Activate! Think Tank – Limpopo 2025

On a warm Saturday in Polokwane, activators across Limpopo had the great opportunity to contribute and co-create the future they want to see when it comes to youth network ACTIVATE Change Drivers at the Limpopo Roadshow. . Many activators considered the opportunity incredibly rewarding as they attended the “A! Think tank Gathering and Engagement Here activators were provided with the chance to collectively share ideas and opportunities to empower the youth of the province and to advocate good governance, civil rights and Democracy.

The occasion was facilitated the network staffs, who too are activators namely: Brian Mchunu, Lebohang Zimba, Nonhlanhla Dube and Philadelphia Sanzinza. The agenda of the day was dynamic and engaging first with a, welcome and introduction. The, purpose of the day, reflection on the ACTIVATE! Journey, Co-creation of the NEXT!, Session debrief and lastly closing remarks.

All activators and young people in attendance sat in circle, engaged as equals with facilitators in charge, the drivers of the event didn’t just speak, they listened, and it felt like the purest form of participatory democracy in definition. The room embodied everything Activate! stands for, mutual respect, shared learning, and co-creation of solutions.

All in all, summarizing aspects from what was discussed or agreed upon, through (Activate Limpopo Vision/Strategies):

• Ongoing Database update
• Keeping Current Activate strategies in place
• Provincial monthly gatherings
• Award ceremonies
• Skills funding
• Job creation via Job fund
• More hubs around the province
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Provincial structure
• Updates from ACD facilitators

The value that stood out the most when all points where put on paper was of that this young leaders are not that much depending on the organisation or the government for help, but they took the will to try what they can with what they have, the attitude alone captures the leadership we need today, innovative, accountable (Asina valo), and humble qualities that can help build more ethical, responsive and people-centered leadership.

The leadership demonstrated by the Limpopo Activators is the perfect ingredient we need to shape the character of the future leaders today.  It was good to hear how much the organisation has shaped most individuals and the collaborations graduates from the organisation make in and outside the network.

After the gathering leaders where given an opportunity to define the experience of the gathering in one word from hospitality to the think tank room and this are some of the words that they used to explain the occasion and how the conversations added a powerful, personal dimension to the leaning: Provocative, inspiring, motivating, empowering, eye opening, phenomenal, recharge, memorable, energizing, captivating and activating… just to name a few, and the hospitality at the hosting venue (Pits Lodge) is of Ubuntu in action to be exact all thanks to the stuff and management who welcomed us with pure generous warm gesture.

Quote for the event:

“Let’s take the spirit of the open chair Democracy Talks back to our communities and practice democracy as something lived, not performed, leadership is something that must be nurtured daily, it’s not self-sustaining, its health depends on how intentionally we care for our communities/people, implementation is key, talking is not enough.

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By: Monti Montsha