Activator scoops international award in USA

By Lwazi Nongauza

Activator Isasiphinkosi Mdingi has raised the African continent as she scooped the prestigious Young Emerging Leaders Award which was held at the Department of State in USA on the 2^nd of May 2018.

Mdingi is one of 10 remarkable young people who have received this prestigious award while crisscrossing the United States of America perfecting community development through the intensive exchange programme. Honourees first visited Washington, D.C. where they were recognised in a public ceremony for their efforts. They further attended meetings with U.S. government officials and non-governmental organisations. The awardees then traveled to Austin, Texas to participate in professional meetings and engage with their American counterparts. The young leaders have reconvened in Washington, D.C. to share project plans and examine ways they can collaborate and build on their experiences.

This hard working 23-year-old law graduate and activist had once represented South Africa and the African continent at the Preparing Global Leaders Summit in Russia 2015, she is once again validated by the USA Department of State as one of the honorees for this prestigious global youth leadership award after being nominated by the US Embassy in Cape Town.

The annual awards ceremony is meant to acknowledge the outstanding leadership achievements of young people from all of over the world who are involved in building peace, combating extremism, empowering youth, driving youth economic participation and growth.

Some of Mdingi’s achievements include playing a key role in drafting anti-rape and sexual assault culture policy proposal document and robust engagement with South African Minister of Social Development on how to curb all forms of gender violence at South African tertiary academic institutions.

While reflecting on her ongoing programme in United States of America, the Eastern Cape based Activator said she is planning to use the opportunity to secure resources and relationships that will address the plight of young vulnerable people and females in her community.

‘’The information I gained during my visit to the United States of America and the processes I’ve learned will help me in restrategising my work and guide me in the future, designing projects that create meaningful impact for my people in South Africa and the African continent. I have formed formidable relationships with a number of members and many other stakeholders has committed to making sure that I will be able to amplify my projects in the Eastern Cape,” she said.

One of her upcoming ground-breaking projects is to assist the Department of Higher Education in quickly drafting policy that will address prominent Gender Based Violence and ever-increasing sexual assault culture at all South African tertiary higher learning institutions.

The decisive leader whose next mission includes studying a masters degree in International Development in the United Kingdom despite being rejected many times by local and international academic funders.

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