Name: Queen Nomonde Velapi

Facebook: Nomonde Queen Velapi

Twitter handle: @queen_velapi

Instagram:@queen_velapi

Write a short blurb (summary) about yourself. In no more than three sentences.

I am a young woman who is driven by change, growth, empowerment and knowledge. The day I discovered myself is the day I became alive.

Why did you decide to be part of the ACTIVATE! Network?

I decided to be part of ACTIVATE! because I needed the right direction and information towards my growth and impact in my community.

What did you enjoy the most about training?

Each and every lesson gave me a push and guidance as to how to do things and being with young people who have the same drive and purpose.

How has training helped you or changed your perspective?

Now I know what I didn’t know before, as I also said to the facilitators I went to the training empty even if I knew some of the things, but I didn’t know well so I had to empty myself and be ready to be filled up with information that will have solid grounds and motives.  Now I am more aware of what truly is than what was.

Have you been inspired and been the inspiration in your community and those you interact with?

Yes I have been inspired by many people around me and that has changed so much in me because in everything I do it’s all because of all the people that inspired me I am one of the people who inspire and help young people in my community as I lead a group of young ladies.

What do you think the role of the youth is in developing the country?

Change our ways of thinking and doing things and start getting information and knowledge, because that’s where we get it all wrong. With proper education and information, united we are the key to this country.

 What is your field of interest?

Women empowerment and Art

How are you driving change in your community/How would you like to drive change in your community?

Having women empowerment sessions, mentoring sessions, photoshoots themed with African Queens.

Now that you have completed training, how do you plan to keep active in the network?

I still have to attend Module 2

In each and every direction the network leads me I will gladly follow and lead from wherever. And I will use all the tools the network gave me to make my community a better place for all the young people.

 What are your plans for this year?

Host an event where young women will introduce themselves to the nation and also themselves.  I’ve already changed my work environment because the network helped me discover some things about myself and now there’s no turning back its all or nothing!

 Is social media an effective way by which you can receive communication from us?

Yes it is. Because that where the target is and that’s where all the people we are trying to change live and find comfort.

Additional information you would like us to know?

After my 1^st Module, I had to change my direction and focus, ACTIVATE! reintroduced me to the person I was meant to be and I’ve been avoiding people I thought I needed to be in some placed, because of how our minds are programmed.  Now everything makes perfect sense and I fear nothing but not growing because what’s not growing is dead so I can’t afford to be dead with all the information I gained from my 1^st Module.  All that I am now is all I have and need to improve by also changing other young people that I mentor and inspire.

Every time I look at these ladies I inspired, I know there’s more to come and that needs to be done.

I am an Activator and a fearless change driver!