What’s your passion?

Youth leadership, activism and employment.

I am also very passionate about law and how it can assist people in their lives.

Since obtaining my law degree I have joined a few organisations and have realised that I can uplift communities with my skills.

What change are you keen to drive?

I want the youth – especially the younger ones – to realise that there is so much value in studying after school. I’ve seen many people get lost in a system where people think that all they need is a matric to get a job.   

I feel as though it’s my mission to make them realise there’s more out there and motivate them to do something. Encouraging them to join organisations or civil movements and get actively engaged and involved.

How are you driving change?

Currently I hold a seat in the South African branch of the Organisation of African Youth. I am the secretary for human rights, constitutional development, democracy and youth leadership.

I am also involved in a project that has workshops in schools that assist and direct youth towards their career choices. We help them apply to universities and choose the best courses that will suite their interests and subject choices. To gain experience, we encourage them to volunteer.

How has ACTIVATE! supported you so far in driving this change?

ACTIVATE! has helped me discover more about myself, it has allowed me to look at things from another perspective and explore. I have also learned the value and importance of networking and teaming with like-minded individuals who have different skills. Together with fellow Activators, we formed The Cabinet.  We are here to inspire each other and whenever someone is doing something we pitch up and support each other.

Before ACTIVATE! I never felt as though I fitted into the community. I have an accent and a different type of outlook on things, so I had a lot of barriers that I needed to overcome. But then I decided, “I know why I’m doing it, I know that there are people who need me to keep doing what I’m doing. So I’m going to do it anyway, whether people relate or not.”

How do you motivate yourself?

Realising that if I don’t get out of bed and actively make the changes that I want to see in the world, no one else will.

My motivation is also to achieve my goal of working at the United Nations. I want to go that far because I want to make changes beyond my community.

Final comment?

The youth need to take ownership and realise that we are the custodians of South Africa and we need to do more. We must make our voices heard and launch a youth parliament so that we can work together and change South Africa positively.