Helping1Another

About Our Founder

Sinothando Manala – Founder of Helping1Another (H1A)

Sinothando Manala holds a Master of Management in Governance (Public Development Sector Monitoring and Evaluation) from the University of the Witwatersrand and has long been passionate about driving meaningful change through education.

Her journey as a changemaker began in 2005, shaped by her upbringing in Hambanathi, a township in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal. During this time, the name 'Helping1Another' emerged, inspired by her deep desire to empower others and bridge the inequalities she saw around her. That same year marked the start of a lifelong commitment to youth empowerment.

First Career Guidance Initiative at Nkosibomvu High School (2012)

Keynote Address at the Launch of Helping1Another (2019)

Interacting with learners at Orlando High School (2025)

In 2012, after observing that many learners lacked the guidance and information necessary to make informed decisions about their futures, she focused her efforts on the education sector, particularly in career development.

This commitment led to the creation of the Tertiary Centralised Prospectus Portal, the first of two initiatives designed to simplify access to career and education guidance for learners across South Africa. The second idea remains an exciting concept she looks forward to exploring as part of her ongoing mission to support young people’s future choices.

Outside of H1A, Sinothando serves as an Innovation Analyst at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), East and Southern Africa Regional Office. Through H1A and beyond, Sinothando blends her background in public policy, shaped during her time at Intel Corporation, with her lived experience and commitment to youth empowerment. Driven by a strong sense of responsibility, she strives to be part of the solution. Like a company with an 'African heart', Sinothando is not just focused on putting people first, but also on using innovation as a powerful tool to drive positive, lasting change.