Name:Lerato Morulane

Province: Gauteng

Facebook: Lerato Morulane

Lerato Morulane is a 21 year old Youth Development Advocate from Pretoria. Her Advocacy focus in the Youth Development Context are in the areas of SRHR,HIV prevention, Substance abuse prevention, LGBTI Rights and Youth participation within the Sustainable Development Goal, African Unions Agenda 2063 and United Nations Secretary General’s Global Strategy on Women, Children and Adolescent health 2015-2030.

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

The network consists of young people and it will provide a platform for information sharing, opportunity and also assist me to grow in my spheres as I will have people to support me in my projects or initiatives.

What did you enjoy the most about training?

The project funding models and the LEMON leadership as it assisted me to focus more on my strength and what I should change in order to champion what I do

How has training helped you or changed your perspective?

It showed me that we are a network and connected whether you are in the health department or social at the end of the day we are focusing on one goal which is making the world a better place for us and the future generation

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

The young people with energy and wisdom is to ensure that they secure a good future for the future generation, question the system and come up with better solutions for the injustices happening in the world.

What is your field of interest?

My field of interest is Human Rights and I am determined on pursuing an LLB Law degree, with ardent intentions to obtain a Masters in Law with a focus on International Human Rights Law

How are you driving change in your community?

I serve as the Administrative coordinator of AfriYAN Eastern and Southern Africa at Southern AIDS Trust and Youth Chapter Officer at Access Chapter; Youth Consultant and Chairperson to the National Campaign for Young Women and Girls SHE CONQUERS which was launched by the deputy president on the 26^th June 2016 and a member of the students and youth network, JUPHASA .I further serve as the member of the steering committee on the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STI’s 2017-2022. I have advocated for the establishment of a Youth Friendly facility in my township also instigated an anti-drug march with the assistance of local NGO’s in my community and I was part of the team that drafted the national school policy on teenage pregnancy. In November 2014, my persistent advocacy bore fruit when at 19 I was appointed as the best Ke-Moja coach in Gauteng by the Social Development MEC, then at 20 I was appointed to serve as the Youth Representative for the National Campaign for YWG, in which I made significant contributions. With all that said I have managed to assist in changing some of the policies and numerous contributions in the communities in South Africa.

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

I plan to continue sharing the information with the network and the members of the public, avail myself for motivational and inspirational talks.

What are your plans for this year?

To continue working with the Network and other networks that I sit in, start with my Law degree and my foundation.

How will you be involving the network in your plans?

I will ask them to be part of my talks and share information that they have capacitated me with, with other people

Additional information you would like us to know?

I am an arti-vist (artist and activist) and I would like to encourage other young people to pursue that route also I believe that in the next coming years I will be the chairperson of the African Union.