Scores of youth dressed in their school uniforms converged at the City of Johannesburg’s new council chamber at the celebration of the tenth anniversary of Johannesburg Student Council on October 20.
The speaker of the council, Clr Vasco da Gama, said the celebrations added value and strengthened the programme to sustain democracy in the city.
The alumni of the Johannesburg Student Council shared their important milestone, with good, bad and moments of truths with the current Johannesburg student councillors.
“I am always captivated by the extraordinary minds of the young learners whom I have had the privilege to encounter on the student council with their thirst for knowledge and their curiosity for democracy and how the council works. I feel confident that our country is moving in the right direction when it comes to investing in our youth,” said Clr Da Gama.
The alumni had a lot to share with the current JSC, encouraging them not to lose sight of their dreams no matter what the difficulties might be along the journey.
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“Failure is not a person, but an event that happens in life. Mishaps and failure are part and parcel of everyone in the journey of life,” said Wallied Fraser, an alumnus.
There was a panel discussion by the guest speakers and alumni Dr Fatima Hoosen, a medical doctor based at the Edenvale Hospital, Khaya Hlophe-Kunene, a chartered accountant and an award-winning entrepreneur with links on the continent and the US and Sabelo Myeni, an educationist and head of Mindworx Academy. The topics were varied and included discussions such as artificial intelligence and African entrepreneurship, among others.
Former council speaker Nkele Ntingame thanked the council and Da Gama for the opportunity. She also thanked the people of Johannesburg she once served.
