Mahlatse Tolamo

Mahlatse Tolamo is the Operations Lead of the Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge which is an initiative of the
the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. With a background in International Relations and Political Science, she is passionate about building robust entrepreneurial ecosystems and advancing socio-economic development across the African continent. She holds both a Bachelor's and an Honours degree in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Pretoria and is currently pursuing an MSc in Sustainable Development at the University of Sussex. Mahlatse’s career journey led her to the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, where she found a unique intersection between her passion for entrepreneurship and her dedication to impactful development work. Prior to this role, she served as the Stakeholder Relations Manager at 22 On Sloane, working closely with the Head of Business and Partnerships. In this role, she played a key role in shaping the organisation’s strategic direction, attracting mission-aligned partners, and cultivating strategic collaborations. Her responsibilities included identifying funding opportunities and supporting entrepreneurs on their growth journeys. Outside of her professional work, Mahlatse is deeply invested in community impact. She is an active member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community – Johannesburg Hub, where she is currently leading an initiative focused on improving SMME access to funding. Through this and other impact-driven projects, she is committed to creating pathways for underrepresented groups—particularly female entrepreneurs—to access opportunities and reach their full potential. Mahlatse is guided by her belief in the transformative power of innovation and collaboration. With her dynamic energy, visionary leadership, and steadfast commitment to change, she is poised to make a lasting impact on Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.