Five Johannesburg-based high school learners have used their time in lockdown to drive positive social change.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of socially conscious protest movements, including Black Lives Matter and the fight against gender-based violence, the learners of St John’s College and Roedean School have remotely built and launched an online platform to respond to the injustices and challenges faced by local and international youth.
“The platform is called Ukuzibuza, which means ‘to ask oneself’, because that’s what we all need to be doing right now,” said Sazi Bongwe, co-creator of Ukuzibuza and Grade 12 learner at St John’s College.
“It’s a space for other people my age to explore their own feelings about issues that are affecting them, from race and sexuality to the changing nature of education. At the same time, we’re helping young people find confidence in publishing their own writing and using their voices.”
Sazi and fellow Ukuzibuza co-creator, Eli Osei, teamed up with Crimson Education, a global mentoring company that connects learners with admission strategists and tutors to assist them with the complex application process for overseas universities.
Country manager at Crimson Education, Rebecca Pretorius said, “Top universities are looking for candidates who demonstrate leadership and innovation during this time. The work that Sazi and Eli have done is a great example of how students can build an impressive university application, even with school and club-based activities, extracurriculars, competitions and events being cancelled.
“Crimson supports learners who are interested in developing impact projects such as Sazi and Eli’s, through the Crimson Youth Fund, a philanthropic arm of Crimson Education, created to provide learners or recent graduates aged 13 to 21 with essential resources to bring their events or projects to life.
Sazi, Eli and their team, Joseph Goldblatt and Jun Tan of St John’s College, and Ruby de Lanerolle (Roedean School) are encouraging anybody with something to say to submit articles to be featured on their website.
In September, Crimson Education will launch the local arm of their private online high school, the Crimson Global Academy, in South Africa. Applications are open for the new academic term.
Details: For more information, or to submit a piece of writing, visit www.ukuzibuza.com
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