Top achiever, Ismail Joosub (26), has been named among South Africa’s most influential young leaders, after being selected as one of the Mail & Guardian’s top 200 Young South Africans for 2026 and being in the top 12 in the prestigious Politics & Governance category. A law graduate from the University of Pretoria, Ismail is the manager of the Constitutional Advancement Programme at the FW de Klerk Foundation, where his work focuses on Constitutional Democracy, Accountable Governance, Public Policy and Civic Participation. Ismail is involved in South Africa’s National Dialogue, serving within its steering structures and co-chairing the Public Mobilisation Subcommittee. Reflecting on the recognition, Ismail told the Laudium Sun, “To be recognised among South Africa’s most influential young people is an extraordinary honour. It affirms the importance of the work I have chosen to do and the responsibility that comes with having a voice in the national conversation. My involvement in the National Dialogue championed by President Cyril Ramaphosa reinforced my belief that history is shaped by those prepared to enter the arena, assume responsibility and help influence the direction of the country. This recognition gives me even greater conviction to keep contributing at the highest level I can – to engage the difficult questions, help shape serious national conversations and play a meaningful role in South Africa’s future.”
*Ismail is the son of Mohammed Sheraz and Follow us on Follow us on Aneeza Joosub of Ermelo, with deep family links to Laudium. He is the grandson of the late Ismail Joosub Moonda of Ermelo and Zohra Ismail NM Ebrahim Gooma of Laudium and the late Abdul Hamid Aboo Gani and late Farida Katchie of Laudium. His national recognition therefore carries special significance for a family that remains closely connected to the Laudium community.