Uyanda Sibiya is a visionary executive leader, social impact champion, and global advocate for the Deaf community, with over 20 years of experience in corporate social investment (CSI), stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy.
As the Chairman of Uyanda Mbuli Corporation (UMC), she has led strategic initiatives that bridge business and social good, aligning organizations with sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, and systemic impact.
She currently serves as the Global Advocate for the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA), where she has been at the forefront of advancing the rights of 4.4 million Deaf South Africans. She played a pivotal role in securing the official recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) and continues to mobilize funding and corporate partnerships to ensure Deaf individuals have access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and social inclusion. Her advocacy extends to high-level government, corporate, and multilateral engagements, making her a leading voice in disability rights and inclusive development.
In addition to her advocacy and executive leadership roles, she serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) Board, contributing to governance, child rights, and social impact strategies. This role strengthens her commitment to inclusive development, child protection, and systemic change.
Beyond advocacy, Uyanda is a seasoned strategist and policy influencer, having served in executive roles across corporate, government, and media sectors. As the former Deputy Director General of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, she spearheaded large-scale public- private partnerships (PPPs), investment mobilization, and enterprise development initiatives that contributed to Gauteng’s economic growth. Her leadership at the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and City Power further solidified her expertise in stakeholder relations, strategic communication, and governance.
She has also played a significant role in media and brand strategy, serving as Executive Manager at
SABC1, where she led the rebranding of South Africa’s largest TV channel, reaching over 15 million viewers. Her ability to use media as a tool for social change continues to shape her advocacy
work. She has also executive produced several TV shows, including her own TV show, Uyanda It’s On.
A dedicated philanthropist, Uyanda founded the Uyanda Mbuli Youth Empowerment Project, which has provided education and employment opportunities for marginalized youth for over 28 years. She has held board leadership roles at the Gauteng Film Commission and TARA Hospital, further demonstrating her commitment to governance and systemic impact.
Uyanda’s strategic influence extends into sports, where she led the development of Netball South Africa’s strategic plan and governance framework, ensuring that sports development became a vehicle for social transformation.
Her work has earned her a reputation as a thought leader in corporate social investment, advocacy, and policy influence, making her a sought-after speaker and advisor on social impact, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and systemic change.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the Western Cape, a Diploma in Sales and Marketing Management, and is currently pursuing an MPhil in Corporate Strategy to advance SASL into Early Childhood Education through research which will produce a white paper for parliament.