Name: Luzuko Melapi

Province: Western Cape

Luzuko describes himself as a hardworking, enthusiastic individual who loves going out. He is a positive person and grabs any opportunity with both hands. He volunteered for ten years in the HIV/AIDS sector and helped change the conditions around the primary health care system and NHI white paper policy engagements.

What are you championing in your community?

I work on campaigns around gender-based violence, absent fathers, SRH and HIV counselling.

How are you driving change in your community?

I am part of an organisation called Mosaic where I work as a community mobiliser and facilitate workshops. I work with the community around domestic violence and offer free counselling around relationships and families.

How has ACTIVATE! and the network supported you in driving change?

ACTIVATE! has developed me holistically as a person. My mind and spirit was uplifted and the organisation helped me drive change in the community. The skills that ACTIVATE! gave me made me a young change driver for a better south Africa.

The Bus Journey

Why have you decided to be part of the Bus Journey?

I feel that ACTIVATE! has invested in me as a young person who is driving change in my community as well as  to get exposure for the organisation I work for and to talk about the importance of ending gender based violence.

What are you hoping to take out of the Bus Journey?

I would like to come back knowing that I have connected with young people and was able to make a difference in disadvantage areas. I also would love to come back and the work of the network is being spread throughout the provinces.

What are you most looking forward to on the Bus Journey?

Exposure for my organisation in other provinces, the creation of partnerships and the fun on the trip as well.

In an ideal world, who would you like to engage in conversation with on The Journey? Why?

I would like to engage with the youth and people who are interested in changing the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa. I would also like to engage with funders who are interested in piloting the work we do in other provinces, especially in rural areas.

What are your plans for next year?                                                    

I plan to teach youth about SRH at the early stages involving life skills as a development approach towards gender equality. I also yearn to have a society in which gender-based violence does not exist and reaching the AIDS conference goals.

How will you be involving the network in your plans?

I will involve the network by recruiting young people between the ages of 15-24 years to be part of advocating gender equality in the trainings and workshops that involve a project called Stepping-Stones that I facilitate for young people.