Tulimelila Shityuwete has more than eight years of experience in human rights. Currently, Tulimelila is Namibian director at Alkimia Consultants, where she focuses on communications and attitude change through human-centered design and therapeutic practice. Tulimelila has worked prolifically in the arts, performing all over the world, training countless Namibian youth, and running the first Namibian contemporary dance company. She has also spent many years promoting LGBTIQ+ and sex worker rights across Africa. Tulimelila holds a bachelor’s degree in African Dance. She has also taken short courses in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Epidemiology, and Nutrition. Tulimelila wants to create opportunities for stronger mental and emotional health among marginalized populations. She credits the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, which she received in 2016, with opening her mind to new methods of working socially, including human-centered design. However, she feels that the most important thing she gained from the Fellowship was confidence and validation of her abilities. Being a Fellowship Alumna has opened myriad doors and remains an incredible source of pride for Tulimelila.
