UNHCR appoints SA’s Nomzamo Mbatha as Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), on Monday announced the appointment of South African actress and human rights activist Nomzamo Mbatha as a one of its Goodwill Ambassadors.

Mbatha has worked in close cooperation with the UNHCR as a High Profile Supporter and advocate for UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu campaign since 2017, raising awareness for refugees in Africa.

Her engagement includes visits to refugee camps and settlements in Malawi, Kenya and South Sudan. She also spoke at the TEDxKakumaCamp, held in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, the first ever TEDx event to be hosted in a refugee camp.

UN Refugee Agency Commissioner Filippo Grandi, welcomed the appointment, “It is with great delight that we welcome Nomzamo Mbatha to the UNHCR family,”

Grandi added, “She has shown tireless commitment to shining a light on refugee situations across Africa and I look forward to seeing her inspire many more people in this new role.”

Her appointment comes at a time when war, conflict and persecution have forced over 68 million people to flee their homes – the highest level of displacement ever recorded. Over 25 million of these are refugees, with Sub-Saharan Africa hosting over 31 per cent of the global refugee population.