IN HIS legendary autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela wrote that, “a good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination”, in the imperative task of changing the world.
Active citizens recognise that, “service to humanity is the best work of life”, and fired by passion, they take responsibility to illuminate our otherwise dark and hopeless world using their talents and resources, of which everyone has some.
JCI’s (Junior Chamber International) TOYP programme has over the years recognised such young people aged between 18 and 40 years of age, who excel in their chosen fields and create positive change. Honourees’ achievements have included the establishment of cancer wards at hospitals, uniting of communities and other such great feats.
This article shall look at the achievements of past TOYP Zimbabwe honourees, to understand what led to their nomination, to guide us as we search for this year’s achievers:
Tendai Concilia Wenyika (2012 Political, Legal or government affairs) was the first female president of a Zimbabwean university students’ representative committee, served on the Zimbabwe Youth Council, as well as the Pan-African Youth Union. She was instrumental in the formation of the Zimbabwe Young Women’s Network and Zimbabwe Entrepreneurs Youth Association.
She inspired youths to positively influence government and participated in peace and advocacy missions in Somalia, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Mali and Libya.
Betty Makoni (2007 — Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership) was the founder and director of Girl Child Network Zimbabwe, whose mission is to protect the girl child from sexual abuse, recognising the vulnerability of girls to the HIV and Aids pandemic.
Her work and passion as a women’s rights advocate contributed to the Zimbabwe HIV and Aids policy as well as the government’s Domestic Violence Bill.
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Sabelo Sibanda (2004 — Cultural Achievement) as an accomplished human rights lawyer, an orator, motivational speaker, performing artist and poet, he founded the School of African Awareness December 1997. He founded African Awareness Community Theatre, (aka Ama-Afrika Aqotho), in 1999 and in the year 2000, he won the Siyaya Arts Award (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) in appreciation for spirited guidance and continued support towards the work of Siyaya over the preceding ten year period.
Strive Masiyiwa (1999 — Business, Economic and Entrepreneurial Accomplishment), who broke new ground in the telecoms industry and revolutionised the industry by forming a global multimillion dollar business. In 1990, he was the youngest ever recipient of Zimbabwe’s businessman of the year Award; in 1998 he was named Zimbabwe’s manager of the year as well as entrepreneur of the year.
Charlene Ann Hewat (1995 — Moral and/or Environmental Leadership): One of “the Rhino Girls” of the famous 1986 to 1987 22 000km transcontinental bicycle journey from Glasgow Scotland to Harare Zimbabwe to raise awareness and save the black rhino, Charlene also contributed greatly to the published conservation book, “Extinction is Forever”.
She founded the Environment 2000 Foundation which grew from a staff of five to become one of Zimbabwe’s leading environmental watchdog and advocacy organisations that promote conservation.
These honourees were highly passionate and successful in their respective pursuits, yet they also deliberately contributed positively to society. They also all went on to attain greater levels of success in their endeavours with time, by providing creative solutions to problems affecting their communities.
JCI Bulawayo has been in existence since the early ’90s grooming prominent leaders and is currently running under the theme, “Transformed to Transform”, in recognition of the need to develop young people so that they in turn may take responsibility and impact their communities. JCI Bulawayo plans to bring positivity, passion and purpose to Bulawayo’s youth, while working with government, the civic sector and corporates to create positive change.
Mlondolozi Ndlovu is the 2014 local president of JCI Bulawayo. (email: [email protected] or [email protected])
