy, media, leadership, governance and entrepreneurship, with mentors representing leading organisations and businesses in Africa and internationally.
For C4C, the programme is part of a broader focus on the people behind African sport and on creating more opportunities for young people to understand where they can contribute to the industry.
“We are very proud of the quality of this inaugural cohort. These are young people with different experiences, interests and ambitions, but they share a real curiosity about the sports industry and a desire to find their place within it,” said Memuna Williams, Co-Founder, Champs for Change. “Mentorship in Motion is about giving them access to people and perspectives that can help them navigate that journey with greater clarity. We hope the relationships built through this programme will extend well beyond these 10 weeks.”
The partnership with Ithuba Lethu Sports Hub brings together two organisations with a shared interest in developing the next generation of African sports professionals. “Career development is an important part of building a stronger sports ecosystem. Young people need opportunities to learn from those who have already navigated the industry, ask questions, and better understand the different pathways available to them,” said Vuyo Mondi, Non-Executive Director, Ithuba Lethu Sports Hub.
With the inaugural cohort now underway, Mentorship in Motion will focus on creating meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, encouraging active learning and helping participants turn conversations and insights into practical steps for their professional development.
The programme represents another step in Champs for Change and Ithuba Lethu Sports Hub’s shared commitment to developing the human capital behind African sport and helping more young Africans see, access and contribute to the opportunities that exist across the industry.
About Champs for Change (C4C)
Champs for Change (C4C) is a pan-African social enterprise building the human capital behind Africa’s growing sports industry. Founded by Memuna Williams, Clarisse Machanguana, and Randy Soumahoro, C4C’s mission is to equip young Africans aged 16-30 with resources, mentoring, training and networks to transform passion for sport into dignified careers, enterprises, and inclusive industry growth.
About ILSH
Ithuba Lethu Sports Hub is a pan-African sports career development platform focused on creating opportunities for young people to develop their skills, access networks and build meaningful careers across the sports industry.