Shamiso Kumbirai
![profile card avatar](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/7CycgBKL5lVSZdx13WnZex/a61e86007ea487165d4448d4973dc3f9/avatar.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
South Africa
Shamiso is a water engineer with experience in bulk water supply and hydropower engineering across Africa. She works with the fundamental belief that the removal of water as a development constraint and the ability to harness this resource as a tool to help power Africa will positively change the lives of millions. She is also a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and is spearheading the Sani4Schools campaign aiming to upgrade the water and sanitation infrastructure at a no-fee school with over 1200 learners. Through her work, she was invited to attend and speak at the 2018 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. Shamiso is also passionate about advancing women in STEM. Since 2011, she has been involved with WomEng, an organization aimed at empowering the next generation of women in engineering where she served as the Development Director in 2015. She holds a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Cape Town, which focused on participatory planning of water and sanitation projects.
More Leaders Africa
More about the Leaders Program
![A headshot of a young woman smiling at the camera. The young woman has olive skin and brown eyes. She has dark curly hair that hits her shoulders and is wearing a blue denim shirt.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/6u5j7n8uEkRen8BRkznp2A/ac07cff5453a6011952807a54ce8e08e/Leaders-hero.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
Leaders
For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.
Learn More![A person wearing a hoodie with the hood up is shown in profile, crouching down to light a candle. She is seen in profile in the glow of candlelight coming from dozens of votives surrounded by assorted flowers. A set of small votive candles are arranged in the shape of a heart near the person’s foot. Six heart-shaped red balloons float above the vigil.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/FKxULg3d2e4eBYq1phFhP/c449b05124095af9db788179d5138f73/Water-Garden-screenshot-2.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
- The Center
- Building the Center
Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Garden at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.
Learn more![placeholder](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/2UAMGTFAqH11yf0N0rfK09/e0423d2ae1bac8fe757d1658653469c7/OF061022SG_0038_cropped.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
![President Obama speaks on a panel. In the background is a board that reads, "CHICAGO." It is a bright blue color with the Chicago map on the right side.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/Y5lGt1SbXQQM6zM0cWc89/df7cbff0a13744ac0f05e739364616c0/p44chicago2.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Watch
- Barack Obama
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
Learn more