Andile Gaelesiwe

Andile Gaelesiwe is an accomplished artist and personality both on radio and television. She is a key personality to the youth market with many fans, she appeals to a wide range of South Africans, young and mature.

Andile Gaelesiwe is the Ceo and founder of the Open Disclosure Foundation (ODF), an institution founded in aid of survivors of sexual violence. After Andile’s public disclosure about her status as a rape victim/survivor, she identified the need to assist those who like her hadn’t dealt with the issue and still struggled to get through life because of lack of healing. Andile started her healing process by talking about it and helping others, thus the ODF slogan “Talking is therapy and Therapy is healing”. Her passion to assist and help in the process of healing saw the establishment of an Open Disclosure Centre. The centre, situated in the centre of the Jhb CBD is visited on a daily basis by young survivors of sexual offences who are able to receive counselling and life skills for free. The centre is the mainstay of ODF and provides not only a safe haven but also a place of learning, with practical skills being imparted to those who come into contact with the program. In fact, plans are afoot to develop ODF into a venue for formalised skills, development and training initiatives.

Andile’s most remarkable achievement in the field of media, was starting from scratch – a social responsibility department in the country’s only youth radio station and GP’s largest regional radio station, YFM. The concept of a social responsibility division came to her at the same time that she felt inspired to start the ODF. While ODF was an extension of her own pain, Y-cares (YFM’s social responsibility division) was inspired by a need to put the radio station in focus for more than just being the biggest party station. 
These projects were all initiated, conceptualised and materialised by Andile and continue to touch the lives of GP youth, way after she decided to take on bigger challenges outside of the radio station. 
Her experience and understanding of the media and youth market coupled together with her knowledge of social and economical issues are the qualities that have earned her respect within government structures as well as within the South African society.

Andile Gaelesiwe is presently working with the Department of safety & Liaison and the Department of Social Services in Gauteng, where she along with a group of professionals and celebrities/role models, visit schools in GP identified by the dept of safety as those affected by particular cases of violence. The group, under the banner of ODF, visits with the pupils, listens to their experiences points them to the people who will assist, provide counselling, motivate and edu-tain them.

Andile was also asked to chair the section on Youth Issues at the Business Summit 2002 hosted by Blue IQ and Government. It took place from the 24th – 25th October 2002 at the Gallagher estate Convention Centre.

In June 2002 Andile was requested to MC a memorable event by the ANC Youth League, the “Kwaito artists Indaba” where selected members of the music industry had the opportunity to meet with former President Nelson Mandela to discuss issues pertaining to the music industry in South Africa.

Andile Gaelesiwe has finished recording her 4th and most important album to date that was released in December 2005. This new forthcoming album has raised a lot of expectations from a music industry as anxious as it is keen to see how the talented musician will bring together her love for music and her passion for people. Then again, music is her first love and represents a big part of who she is.

Enter Andile the tv presenter scriptwriter, translator and producer in 2006 spearheading and providing sexual health information to youth all over Africa through the show Uncensored on MTVBASE. In 2007 she then moved on to her current show called Khumbul’ekhaya loosely translated “remember home” where she helps south Africans around the world to remember and come back home. Loved by many South Africans you can catch this local and international award winning life changing show khumbul’ekhaya on SABC1 on Wednesday at 9.
Andile’s love for people and social consciousness is evident in the projects she creates and gets involved in. Watch this tv space for more socially responsible television from her production company: ANDILAND CREATIONS

Andile has also taken part in the following events:

• Motivational talks (Women’s day, schools, Private Functions)
• Part of Love Life’s “Celebrate Life” campaign
• MC at major events e.g. Kaizer Chiefs Annual Players Awards season 2000/2001 and 2001/2002; Acer’s Women’s Day banquet and others
• Public Service announcements on Hiv/Aids campaign for “Society for Family Health” and its’ international partner, “Population Services International”.
• She was given an achievement award as a woman leader in support of youth development in 2003 by the Youth Development Trust- named DIVA AFRICA 
• Awarded a white ribbon award in 2002 for making a difference in the fight against sexual violence by a Cape Town based organisation- Women Demand Dignity
• Has also completed a facilitative leadership course at the Institute for social change in Boston Cambridge Usa 
• Perfomed and addressed a packed-to capacity green point stadium in cape town for the Mtv staying alive concert

• Part of the panel chosen to interview President Bill Clinton during his visit to South Africa (televised on Take 5 on SABC 1)

• Chosen as South Africa’s representative for Amnesty international’s launch of their worldwide anti- sexual violence campaign
• MC at the opening of the Ikhaya Lethemba centre for abused women and children.
• Mc at the corporate social initiatives conference gala dinner 2003/4 hosted by the honourable Dr Zola Skweyiya
• Awarded the prestigious Bill Clinton democracy fellowship where she spent 3months in the U.S.A in 2003
• In 2004 Awarded the high profile social entrepreuneurship fellowship by a world renowned social entrepreneur Ashoka, she is now an Ashoka fellow.

Her courage, her strength, her passion and her commitment to Social projects has made Andile one of the most prominent artists & role models in SA. She has brought a new perspective to Social work & has brought a new dimension to celebrities and artists in this country.