Name: Paris Nyiko Makaringe

Province: Guateng

Facebook: Paris Makaringe / Paris Makaringe Page

Twitter handle: @Paris_Makaringe

Instagram: @Paris_Makaringe

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

Paris is an optimistic young person who believes in active citizenship within the small space he finds himself in. He is passionate about community development as a key area of focus and pledges to be an active change maker as long as he lives.

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

I joined the network so as to be consciously minded and linked up with other active young people working in the space of community development. 

What did you enjoy the most about training?

I don’t really refer to it as training but the birth of a new me…ACTIVATE! has Activated the desire I have to become whom I have always wanted to be and encouraged me to do more.

How has training helped you or changed your perspective?

Indeed it has helped me politically, economically, financially and spiritually. I see things in a different way now and I am able to think independently.

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

I consider myself a role model in my community and can safely say that I have become a household name with the ability to drive the active citizenship in every space I occupy. I have become a beacon of hope and my presence carries influence.

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

My role as leader has been recognised nationally after being named as one of the Top 200 Young South Africans in the Mail & Guardian along with receiving a Nation Builder Award in 2017 and  receiving a Special Award at the Gauteng Premier Youth & Excellency 2018.

What is your field of interest?

Civil Society.

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

I would love to continue driving change in the following ways:

• Leading the fight on prevention work in the field of substance abuse, gender – based violence against women and children.
• Driving programs that tackle the issue of underprivileged kids.
• Conducting training on leadership principles and life skills.

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

Being involved in anything related to the work I do within my field and making sure that I recruit future leaders like myself to be part of the network.

What are your plans for this year?

One always wants everyone to witness growth within the space they find themselves in and that is what I would like to do in the programs and projects I’m part of .

Secondly, I would like to  focus on education specifically, because I will be launching a new programme that  deals with the education sector . This is something that’s really new to me but I am ready for the challenge that lays ahead.

Lastly, investing my time in the Future Leaders programme and mentoring one boy and girl child.

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

Yes it is. 

Additional information you would like us to know?

“As Long As Im Alive I’ll Touch Lives ‘’

Paris Makaringe