ABOUT
Lumbie Mlambo is an award-winning social impact leader and humanitarian entrepreneur transforming access to clean water, sanitation, and opportunity for underserved communities across Africa. As Founder & CEO of JB Dondolo, she has led high-impact initiatives that have improved the lives of more than 120,000 people through sustainable water systems, sanitation solutions, and hygiene programs. Her leadership has delivered measurable change on the ground: women in Zimbabwe who once walked 18 miles for water now travel almost none—reclaiming their time, restoring their dignity, and enabling pathways to economic empowerment. Her work has ensured girls have reliable clean water in schools to support menstrual hygiene and keep them in class. During severe drought, she enabled 500 students at Igusi Primary and Secondary Schools to remain in school through the installation of a borehole and water tank. Lumbie’s commitment to health equity has brought life-saving impact to healthcare facilities as well. At the Igusi Clinic, over 20,000 people benefited from the installation of a modern water filtration system. Her broader water infrastructure projects in Matobo Hills have indirectly supported more than 32,000 residents, strengthening community resilience across the region. Looking toward the future, Lumbie is pioneering innovation through Climate-H2O, a cutting-edge water technology developed in collaboration with Zwonaka and currently engineered at the University of Johannesburg’s PEETS. This solution will enter pilot testing in early 2026, with plans to roll out across water-insecure communities in South Africa—positioning her at the forefront of climate-resilient water solutions. A respected voice for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Lumbie is a convenor of Science Summit Sessions at the United Nations General Assembly, serves as a Hub Lead for the Tony Elumelu Foundation, judges for Africa’s Business Heroes, and is an Ambassador for 10×1000 Tech for Inclusion. She is also known for blending creativity with advocacy through initiatives like Music for Water, which leverages the power of storytelling and culture to mobilize global action.
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