People with Purpose: Tendayi Ganga

When Tendayi Ganga says “we are born to shine,” it’s not just a phrase, it’s a life philosophy, a rallying cry, and a lived reality. From the frontlines of international peacekeeping to dance floors in Canberra filled with mothers and daughters reclaiming their strength, her journey is a reminder of what one person can ignite when they refuse to be dimmed.

Today, Tendayi is a Registered Nurse and Quality and Safety Audit Officer. But her story stretches far beyond clinical rooms and policy checklists. She is also a former Police Chief Inspector, a United Nations peacekeeper, a keynote speaker, a published author, a Pastor, and the Founder of the Born to Shine Organisation, a social movement rooted in faith, identity, and fierce love for community.

“I am a self-driven leader,” she says simply.

But nothing about her path has been simple.

A Life of Service: From Zimbabwe to Kosovo to Canberra

Tendayi’s early life in Zimbabwe was shaped by leadership in high-pressure environments. “I have been a Police Chief Inspector, head of a police hospital,” she shares, describing a chapter where she led with compassion inside institutions too often known for their harshness. But it was her time with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo that deepened her understanding of what it means to serve across cultural, political, and humanitarian lines.

To hold positions of authority in male-dominated fields, and to do so with integrity and purpose, requires something unteachable. Something enduring. For Tendayi, that something was a calling, to empower others to step into their light.

Born to Shine: Lighting a Path for Others

“I believe that we are born to shine and we should never let anything or anyone to dim our light,” Tendayi says.

That conviction became the foundation for Born to Shine, the organisation she founded to help women and girls embrace their identity, purpose, and power.

Through mentorship, events, and speaking engagements, Born to Shine has become a beacon for those navigating self-doubt, cultural barriers, or the lingering shadow of violence. Tendayi is especially passionate about the intersection of empowerment and faith. “Sharing is caring,” she reminds us. “We are here for each other.”

The organisation is not just about uplifting individuals, it’s about transforming families and whole communities. “When we acknowledge, appreciate and support this work,” she says, “we will see empowered families and communities and the world will be a better place.”

A First for Canberra: The Mother-Daughter Movement

One of Tendayi’s most significant achievements in recent years was spearheading Canberra’s first Mother-Daughter Event Against Domestic Violence, a community gathering that did more than raise awareness. It created space. It built bridges. It danced.

“I am proud to have recently championed the first Mother-Daughter Event against domestic violence in Canberra,” she shares. “It was aimed at strengthening mother-daughter relationships and helping them be empowered to speak out.”

The event was powerful not only for its theme, but for its reach. “Guests came not only from Canberra but from interstate to share stories, experiences, and ideas in a safe environment.” That level of vulnerability, cross-border participation, and cultural openness is no small feat. It speaks to a need and Tendayi’s ability to meet it with grace.

“Mothers had an opportunity to dance with their daughters,” she recalls. “That was the icing on the cake.”

But behind the smiles and shared music was something deeper: solidarity. “The sacrifice and commitment that goes in this work is worthy the cause,” Tendayi says. “Lives are transformed, many are inspired to rise, shine and fulfill their purpose.”

Faith as Fuel

In every facet of her work, from healthcare to human rights, faith is the flame that sustains her. It’s not performative. It’s protective. Restorative. Personal.

“Read the Bible, pray, sing and dance,” she advises, offering it not as dogma, but as survival.

Tendayi’s spirituality doesn’t isolate her, it connects her to community. Her leadership is pastoral in the truest sense: nurturing, present, and deeply attuned to people’s needs. Whether guiding a family through grief or helping a survivor reclaim their voice, her message remains the same: “The struggles we face in life are not meant to break us but make us stronger.”

In a world often obsessed with success, Tendayi calls us to something greater, significance. Impact. Belonging.

From Struggle to Strength: A Personal Philosophy

So much of Tendayi’s story is about reclaiming agency, especially for women and girls who’ve been told to shrink, hide, or remain silent. Her work counters those narratives with conviction.

“I’m passionate about empowering women, girls, and the community to embrace their identity and purpose in life,” she says. But that kind of empowerment doesn’t happen by accident, it requires strategy, heart, and unrelenting resilience.

Tendayi knows this work can be exhausting. It can be thankless. It can be overwhelming.

But, in her words:

“Together we can make a huge difference.”

A Ripple Effect of Hope

The ripple effect of Tendayi’s work is already visible, in every mother who stepped forward to dance, in every daughter who dared to speak, in every community member who left her event with hope instead of helplessness.

“This work… it transforms lives,” she says. And she doesn’t mean it metaphorically. People are literally inspired to “rise, shine and fulfill their purpose.”

It’s no wonder that Born to Shine is growing. The organisation’s online presence is filled with stories, photos, and resources that reflect the depth of Tendayi’s impact. From keynote addresses to community workshops, she’s not just showing up, she’s creating spaces where others can rise.

The Call to Action: Shine Anyway

Tendayi doesn’t ask for perfection. She asks for courage.

She believes that everyone, regardless of their past, their pain, or their position, can choose light. And she doesn’t just believe it. She lives it. Her story, her faith, her work, and her joy are a testament to the power of standing tall and shining bright even when the world tells you to dim down.

“When we acknowledge, appreciate and support this work, we will see empowered families and communities and the world will be a better place,” she says. “Together we make a huge difference.”

And it all starts with one decision: to shine.

Visit www.borntoshineinc.com to learn more about Tendayi’s organisation, upcoming events, and how to get involved. Whether you're a mother, a daughter, or an ally—your light is welcome here.

People with Purpose is a Purpose Media CBR series celebrating individuals who are creating lasting impact in Canberra and beyond. If you know someone who deserves to be featured, get in touch.