Mentorship with Tamanda Namangale / Pakhonde
🌻 More possibilities, more access for African Youth.
My name is Tamanda Samantha Alpha Namangale. I’m a 24 year old Malawian Social Entrepreneur, Youth development practitioner & Consultant, Political Scientist, Civic Researcher, Africana Scholar, Writer and Founder of Pakhonde among other things.
Born and raised in a military family in Kamuzu Barracks, Malawi, I’ve lived, learned and built experience across 8+ countries. Growing up around both poverty and affluence shaped my interest in how access to education, resources and opportunity can change the direction of someone’s life.
A little about my background
Education & Leadership
MA in Organizational Leadership candidate; BA in Political Science and Africana Studies from Bates College(U.S), completed in three years; United World College of Southern Africa alumna (Eswatini); Kamuzu Academy and Kalibu Academy alumni(Malawi) ; recipient of the Bates College Civic Leadership Award. Selected as one of two students to serve on the committee revising Bates’ student conduct framework.
Diplomacy & International Affairs
Delegate to multiple UN- and African Union-related convenings and international youth conferences; diplomatic experience with two missions to the United Nations; Member of the African Women Leaders Network, Ambassador with the International Organization of Youth; member of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth and African Young Leaders Foundation.
Politics & Governance
Sole Host and moderator of the 2026 Maine governor’s debate; youth leadership and coordination on a U.S. Senate campaign; political communications lead for a Maine State Senate campaign; Chair of Bates Votes, supporting civic education and voter engagement reaching 5,000+ people annually.
Research, Law & Public Policy
Criminal justice research with Maine District Attorney’s Office, including racial disparities in incarceration; legal reform and community-development research; scholarship on African reparations, historical injustice, climate responsibility, governance, civic education and children’s rights in African boarding schools.
Community Organizing & Youth Development
Youth Programs Coordinator with the Community Organizing Alliance; outreach and community-engagement leadership through Bates College’s Harward Center and Bonner Leaders Foundation; Board Member of Maine’s Youth & Young Adult Advisory Council - working with employers and community organizations to expand education and workforce pathways; prison tutoring and reentry partnerships; mentorship of 500+ young people. Yale Young African & Global Scholars Ambassador.
Writing, Arts & Public Speaking
Spoken-word performances at TEDxBates, Lincoln Center, the Maine Democratic State Convention, Africa Gender Equality Conference; NYC Poetry Slam finalist, NYC Teen Violence walk.
Through Pakhonde, I’m opening 50 free, one-on-one mentorship and opportunity guidance places that I’ll personally facilitate.
My approach is individualized. I want to understand where you are, what you’re interested in and what you’d like to achieve - not just academically or professionally, but as a person.
I’ll help research opportunities that might suit your circumstances, share resources and advice, assist with CVs and applications where useful, explore possible pathways, and connect you with people in my network who may be willing to offer additional guidance.
You might be starting university, pursuing a master’s or PhD, exploring work in government or international organizations, developing a creative career, building an initiative, or simply looking for new possibilities.
All fields and stages are welcome.
Priority will be given to Malawian and African youth, but applications are welcome from elsewhere.
- The initial 50 founder-led mentorship places are free.
- Applications are reviewed based on my capacity and where I can meaningfully offer support, not simply submission order.
- The form will remain open beyond the first 50 places. I’ll return to the interest list as capacity becomes available.
- Future places for personal mentorship with me will follow a paid, sliding-scale model, with terms explained before anyone commits.
- As Pakhonde formally launches, the programme will expand to include a wider network of mentors and different areas of expertise.
