With the thousands of youngsters leaving matric to further their education, Lead SA recently launched a program to further develop the beliefs, values and ideals that motivate leadership behaviours. The two-day course is aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of socially-conscious young South Africans who want to make a difference
The Future Leaders Workshop in partnership with The Centre for Leadership and Dialogue at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) has recently completed inaugural courses in Gauteng and Cape Town respectively.
The Centre for Leadership and Dialogue at GIBS partnered with Lead SA by facilitating this two-day course to a select group of young adults. The course offered exposure to different kinds of leaders; personal development modules, and interaction to build an understanding both of the role of leadership in South Africa and of their own roles as leaders within that context.
The first day looked at the role of leadership in SA by reflecting on the counties’ past and understanding the sacrifices of individuals who paved the way for us to live free of discrimination with equal opportunities. In Gauteng the delegates were taken to the Worker’s Museum in Newtown JHB and in Cape Town the group were captivated by a tour of the District Six Museum. Both giving some context to our struggles as a nation and as individuals.
The second day was all about personal leadership; about the ‘self’ and taking one’s future in one’s own hands. Delegates were addressed by guests who were dubbed “every day leaders that shared their personal journeys and the obstacles they each had to overcome. These included talks by inspirational individuals such as The City of Cape Town’s Councillor Suzette Little, Director of the Leadership College Ashra Norton, Mediator and peacemaker Sifiso Mbuyisa, Project Leader at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation Eleanor du Plooy.
Highlights of the day were the closing addresses by keynote speakers Ahmed Kathrada and Pieter-Dirk Uys who imparted with the years of experience through their own trials and tribulations. These icons were embraced by the delegates, who were in awe of their journeys. Ahmed Kathrada imparted with the statement that the challenge is no longer apartheid; the new challenges are poverty, hunger, unemployment, health and education, and this is where the youth come in.
Youth delegate, Nompumelelo Gumbi, was overwhelmed by the experience. She comments, “Before the programme I doubted my own abilities and potential to do something significant in whichever form. However, I have now learnt that leaders are made not born. Our very first workshop opened my mind…”
Another youth delegate, Thabiso Mavovo concluded; “Attending the Future Leaders workshop varied and eradicated my definition of leadership. After the workshop I realized that being a leader does not necessary require one to be financially fit or well connected, but it’s all about taking the initiative and being responsible about issues that face our society.”
Amber Drake-Brown
