Name:  Nkosikhona “UZZI” Mpungose

Province:  KwaZulu Natal

Facebook:  Nkosikhona Uthmaan Mpungose

Twitter handle:  @MpungoseNW

Instagram:  Nkosikhona Mpungose

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

Uzzi is a community developer by birth and a social engineer on civil leadership. I’m motivated to bring about change in my community and my country using innovative solutions to community problems or social ills. I uphold human rights for a just society and empower young people in my community.

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

I decided to join the A! Network because of  the training I needed to add to my skills and also to be in the network of like-minded people for collaborations and partnership among other young champions in the network.

What did you enjoy the most about training?

 Everything was amazing, but Lemon leadership, Articulation & Innovation stood out for me.

How has training helped you or changed your perspective?

It has helped me to view social ills and opportunities to drive change in my community as opposed to seeing  them as community burdens.

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

I have been inspired and indeed I remain the inspiration behind young community developers from high schools and ward level in my community in KwaMashu and EThekwini municipality as a whole.

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

The role of youth is engaging themselves with the country’s development by contributing positively towards change in their communities and also participating on local programs.

What is your field of interest?

Social justice: Civic Education, Human rights and Health.

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

I’m driving change in my community in different platforms and levels where there is not a youth voice, from war- rooms & local forums to district councils for social change – HIV, GBV, TB and Poverty reduction.

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

Well when A! Stations were proposed I was a first station Head that lunched the INK station  which has been active and serving the community, its the station that will keep me active as it serves my community.

What are your plans for this year?

Plans for 2018: Luanch High School Students Parliament program, Clinic Youth Corner in local clinics for amplifying AYFS for DOH, Community Health Education for INK area and for the first time I’ll do INK community developers awards this year to appreciate those who are contributing to INK Development and also as an encouraging tool for those who haven’t started. (please help making this possible). INK is a combination of three communities i.e Inanda,Ntuzuma and Kwa-Mashu.

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

I’m very active on social media especially twitter and facebook, so Yes

Additional information you would like us to know?

Please empower stations with relevant resources as it will be the A! Legacy in community even when A! goes away it will remain an engineer to drive change in the community level.