Conference empowers born-free generation
RUIMSIG - Three Monash University students were guest speakers at The American International School of Johannesburg.
Three students from Monash South Africa were recently invited by the South African Service Summit for Youth (SASSY) to be guest speakers at the The American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ).
“Run by young people, for young people, the purpose of the event was to introduce the born-free generation to the idea of not only realising the opportunities that are available to them, but also for them to be able to create employment for themselves and for those in the communities around them,” head of community engagement at Monash University Craig Rowe said.
He added that the born-free generation, as it has been dubbed, is the generation of young people born into a democratic South Africa.
“As first-time voters in 2014, many of these young people are facing choices and circumstances that are significantly different to that of their parents. The event was organised and facilitated by the youth organisation of AISJ. With no grown-up in sight, the event brought together young people from all across Gauteng,” he said.
International studies student Thembile Ndlovu (21) opened up the conference by urging the youth to take control of their futures: “We need to emancipate our minds and not see ourselves as the lost generation, but take control. We are still living in a society where we are plagued by the remnants of apartheid. We need to pick ourselves up, have ownership and move on,” she said.
Closing off the event, geography and environmental science student Francisca Nkhabu, also 21, echoed Thembile’s words with a passionate plea to her peers to be proactive in their communities in order to help drive change.
Rowe said personal and individualised development is one of the key strengths of Monash South Africa which has, over 10 years, seen 10 Mandela Rhodes scholars and several youth leaders as well. “Monash South Africa believes education goes beyond the classroom and works to shape the lives of others. Our students are able to participate and compete at every level – from grassroots community work through to speaking on international stages,” Rowe concluded.
Details: Community Engagement at Monash University, Craig Rowe 011 950 4000.
