Founded in 2021 in Gqeberha, the Mbasa Qilingele Foundation is a grassroots nonprofit born from the vision of disabled powerlifting champion Mbasa Qilingele. Our mission is to provide a platform for disabled youth to thrive, access opportunities, and be heard.
We champion Inclusivity, Ubuntu, Diversity, and Excellence — grounded in Integrity and Transparency.
YEARS OF CARE
To empower disabled youth through sport, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, creating a platform where they can thrive, live their best lives, and access the resources they need to succeed.
A world where youth with disabilities are celebrated, included, and fully supported to lead, achieve, and inspire — on and off the field.
We act with honesty, fairness, and accountability in all we do.
We strive for the highest standards in everything we undertake.
We believe in the power of humanity, community, and shared strength.
We embrace all identities, perspectives, and abilities.
We design every program to ensure no one is left behind.
We communicate openly and operate with clear accountability.
Mbasa Qilingele’s excellence in Para-Powerlifting has not gone unnoticed. As a proud athlete from the Nelson Mandela Metro District, she is supported by the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport (ECAS) — an institution that nurtures high-performance athletes across the province.
Her journey is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets opportunity — and the Mbasa Qilingele Foundation is committed to unlocking that same potential in others.
"We believe in growing champions, both on and off the field. Mbasa is proof of what strong support and perseverance can achieve."
The Mbasa Qilingele Foundation was born in 2021 in Gqeberha — inspired by the journey of Mbasa Qilingele, a disabled powerlifting athlete who turned personal struggle into a powerful mission.
Mbasa’s path in sport taught her more than discipline and strength — it revealed the visible and invisible barriers that stand in the way of disabled youth across South Africa.
She knew she wasn’t alone, and she refused to let others face the same journey without support. What started as a local outreach effort quickly evolved into a grassroots movement — offering mentorship, skills training, advocacy, and inclusion through sport.
Today, the Foundation is a growing force for equity, inclusion, and opportunity — proving that disability is not inability, and that every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Led by Experience. Driven by Purpose.
Focused on Impact.
At the Mbasa Qilingele Foundation, we don’t just support disabled youth — we center them. Our programs aren’t about charity — they’re about capacity, dignity, and opportunity.
We believe in leadership from within, which is why our work is guided by lived experience, and why our founder — a disabled athlete herself — is at the heart of everything we do.
We bridge gaps between communities, policy makers, and partners to ensure that youth with disabilities aren’t only included — they’re leading.
This isn’t aid. It’s empowerment with purpose.
You don’t need to wear a cape to be a changemaker — just the heart to show up.
Change doesn’t happen alone — it takes community, commitment, and people like you.
Whether you’re volunteering your time, sharing our story, donating resources, or building partnerships, your support helps us empower disabled youth to rise, lead, and thrive.