Thuso Mbedu may be celebrated on international red carpets, but her most meaningful work is happening far from the spotlight. In June 2025, the Emmy-nominated actress partnered with UNICEF and local NGOs to launch the “Safe Girls Project”—a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting and educating vulnerable teenage girls across South Africa.
Rooted in her passion for advocacy, the project provides safe learning environments, mentorship programs, and life skills training for girls facing poverty, abuse, or unstable living conditions. Thuso’s goal is simple but powerful: to ensure that every girl feels safe, seen, and supported, no matter her background.
What sets Thuso’s involvement apart is her hands-on approach. She isn’t just lending her name—she’s visiting schools, speaking with young girls, and working closely with community leaders to tailor the program’s outreach. Her own experiences growing up in South Africa give her a deep understanding of the challenges many girls face, making her advocacy feel authentic and urgent.
Through the Safe Girls Project, Thuso is using her voice to break cycles of neglect and silence. The initiative also includes emotional wellness resources, awareness on gender-based violence, and pathways to re-enroll girls who’ve dropped out of school due to unsafe environments. It’s a bold, comprehensive effort to change lives—not just for the moment, but for the long haul.
Thuso Mbedu’s journey proves that real heroes don’t just act on screen—they act in real life. With courage and compassion, she’s making sure that South Africa’s next generation of girls grows up not just surviving, but thriving.
