Some stories of influence begin in boardrooms. Helga Leech’s began in hardship — and was forged through years most people would never recover from. Today she is a passionate advocate for the homeless and vulnerable, and she is being honoured at the Influential Awards 2026 – Cape Town Region.

A childhood of farms and hardship

Helga was born and raised in Namibia, in a respected German family. One of a set of twins, she spent many childhood holidays on her grandparents’ farms, learning early the beauty, discipline and hard work of farming life — fruit and vegetables, livestock and game.

But her childhood was far from easy. From a very young age she lived with extreme discipline and physical hardship. She attended three different schools, including Rustenburg Girls’ High School in Rondebosch, Cape Town, and faced severe bullying and emotional struggles along the way.

She found refuge in gymnastics, sport and caring for animals. Even so, the effects of those early years stayed with her into her teens, when she battled serious mental and physical health challenges.

Starting over in Cape Town

In later years, Helga endured further trauma, including an abusive relationship that left deep emotional scars. Still, she kept moving forward, determined to build a better life for herself and her young son.

In March 2002, she relocated to Cape Town with her five-year-old son and began a demanding new chapter as a single mother. For two decades she worked tirelessly to provide for him, carrying the responsibility largely on her own.

Two years on the streets

During the COVID-19 pandemic, her life changed dramatically. After devastating cyberbullying and attacks on her personal and professional identity, Helga and her son lost their home and found themselves living on the streets of Cape Town.

For almost two years they endured homelessness, harsh weather and circumstances that tested every ounce of their strength. Helga describes surviving that time as nothing short of supernatural, crediting her faith in God and what she calls divine intervention for carrying her through some of the darkest moments of her life.

Choosing to make a difference

Helga refused to let those experiences define her. Instead, she chose to use them.

She began speaking openly about her journey and about the realities faced by people living with homelessness, poverty, exploitation, trauma and abuse. Through media and radio interviews — including an appearance on CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit — she has courageously brought attention to issues that are so often hidden from public view.

A voice for the vulnerable

Today, Helga is a passionate advocate for the homeless and vulnerable. She works regularly with non-profit organisations, using her own story to encourage greater compassion, awareness and responsibility in society.

As an independent motivational speaker, she addresses some of South Africa’s most important social issues:

• Human trafficking
• Substance abuse
• Gender-based violence
• Women’s empowerment
• Youth development
• Mental health
• Homelessness

Why Helga Leech is Influential

The Influential Awards honour South Africans whose impact reaches beyond their own success. Helga Leech’s influence was earned the hardest way possible. She has lived through what many of the people she now speaks for are living through — and she has turned that pain into a voice that is helping others be seen, heard and helped.

Helga will be honoured at the Influential Awards 2026 – Cape Town, taking place on Sunday, 29 November 2026 at the Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone.

Congratulations, Helga. Unbroken, and still rising.

---

Connect with Helga Leech