Three Activators flew the Activate Leadership flag high at Robben Island Museum Spring School’s  Albertina Sisulu and Nelson Mandela Legacy Focus from 28th September to the 6th October 2018.

Social change drivers Lelethu Godongwana, Lwazi Nongauza and Tshepo Mabuya were selected as executive facilitators and tasked with imparting leadership knowledge to 100 young extraordinary leaders from four SADC – Southern African Development Community – countries.

Together with the Robben Island Museum, the Department of Arts and Culture, in support of the Spring School, helped showcase the twenty year anniversary under the theme of ‘360 Degrees Leadership’. The platform created from this initiative was used to reflect on South Africa’s painful past and how the current generation has inspired a new path through media storytelling and platforms.

Throughout the eight days of intense media storytelling training (which included Radio Productions, Visual Arts, Digital Tools, Video Production and Creative Writing), participants were taught about responsible entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and active citizenship as a way of carrying the legacy left by the two icons.

Activator Lelethu Godongwana, who facilitated the digital skills elective, applauded organizers for putting together one of the most robust programs for future leaders. Godongwana also shared his positive sentiment of the 2018 Robben Island Spring School.

“The location (Robben Island)  itself is a perfect stage to instill the values of self-pride and patriotic mindset to build the capacity to impact the country, continent and hopefully influence the peers of the youth in this programme across the globe. As a trainer in community development, focused on skills transfer and literacy and digital literacy,  I am extremely happy with the positive feedback from the learners who attended my elective,” he said  

According to Robben Island Education Programmes head Vuvu Mayongo, all provincial and national representatives will continue with what they have developed to conduct workshops in their respective hometowns and take on prestige Robben Island Spring School ambassadorship.

‘’Robben Island Museum is very happy with the outcomes of this year’s Spring School. For us, it is very important to emphasize the massive significance of this year’s Spring School. Thus, even though the program might have come to an end, the seeds which were planted in the lives of the young changemakers who attended the spring school will continue. We believe we have exposed them to good enough critical avenues and skills that will help their quests of becoming responsible future renowned leaders.’’ said Mayongo 

She also applauded Godongwana, Nongauza and Mabuya for their great contribution to Robben Island Museum’s Spring School. The three social change drivers who relished the once in a lifetime opportunity have reportedly also created dozens of youth and community development lead connections for Activate! Network.