New history for AfriCAN Future Leaders at Freedom Park

The youth must work towards a transfer of real and visible power to the people

Twenty-eight AfriCAN Future Leaders, aged 10 to 32, were honoured for the remarkable work they have done in their communities and businesses on 3 June during Youth Month, at Freedom Park, Pretoria. 

It was a momentous, sacred moment for these phenomenal social entrepreneurs, as Freedom Park celebrates so many struggle heroes and heroines who gave their lives for the liberation struggle. The group of youngsters comprised artists, environmentalists, ICT experts, agriculturalists and accountants. 

In their speeches, the Future Leaders expressed their gratitude to have excelled as youths who are now able to rewrite the history of South Africa. They also expressed their joy of having access to the many freedoms that their parents did not have. They shared with the audience what they do in their companies, what freedom means to them, and how they would change the education system if they could. Marshal Nganunu said that without good quality education and economic enablement for the youth there is no future for South Africa.

Kutloano Malahlela was selected for his exceptional work in the community development sector. He founded the Eye of Hope organisation when he was 14. Malahlela is a second-year student at the University of Johannesburg and is a volunteer champion and staunch stakeholder of the UJ Community Engagement Unit. He facilitates workshops focusing on the community development sector for UJ students. 

Their passion, tenacity and conscious leadership skills is what prompted Anthea Thyssen-Ambursley, the founder of AfriCAN Child Your Time is Now (Pty) Ltd, to honour the youth annually for their efforts. Her aim is to promote ubuntu leadership among the youth; she believes that the next generation should lead from a place of kindness and empathy. 

Thyssen-Ambursley said there was a new economy and a new South Africa in the room, and that the youth want to become part of the leadership and assist with sorting out the country’s current challenges. Their hopes are high, and they say whatever issues affect them, they should be part of coming up with the solutions to them.

She allowed them to unpack the words “freedom” and “rights”, she asked three questions in her opening speech: 

1. Do we POWER right now? 

2. Do we have RIGHTS right now? 

3. Are we really free to ACT, SPEAK and EXPRESS ourselves right now? 

The trophies presented to the AfriCAN Future Leaders are crafted from Zimbabwean stone in the shape of the “amandla” power to the people fist. Thyssen-Ambursley said the trophy symbolises her wish for the youth to work towards “a transfer of real and visible power to the people’’. The objectives of the AfriCAN Future platform are to create a new MOVE-MENT for the youth to dialogue and come up with solutions to solve their challenges. She concluded that: “Power lies in their hands!”

She thanked CEO Jane Mufamadi of Freedom Park SA for sponsoring the Sanctuary Venue, Tshepo Matlou from Sobona (Pty) Ltd for sponsoring the trophies, the South African State Theatre for the PA sound system, Tarryn Johnston from Hennops River Revival for sponsoring transport fees to the youth, the organisations that nominated the youth and Imaan Suliman for sponsoring refreshments. 

Thyssen-Ambursley urged corporate South Africa and the media to join hands with her to build up the youth to bring about change. Any contribution is welcome.

Get in touch with her on email: [email protected] 

or WhatsApp: +27 (0) 84 602 4439. 

Facebook: AfriCAN Future Leaders.