Lumka Ndileka Gogela

Lumka Gogela from South Africa joined Special Olympics in 2019 after participating in a school event that opened her eyes to the power of inclusion and the joy of Unified Sports. Since then, she has taken on active leadership roles as an Athlete Leader, organizing community outreach events and supporting younger athletes in beginning their own Special Olympics journeys. Lumka also serves as a youth representative in her local club and volunteers with school-based sports programs that promote awareness and understanding of intellectual disabilities. Her involvement has helped her grow as a leader and strengthened her passion for building inclusive communities. As a member of the Global Youth Leadership Council, she is excited to continue her advocacy work on a larger scale. She hopes to help create more opportunities for youth with and without intellectual disabilities to lead together, grow together, and build a more inclusive and united future.