New Student Highlight: Ntsikelelo Colossa
Ntsikelelo Colossa, known professionally as Ntsika Rise, is a South African traditional healer, prophet, activist, writer, and multidisciplinary artist from Gauteng. His work is deeply rooted in indigenous spirituality, social justice, cultural preservation, and creative expression, positioning him as a transformative voice in both community development and contemporary African thought.
At the core of Ntsikelelo’s mission is a strong commitment to equality between men and women. He is a passionate advocate for restoring balance, respect, and harmony in relationships, challenging harmful gender norms and promoting positive masculinity. As a National Steering Committee member of We Will Speak Out South Africa (WWSOSA), he works with communities, faith leaders, and civil society to confront gender-based violence (GBV) and encourage accountability, healing, and social change. His advocacy is grounded in the belief that a just society can only exist where men and women are equal, valued, and empowered.
Ntsika Rise is also the founder of the Colossa Foundation, an initiative dedicated to community upliftment, healing, education, and social transformation. Through the foundation, he leads programs that focus on gender equality, youth empowerment, cultural education, and holistic wellness. The Colossa Foundation serves as a platform for outreach, dialogue, and practical interventions that support vulnerable communities and promote sustainable, values-driven development.
As a traditional healer and founding member of the Ikhwelo Healers Collective, he is deeply committed to holistic healing through natural herbs and indigenous medicine. His practice integrates ancestral wisdom with modern perspectives, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He actively promotes the use of plant-based healing and works to preserve and legitimize indigenous knowledge systems within broader health and research spaces.
In addition to his healing work, Ntsikelelo Colossa is a writer and thought leader, producing reflective essays, teachings, and cultural commentary. His writing explores:
- Equality and harmony between men and women
- Healing from trauma and restoring dignity
- Indigenous knowledge systems and spirituality
- Masculinity, identity, and rites of passage
- Decolonization and African-centered knowledge
His intellectual contributions support education, advocacy, and dialogue across community platforms and international collaborations.
As an artist, performing under the name Ntsika Rise, he creates Afro-soul and spiritually infused music that reflects themes of healing, unity, identity, and transformation. His work resonates both locally and internationally, bridging culture and consciousness through sound.
He has also contributed to the South African television industry with appearances in productions such as Zabalaza and Rockville. Through Kwa Colossa Holdings, he operates as a cultural entrepreneur, developing artists and producing content that celebrates African heritage and storytelling.
Ntsika Rise’s work extends globally through international collaborations (CoLab) with organizations, artists, and researchers. These collaborations focus on indigenous knowledge exchange, gender equality, cultural preservation, and sustainable development, positioning him as a global advocate for African-centered solutions and cross-cultural dialogue.
He is also involved in permaculture and land stewardship initiatives, promoting ecological sustainability, food sovereignty, and the preservation of indigenous environmental knowledge. His approach reflects a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness between people, nature, and spirit.
Through his work as a healer, activist, writer, and artist, Ntsikelelo Colossa continues to champion a powerful vision: healing individuals and communities, restoring the balance between men and women, and building a future grounded in equality, dignity, and indigenous wisdom.
Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu – I am because we are.
