How the Youth Network used the festive season to capacitate youth leadership

December is universally considered a month of festivities and winding down from the year’s normal routine. In many areas, schools close for the holiday period, places of worship reduce their hours and attendance in the office tends to die down with many going on a go-slow or taking annual leave.

There is a social contract that December is a month to relax, gather socially and reflect on the year that was; however, for the youth network ACTIVATE! Change Drivers, December took on a proactive approach where the young leaders used the first week to develop their leadership skills through participating in the Rise and Regenerate Youth Exchange programme hosted by the network’s CEO, Siphelele Chirwa and Swiss co-facilitator Carine Roth, themed ‘Restoring Our Shared Humanity’.

The 7-day course took place in the wilderness in Cape Town, South Africa and hosted youth leaders from Switzerland and the South African-based youth network who have a shared sense of responsibility to leave the world better than they found it. During the course, the young leaders gathered to share their respective expertise in restoring our shared humanity.

About the Programme

The Rise and Regenerate program is dedicated to raising awareness and fostering action on critical ecological and social issues, using a holistic approach to activism and post-activism.

The programme recognises the intricate connections between the climate crisis and various systems of inequality such as race, gender identity, disability, and class.

Its Core Focuses

The core focus of the programme was on deconstructing paradigms, decolonising our worldview, and staying with discomfort to navigate the complexities of the world.

Testimonial

“This period was also deeply centred on self-reflection. We had a dedicated solo day and night, during which we fasted for 24 hours. This created space for introspection, personal growth, and grounding”, Shoki Chune, activator 2019.

“During the course, we were also paired with buddies — South African and Swiss participants. Through these pairings, we shared our personal stories and learned about the injustices present in the contexts we come from”, Chuene.

“These exchanges allowed us to build meaningful friendships and collaboratively develop project ideas that we can potentially implement together. Several different project concepts emerged from these discussions”, Chuene.

“Being surrounded by young people who are hungry for change, unafraid to challenge injustice, and willing to stand firmly in what they believe in was both inspiring and affirming. While we come from different parts of the world, we share similar challenges and experiences, reminding us that at our core, we are not so different after all”, Chuene.

“This was deeply enlightening — one that more young people deserve to experience. Shared humanity is not just a concept, but a way of life. Together, we made commitments to continue living, teaching, and growing shared humanity wherever we find ourselves”, Chune adds.

Being capacitated with diverse skills and considerations into what informs great leadership was a timely act as South Africa prepares for the local government election.

Throughout this transformative journey, the goal of the programme was to support the development of healthy, resilient individuals. It focused on uncovering unique talents, nurturing creativity, and fostering a sense of responsibility towards our communities and left the young leaders feeling nourished, empowered, and with a clear sense of purpose.

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About the author:

Zamayirha Peter is an Advocacy Communications Specialist with over eight (9) years of experience in multimedia journalism and communications. Her passion is using development communications to contribute to the advancement and empowerment of communities, particularly the youth, across the continent and influence global conversations through using strategic communication tools.