“I come from a township and I am saddened to see some of my peers standing at robots and begging… I want to grow and change the youth of South Africa. I don’t want the youth to wait for the government to actually do something, I want them to stand up and do it themselves,” said Roodeport resident Boitumelo Makhubele who organised a successful Young Leaders in Dialogue series at Regenesys Business school in Sandton on 26 June.
When Makhubele started her new business venture as an event coordinator, she said the first thing that came to mind was to help the youth of South Africa.
She partnered with Sfiso Msiza, founder of consulting and business services company Lebone Inspires, for a spectacular series of conversations to discuss pressing issues affecting the youth.
Makhubele said, “The reason for this event is because we had questions, we wanted to talk about pressing issues facing the youth and highlight opportunities available.”
Sfiso Msiza founder of Lebone Inspires agrees.
“We want to create a vision for young people to conquer – the 1976 youth had a vision to conquer and we want the youth of 2014 to have a vision that stands out for them.”
The two invited young inspiring individuals such as Sanele Zulu, Mpho Matee, Sade Savings and Claire Mawisa spoke at length with the youth about their challenges.
The series of conversations was aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of young South Africans who want to make a difference.
Msiza and Makhubele launched this programme to further develop the beliefs, values and ideals that motivate leadership behaviours that will make a difference.
Msiza also said the main objective of Young Leaders in Dialogue series is self-awareness of authentic leadership.
The highlight of the event was when young people informed that they struggle to get employment even after varsity.
However, Mawisa expressed her worries regarding the comment about unemployment.
“The youth of 2014 is in a serious crisis because we are talking at the youth, we are not engaging with them. We need to reach out to the youth and develop the way they think; the youth also need to stay informed in order to make it in life,” Mawisa advised.
The event was inspiring, and instilled some hope in the attending youth.