Vanesa Lesego Mahlanyana was born in Ga-Mampuru village (Steelpoort) in Limpopo Province, South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a BA Honours in Psychology from the University of the Western Cape. Vanesa is passionate about community development and empowerment, with a strong focus on mental health advocacy. Her upbringing has shaped her values of compassion, resilience, and service, which inspire her professional journey. Vanesa has worked with the Community Oriented Substance Use Programme (COSUP), where she gained valuable experience supporting individuals struggling with substance use. In her role, she provided care, guidance, and advocacy for vulnerable groups, demonstrating her commitment to improving lives. Eager to learn and grow, Vanesa is determined to leave a lasting impact on society through her dedication to mental health, education, and community development.