UNFPA (The United Nations Population Fund is the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, working to achieve zero unmet family planning needs, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence by 2030. It operates in over 150 countries to support maternal health, youth reproductive health and rights.
Botlhale Boikanyo has been officially unveiled as the new UNFPA regional Ambassador for Southeast Africa.
The appointment recognizes Botlhale as one of Africa’s most influential voices, joining other acclaimed ambassadors including Former Miss South Africa Shudu. Her main responsibilities will include advocacy and engaging with communities and leaders from the grassroots to world stages like the United Nations.
She will be working with UNFPA as a public advocate for the Programme of Action (PoA) adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994.
The PoA is a landmark global agreement that fundamentally shifted population policy from focusing on numbers to prioritizing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and women's empowerment. “My relationship with UNFPA has been transformative. I have been privileged to learn about the impactful work they do, especially with vulnerable populations,” said Boikanyo.
“I am thrilled that I can speak about some of the work we are going to be doing together. I am inspired by the work of the UNFPA, and I hope to hit the ground running by connecting with the communities and the women and girls who benefit from UNFPA missions. My first year will be dedicated to making these connections and building community with the girls and women.
“I want to meet the women who are harnessing their self-expression to promote the rights of girls and women to their bodily autonomy. The work the UNFPA does is critical to our collective human survival. Reproductive rights and health are some of the most pressing issues of the modern era.”
Botlhale Boikanyo made history as the first poet to win ‘South Africa’s Got Talent.’ Since her win, she has established herself as a leading lady of South African film and TV. Her credits include a five-year run on the hugely popular e.tv soap opera, ‘Scandal’ and leading roles in films ‘The Deal’, ‘What about the boys’ and ‘The Salon Chronicles.’
As a poet, Botlhale has performed at presidential inaugurations, and was invited to perform for the Nelson Mandela event in New York, where she was appointed a ‘hope of change’ ambassador alongside Charlize Theron,
Botlhale is a Mandela Washington fellow, under President Barack Obama’s flagship programme, The Young African Leaders and one of “The Mail and Guardian’s” 200 young South Africans you need to know.
Botlhale recently graduated with an Honours Degree in filmmaking from Wits University.
