About Us

Our Founder

Lethabo Monametsi is a dance performing artist, art enthusiast, and humanitarian. She started dancing at 13 years old, an age considered as late in the dance world. However, through her unwavering dedication and passion, she progressed from a beginner dancer to a world quarter finalist in just three years. In 2022 under team Urban Wave, she won SABC 1’s ‘Dance Yo Dumo,’ a TV dance competition show that focuses on dancers’ versatility across diverse styles.

She is trained in Latin American, Ballroom, Ballet, Contemporary, Setswana Traditional, Hip Hop, Afro, and Amapiano.

Lethabo is passionate about highlighting the importance of the arts in education and economic growth in South Africa. She believes that art education should be accessible to all, and not just those in private schools or specialised institutions. She is a firm believer that every young aspiring artist deserves the chance to explore their talents, gain industry skills, and learn how to sustain themselves in the arts, irrespective of their socioeconomic background.

She is also a committed speaker at youth empowerment events, aiming to inspire children to envision lives beyond their socioeconomic constraints.

In her schooling years, she was head prefect for three consecutive years and, due to her leadership and excellence in dance and academics, was nominated for the 5th Annual Vita Basadi Youth Dignitary award at 16 years old. Out of 107 nominees, she received the Youth Dignitary award, which honours young leaders who set exemplary standards for their peers.

At 21 years old, Lethabo was selected to be a 2024 Global Changemaker and as part of her selection she attended the fully-funded international Global Youth Summit in Cape Town as one of the 50 Global Changemakers chosen across the world.

Our Why

Lethabo Monametsi founded the Gaopalelwe Foundation with a heartfelt desire to nourish the lives of artistically gifted youth in underserved communities, helping them feel seen, invested into, and worthy of their dreams.

Dance unlocked aspects of herself that she never imagined existed, leading to immense personal growth
thanks to the mentors who guided and believed in her.

She thus desires for youth to experience the same transformative impact that comes from being believed
in and supported.

Lethabo Monametsi founded the
Gaopalelwe Foundation with a heartfelt desire to nourish the lives of artistically gifted youth in underserved communities, helping them feel seen, invested into, and worthy of their dreams.

Dance unlocked aspects of herself that she never imagined existed, leading to immense personal growth
thanks to the mentors who guided and believed in her.

She thus desires for youth to experience the same transformative impact that comes from being believed
in and supported.