Executive Director and co-founder of Clowns without Borders South Africa, Ms Lindokuhle ‘Lulu’ Ngcobo, has graduated with a Master of Commerce in Management.
Ngcobo balanced her postgraduate studies with her grass-roots humanitarian work as head of the artist-led humanitarian organisation which is dedicated to improving the psychosocial well-being of children and communities affected by crisis.
Ngcobo’s thesis, titled ‘Effectiveness of Capacity-Building Initiatives: A Case Study of Clowns Without Borders South Africa,’ was supervised by Dr Vangeli Gamede and Professor Matthew Kimanzi. The study – which was done during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid major funding cuts which included USAID/PEPFAR – explored how effectively the organisation equips partner institutions to implement and scale evidence-based positive-parenting programmes.
“By focusing on people and organisational capacity, the study helped us prepare for difficult change-management decisions. It reinforced the importance of resilience, adaptability, and responsible leadership,” she said.
Over the past 12 years, the graduate says she has guided Clowns Without Borders South Africa through exponential growth. She says she brings extensive experience in international cross-border operations and has collaborated with academics, donors, other non-profit organisations, and government teams to deliver pioneering, evidence-based programmes designed for global scale.
“Compared with the public and private sectors, non-profit organisations are sometimes viewed as informal structures addressing small-scale problems – I am committed to challenging that perception. An NPO can be professionally managed, strategically ambitious, and capable of lasting impact at scale. Our organisation has strengthened the capacity of trainers and implementers in more than 23 countries across Africa and beyond, demonstrating that sound business practice with quality programme offering can sustain and expand social-development programmes,” she said.
For Ngcobo, combining her academic achievements with hands-on practice marks a vital step forward for both her leadership and her broader policy goals.
“Through managing organisations and serving on several boards, I have learned that practical experience is most powerful when grounded in sound theory.” she said.
Ngcobo added that her master’s had deepened her understanding of how effective management can address social challenges and inform public policy. “I hope to contribute to South African policies that support children and families and share what I have learned with the next generation of leaders. Ultimately, I want to enter every space with confidence and use both my experience and academic training to fulfil my responsibilities with excellence.”
Appreciating that she could not have successfully walked this journey alone, Ngcobo thanked her family for their unwavering support.
“Their faith in me gave me another reason to finish what I had begun. I wanted my children to understand that education is not only about qualifications; it is also about perseverance, service, and keeping a promise to yourself.”
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini