WFUNA Young Leader of 2016 Appreciation Letter
It has been amazing and humbling to serve as the WFUNA Young Leader of 2016. My gratitude extends to the WFUNA Secretariat, young people of all UNAs and UNYAs across the world, UNA –Zimbabwe for nominating me, Thekwini City Colleges for their open-door policy in partnerships, Junior Chamber International (JCI) South Africa, Court Vision International, Self-Aware Youth Club, and many other partners. The position enabled me to gain regional and international exposure but above everything else, illuminate the world through leading young people to be responsible and accountable actors in shaping the world we want by 2030.
Some of the notable milestones during my tenure of office are as follows:
2017 (Year for SDG 16 and 5)
Launch of the Annual Inter-colleges Sports for Peace Tournament on the 21st of September every year to commemorate the lnternational Day of Peace. Currently, preparations are now at an advanced stage for the second edition of this tournament, scheduled to be held at Westenburg Community grounds in Polokwane, South Africa on the same date.
Launched Project I Pad which is aimed at giving disadvantaged girls peace of mind through men's support of their menstrual health. The program educates men about the importance of supporting all women: our sisters, mothers, friends, and among others. Every month we bring together sanitary pads that we acquire as a way of showing commitment to the cause and give to disadvantaged girls. So far 350 girls mostly from rural areas have benefited directly from this initiative since its launch.
Partnered with Self Aware Youth Club based in Polokwane Rural areas to host the Annual Miss Self Aware Beauty Pageant from 2017 onwards. This is a project aims to empower girls in rural areas around Polokwane to develop a positive self-image and be able to fearlessly stand up for rights in their communities. This year, the pageant is schedule for December in the other part rural part of Polokwane as a way of giving a chance to all girls in rural areas of Limpopo Province in South Africa.
Launched the Peace Always Campaign, an initiative that is aimed at helping Young People show their commitment to peaceful actions. As a promise to continuously display their commitments, young people signed their names in a Peace Pledge Declaration book. The book at the moment has more than one thousand signatures of young people from different backgrounds, nationalities and gender.
Supported a rural community basketball team in Jozini, KwaZulu Natal Province in South Africa with technical and financial support. In collaboration with Court Vision International (https://www.courtvisionconnect.com/), the project was aimed at supporting Young People to get out of drugs and positively channel their energy towards self and community development.
2018 (Year of ensuring Quality Education - SDG 4):
1. Smart Learning Campaign: In partnership with Thekwini City Colleges in South Africa, we are running a program of providing seven-inch customized tablets to newly registered students especially those studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This is a way of encouraging Young People to venture into this field of STEM, which is one of the central keys in the sustainable development of Africa. Through this program the number of girls registering, especially for engineering courses with the college campuses across the country, has doubled. Thus, this initiative did not only see a positive achievement for SDG 4 but also SDG 5. This is a five-year program running until 2022.
2. Launch of the Nelson Mandela Public Management and Education Bursary under the Bernard Sihlezi Bebe Foundation (https://www.facebook.com/Bernard-Sihlezi-Bebe-Foundation-418770161579994/). At the moment, this bursary mostly covers the costs for textbooks and mentors for students who qualify for financial aid. These students study Public Management and Education across TVET colleges in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The program aims to inspire students to help Public Officials and Educators strengthen the next generation of global citizens. Nelson Mandela’s values, which are peace and reconciliation, selflessness and service to humanity are central to the program’s mission and vision.
Honoured the 67 Minutes of Volunteerism of the Nelson Mandela Day 2018 by vanishing 100 desks at one of the Campuses of Thekwini City College in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Raised awareness among Thekwini City College students about the Global Youth Service Day and conducted a cleanup at one of their campuses and offered them certificates of participation in partnership with Youth Service America (https://ysa.org/ ).This event was well published in two local newspapers (https://reviewonline.co.za/262370/foundation-set-to-better-lives/).
Formulated an online petition and sent letters to the Clerk of Parliament and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC). This petition was aimed at discouraging the use of Hate Speech during the era of political campaigns in the recently held elections in Zimbabwe. After 2 weeks of petitioning, the NPRC came up with a Peace Pledge which was signed by all 23 Political Party Representatives who were contesting in these corresponding elections in Zimbabwe. (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1303852599717513&id=304646782971438).
Also created a peace video in partnership with an upcoming comedian in Zimbabwe. We made the video during the elections campaign period in Zimbabwe. It was aimed at discouraging Young People from indulging themselves in any form of electoral violence. The video was circulated on social media sites, such as Whatsapp and Facebook. (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1705929242859103&id=1262085897243442)
My service to humanity will not end with my term of service as the WFUNA Young Leader of 2016, but rather a lifetime commitment. Looking forward to cordial working relations with the incoming WFUNA Young Leader of 2018. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
