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Eddie NdopuSouth African Disability Rights Advocate
Date of Birth: 29.11.1990
Country:  USA |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Eddie Ndopu was born in Namibia in 1990 to a single mother who fled South Africa during apartheid. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age two, his life expectancy was limited to five years. In 2000, at age nine, he relocated to Cape Town, South Africa.
In 2008, Ndopu graduated from the African Leadership Academy. He earned a Bachelor's degree with honors in Interdisciplinary Studies from Carleton University in Canada. During this time, he was invited to speak about his work as a "Master's Tea" speaker at Yale University.
From 2016 to 2017, Ndopu became the first African student with a degenerative disability to attend Oxford University on a full scholarship. Based at Somerville College, he graduated with a Master's degree in Public Policy.
Work and Activism
Ndopu's participation in the Global Changemakers program led to an invitation to the World Economic Forum on Africa, where he met Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman. During his second year at Carleton University, Ndopu was commissioned by the World Economic Forum, on behalf of Professor Klaus Schwab, to author a "White Paper" on the role of the private sector in addressing the global youth unemployment crisis.
Ndopu served as a Junior Fellow at the Global Minimum InLabs program of the defunct Clinton Global Initiative. He also worked as Africa's Regional Youth Coordinator for Amnesty International. In 2009, Ndopu founded the Global Campaign for Inclusive Education, advocating for the educational rights of children with disabilities in developing countries.
In 2018, Ndopu became a Global Ambassador for Humanity & Inclusion, supporting the rights of children with disabilities in developing countries. He currently serves as a Special Advisor on Impact and Corporate Sustainability to RTW Investments Partners.
Global Impact and Recognition
In 2019, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, appointed Ndopu as one of 17 distinguished Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates. His recognition includes:
- Global Changemaker (2008)
- Pacific Standard's "30 Under 30 Thinkers"- Shaw Trust and Powerful Media's "50 Most Influential Disabled People in the World"
- South Africa's Mail & Guardian's "Top 200 Young South Africans" (2019)
