Fort Hare Autumn School Leadership Programme (FHAS)

Douglas Dlamini is a third-year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) student at Nelson Mandela University. In 2022, he was a Subcommittee Chairperson of the Black Lawyers Association student chapter (BLAsc). Douglas is a firm believer in activism and an advocate for what is right. As a member of BLAsc, he partakes in the advocacy of student affairs within the university. He is a law student representative who represents fellow students within the university at the Central Disciplinary Committee for various offenses that are brought against them. In 2020, he was part of the Memeza-Anti GBV Campaign activation team at the university, which sole purpose was to raise awareness on GBV matters and hand out contraceptives to students. Douglas also volunteers during holidays at a local NGO called Kgothatsanang in his town. The NGO uses sports, the arts, and cultural events as a social change programme to keep local children out of trouble with the law and drugs. Besides academic and social matters, he is also interested in sports like Soccer, Chess, and Gospel Music.

My hope for South Africa as a young person is to see it as a social democracy whereby socialism is implemented in the country’s social, economic, and political spheres where we see capitalism being gradually replaced through democratic processes. At the core of such a process are values of equality, justice, freedom, and dignity.

Kyra Brown holds an LLB and is currently pursuing her LLM. Her research is on Public International Law (International Human Rights Violations) at Nelson Mandela University and she is currently a Dispute Resolution Specialist at NEASA.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is to make the law accessible to the community and the layman as well as to find a means to build a competitive economy that considers the needs of the working class.

 Ms Sibusisiwe Lucia Mtshake is a graduate of Nelson Mandela University with a BA majoring in Geography and Psychology. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Bed Honours in Education Management, Law, and Policy from the University of Pretoria, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) from Nelson Mandela University Business School.

She is an activist and participated in various leadership roles on campus at NMU between 2006 to 2022: EDHE (Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education) Lekgotla main MC held at the Boardwalk Convention Centre hosted by the Nelson Mandela University, July 2022. Madibaz YouthLab, facilitator for the book launch of Ms Jackie Phamotse Bare IV: Mercy – August 2022. Madibaz Sports Awards MC held at the Indoor Sports Centre – South Campus, October 2022.

She was a Peer Helper, was part of the Mr. & Ms NMMU Local Organizing Committee in 2007, RAG Community Development Subcommittee 2007, African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) Regional Executive Committee (REC) Introduced Tokyo Sexwale as the Guest Speaker at the African National Congress Youth League’s Fundraising Gala Dinner 2007, RAG Secretary General 2008, AIESEC External Relations Sub Committee 2008, Student Governance and Development Societies Merit Awards Programme Director 2008, Peer Conversation HIV & AIDS Conference Guest Speaker 2008, Matric Peer Capacity Building Workshop Mentor hosted by Businesswomen’s Association & NEDBANK supported by Die Burger.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is that we capitalize on skills enhancement. We must ignite our TVET Colleagues to respond to the skills deficit amongst the youth as well as boost those that do. We must encourage an entrepreneurial spirit for job creation. Fundamentally more than anything to ensure that the youth is not idle.

Mbasa Mvenene holds a Bachelor of Administration (Public Affairs) from Walter Sisulu University in 2018 and an Honours Degree in Political Science from Nelson Mandela University in 2019. He recently completed his master’s degree in political studies at Nelson Mandela University in 2022. Mabsa is registered for a Doctor of Philosophy Degree – in Political Studies at Nelson Mandela University in 2023.

He is an Academic, tutoring at Nelson Mandela University, a Writer Respondent at Nelson Mandela University, Lecturer of South Africa Politics at Nelson Mandela University. 

Mabsa is an Activist in the Palestinian Solidarity Organisation (PSO) at Nelson Mandela University.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is reindustrialization to achieve full employment or intensive social protection for those that are unemployed.

Vuyo Ndodana is a post-graduate student of Maritime Studies at Nelson Mandela University. He has a keen interest in Africa's development and the ocean economy, particularly that of the Southern African Development Community. He served in various organisations, including the United Nations Association of South Africa, Amnesty International, and the South African Student Congress.
The ideal of Social democracy is something that he espouses, especially in a country as unequal as South Africa. He believes that it would even out the playing field and ultimately lead to sustainable development and economic growth.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is economic prosperity. South Africa has the potential of being an economic powerhouse and a global force to be reckoned with. For that to happen, we need ethical and decisive leadership to take rank.

Glenda recently completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree with multiple disciplines (Politics, Linguistics, and Psychology) at Rhodes University. 

She is the secretary of the 2023 ActionSA Students’ Chapter and works with the media team to help promote the various missions and objectives of the organisation around campus. Glenda was also featured in thefeminist blog, “Let the Vagina have a Monologue” where she was interviewed about the discourse about mensuration.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is that the equality and justice we talk about so often is more than a statement to colour the constitution, but that it’s actively and authentically worked towards. My hope is that equal access to resources (including education and skills) and the distribution thereof is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

Jordyn Goeieman just completed an Interdisciplinary Honours degree in Development Studies at Rhodes University. With an overall specialisation in social policy and industrial development, he views activism and popular culture as the means through which discourse can be made more accessible. Through these mediums, Jordyn has connected with a diverse circle of artists, activists, and academics on issues of social ills, queer justice, and radical transformation. The melting point of his interests is transformative social politics and climate justice to ensure the youngest most vulnerable members of our communities will be protected in the future. Having had the privilege to work with differently abled children on a one-on-one basis, accessibility to knowledge is more important to him now than ever. In light of the consultancy work FES has done for South Africa’s democratisation process, he eagerly anticipates meaningful engagement on issues including sustainable development, educational challenges, and radical political transformation.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is the achievement of sustainable development that is inclusive of the most vulnerable members of our society: namely the poor, women, children, and trans femmes.

Lucas Nowicki is a Politics Masters candidate at Rhodes University. He is passionate about grassroots activism and local politics. He is also a journalist for GroudUp news, and loves being able to tell the many different stories of everyday South African life and their quest for justice.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is the creation of a just, equitable and sustainable society. The youth will have to be at the forefront of this mission.

Mojabeng Charlotte Thamae is a Rhodes University Student who recently completed a BA Degree Majoring in Law and Politics with hopes of doing her Honours in Politics in 2023. She is a young dynamic and vibrant person who finds a lot of interest in African politics, the law and democracy.

Mojabeng finds joy in learning about leadership and the community and how the two collaborate. She believes in a sharing society and meaningful engagement, hence, in her free time, she prefers engaging in community engagement activities such as donating pads, participating in pad drives and clothing drives as well as any activity that involves giving back to the community, such as soup kitchens and feeding schemes. She has a growing passion for feminist politics and is an advocate for women to be recognised as embodied individuals, who are capable of regulating themselves and their minds.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is for young people, like those of 1976 and older generations, to take charge of their existing power so that they can fight vigorously to shape the future to what they want. Because the future is within the young people’s voices and hence the future is young.

Luyanda Hadebe is a student at Rhodes University (RU) studying a Bachelor of Education Honours in Bilingual Education for Diversity. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Economics, Information Systems and Management from the same institution. Luyanda’s change in career path was largely influenced by her participation in community engagement.

In her first year at the university, she joined the Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) and became a volunteer. Throughout her years at RU, she became tutor and mentor then later served as a Student Leader for two volunteer programmes namely, Nine Tenths and BuddingQ. She received the Gold Award for Excellence in Community Engagement also known as the Student Volunteer of the Year Award, the Rhodes Top 100 Award and the Outstanding Community Engagement Award. Luyanda then became a Programme Coordinator at RUCE, coordinating two volunteer programmes, Nine Tenths and Siyakhana@Makhanda.

Luyanda is passionate about matters concerning education. She strongly believes that everyone should have access to good quality education regardless of the quintile the school is in. 

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is for everyone to have access to all basic needs regardless of their race, gender, age and social background. South Africa has had almost 30 years of democracy but is listed as the most unequal country in the world so what I hope for is for the extreme inequality in the country to be addressed with a sustainable plan.

Nyasha Bikwa is an Award winning LLM Competition Law and Regulation student at the University of Fort Hare. She holds an LLB Degree from the University of Fort Hare and she is currently doing her LLM in Competition Law and Regulation. Her research is titled Rethinking the South African approach to competition regulation: An analysis of the existing models. She is passionate about youth activism and more importantly the participation of youth in the different spheres of the government. She has held various leadership positions such as the Chairperson of Amnesty International and also worked as a Facilitator and Tutor at the University of Fort Hare. She is a Publication Assistant at the Southern Africa Law Teachers Conference Book Publication. She previously worked with a number of Public Relations companies doing Administrative work. Her goal is to make Africa a better continent for future generations and to contribute towards ensuring that Africa benefits more from its fruits and wonders through the regulation of laws, especially in the mining sector.

One of the many things she is very passionate about is the emancipation of both the girl and boy child in societies. She believes that both boys and girls are competent of exceedingly doing great things given a chance to do so and the world must start viewing the world through a gender-inclusive eye.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is to see the youth getting more opportunities to grow in various sectors including politics.

Khaka Libolethu Mbandazayo is a final year LLB student at the University of Fort Hare. He prides himself as an individual who is passionate, hardworking, and driven. His leadership was sharpened by being part of the Activate Change Drivers programme which aims to reshape South Africa by connecting, equipping, and supporting a critical mass of young leaders drawn from across the poles of South African society to drive public innovation.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is a society governed by ethical leadership, free of corruption and a love for humanity.

Mduduzi Nene is a student at the University of Fort Hare studying toward a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree. He is a Peer Facilitator for Basic Language and Academic Writing skills, and an Associate at the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC). Mr. Nene holds a National Diploma in Tourism Management (CUM-LAUDE) from Walter Sisulu University.  His desire to make a difference in civil society is what inspired him to pursue his law education.

Mduduzi is a youth activist and an advocate for human rights and equal justice for all. He is a student officer for Environmental, Climate and Gender Based Violence for Amnesty International. He is also a member of ENECTUS and Black Management Forum (BMF). His interests are commercial & corporate Law, Public Interest Law and Human Rights Law. He holds a certificate for African Human Rights Systems in comparative Perspectives and Civil Society Law in Africa from the African Human Rights Centre at the University of Pretoria.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is a country that is based on Social Democracy Practically. A democratic state founded on human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. A society that is highly dominated by education on political economy and the promotion of youth participation in politics, as a way to curb youth unemployment, corruption, drug and substance abuse. A South Africa that constitutes an educational system founded on the curriculum that promotes not only theory but skills development programmes and research from primary, secondary and higher institutional levels.

Chuma Memela holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Cum Laude) with majors in Economics and Information Systems. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Information Systems for which he was awarded the top student award. He is currently pursuing his Master of Commerce degree in Information Systems and works as a junior lecturer at the University of Fort Hare.

In the past, he has been involved in religious work where he was a youth leader. During school holidays he volunteered at the “holiday club”, a weeklong church program where the members would engage in religiously educating the youth. During his short-lived stay at NMMU, Chuma had the privilege of serving as the security officer as part of the Xanadu Residence Sub-Committee of 2015. His activist history entails being part of the 2016 FEES MUST FALL national shutdown which lasted about 8 weeks at the institution.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is that we can leverage the technology and opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution as a means to upskill our people and address poverty, unemployment, and inequality plight.

Sandiso Mbulawa holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB). He is currently working toward the completion of a Master of Laws in Competition Regulations (LLM CompReg). He has presented a few academic papers at national and international conferences. His research interests include but are not limited to Competition Law, Intellectual Property Law, Consumer Law, International Trade Law, and Mineral and Petroleum Abstraction (Mining Law). Outside of academics, he has been engaged in student activism since his arrival at the University of Fort Hare. Due to his activism, he has ascended into several leadership roles amongst them including Treasurer of the Law Student Council, SRC Academic Affairs, and SRC Premier. He is currently leading a civil organisation called “Student for Law and Social Justice” (SLSJ), Postgraduate Student Association, and he is an Academic Intern in the Law Faculty.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is not to see the parishioners of poverty and human desperation begging any longer on every street corner in our country's cities and towns.

Nqaba Tyali holds a Bachelor of Human Settlements degree with honours from the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus. He has served in various student led organisations such as the Institute of Human Settlement Practitioner Student Chapter (University of Fort Hare branch), where he served as the marketing officer, he is also the former chairperson of Youth Quake at the Alice campus. His interest in assisting others made him join the Teaching and Learning Centre at the University of Fort Hare where he served as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for the Introduction to the Concept of Development. He received a certificate of appreciation for being an outstanding Supplemental Instruction Leader in 2021 because of his commitment, diligence, and aspirational mindset. He was then entrusted with the role of being a Student Assistant at the Teaching and Learning Centre for the Supplemental Instruction Programme.

He regards himself as a housing activist not only because he is within the Human settlements sector but because he believes that for a person to be dignified and have a sense of belonging a person must have a comfortable and habitable space and place to live in. He is an advocate for housing and land rights.

Apart from his activism Nqaba is also an entrepreneur, he is the sole director of Maqiya Rentals.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is for it to become a place of hope for the youth where they can be able to unleash their potential and not encounter gatekeeping.

Lindokuhle Sibaya is an aspiring Social Work Student, currently in her fourth-year level at the University of Fort Hare. She is passionate about social development and social change, as well as advocating for young people in the development of communities and social democracy. She believes that young people are the key to development and change. With the world evolving Lindokuhle is also an LGBIQ+ community ambassador where she advocates for policy effectiveness that protects the LGBTIQ+ community at the University of Fort Hare. She believes that if we conquer the discrimination that revolves around the community it will be easier for us to conquer discrimination, racial division, and inequality in terms of gender identity and sexual orientation. She is a peer educator and a secretary in the Social Work Student Association (SWSA), she is also part of the student secretariat program that aims to deal with issues that affect students inside the institution involving different political parties, societies, and organizations (Student Parliament). Lindokuhle is also a member of a youth program in her village which alters our chances for young active youth to participate in the development of their villages also giving them chances in becoming community leaders in their respective communities.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is that it deals with inequality, racial and sexual division. I also hope that we can be able to conquer corruption and political injustices, by doing so I believe that we can have a solid and unified South Africa.

Sisipho Matebese is studying towards her Master’s degree in the Department of Development Studies at the University of Fort Hare. She currently works at Student Affairs, as a coordinator for the Peer Education Programme in HIV/AIDS Unit. She is passionate about activism and leadership, and has been active and volunteering in the following programmes: (i) Peer Education Programme, (ii) Higher Health COVID-19 Warrior’s Programme, (iii) Heritage Ubuntu Student Fellowship Programme, and (iv) Alice Youth Crime Prevention Desk.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is for the youth to be brave enough to take up space and become dependable leaders who are grounded on authenticity, trustworthiness and transparency.”

Tshoto Vuyelwa is a Social Worker, currently studying towards a master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus. She is a public speaker and assists learners to access higher learning education and training.

During her studies, Vuyelwa acquired a number of skills through internal and external leadership/developmental programmes such as First Year Experience mentorship programme (FYE), Peer Educator at HIV/AIDS unit, Peer Helper/Intern Social Worker at Student Counselling Unit, a champion against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She also worked as a student assistant at the Dean of Student’s Office and led for three consecutive years as an organiser, secretary and chairperson in Social Work Student Association (SWSA) respectively. She is a graduate of youth leadership networks; Activate Change Drivers and Youth Capital Network where she was trained in various leadership aspects.

She is currently a volunteer at the Department of Social Development.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is that it recognises the youth, giving them more space and opportunities as they carry the nation's dreams because they are advocates for the best and most needed change in our country.

Simangele Mnqonywa is a University of Fort Hare student. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the same field. She participated and trained in different political and non-political organisations - where she was afforded a chance to lead in some of these organisations within the institution. She is an Advocate for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Being a young person in South Africa, to her, means carving out a space for yourself, being self-driven because the state offers limited opportunities to young people, and waiting for those opportunities while doing nothing may cost another life.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is that it will become a better place to empower and collaborate with young people in all aspects of the country's development including economy and politics. Seeing Policymakers and stakeholders in large corporations taking measures to reduce climate change, and governments taking a more active role in laws to preserve environmental conservation and human rights.

Lukhanyo Mbashe is pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree at Walter Sisulu University. As a Writing Center Assistant at his university, his current role entails assisting students with any problems relating to their academic work and is also part of Frank Talk Sessions (from the Writing Center) that are made up of the reading club and dialogues. There is a component of arts (performance in poetry, hip hop, singing, dancing, comedy, DJs and beat makers). His interests outside of the university are in leadership, management, and the improvement of the community through education.  He assists young people in enrolling in higher education institutions. In his spare time, he volunteers in youth initiatives that encourage young people to become informed about global issues and give them the tools they need to become future scholars and leaders.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is to see an end to the anxiety and fear felt across our country as a result of a lack of economic opportunities.

Pollen Lebese Jokweni holds two qualifications: A National Diploma in Management, a postgraduate certificate in education in the Senior phase, and Further Education from Walter Sisulu University. He obtained both qualifications from Walter Sisulu University, where he is currently pursuing a PGDIP in Inclusive Education. Pollen is a former member of the Man’s Forum in the Chris Hani District, where he served as a Peer Assistant Learning Leader and Wellness Mentor at Walter Sisulu University.  He is passionate about working with young people and his goal is to make contributions to the South African Education system.

As a young person, my hope for SA is to have Inclusive Education, schools that cater to all kids' needs, and a government that is transparent and accountable.

Sibabalwe Kela is a Data Capturer Intern for the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) at the Department of Education in Butterworth, while also pursuing a Bachelor of Administration Honours at Walter Sisulu University's Mthatha Campus.  She holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Management and a National Diploma in Office Management and Technology. She has always been passionate about leadership, she's been a Peer Assisted Learning Leader (PALL), a Writing Centre Assistants Team Leader, and Wellness Peer- to help other students with their academics and refer them to the student counselling section when they're suffering life issues to lessen despair and anxiety on campus.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is to see young people taking a lead, expanding the frontiers of freedom and opportunities for everyone, as well as working together to build a South Africa that is truly united, non-racial, non-sexist, equal and prosperous.

A Bachelor of Administration Honours Student and a Presidential Youth Employment Initiative Intern

Siphosethu Mase is from Queenstown, Ilinge in the Eastern Cape. She is an education enthusiast. She holds a B-Tech degree in Horticultural Sciences from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Walter Sisulu University. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Education Honors in Inclusive Education at Walter Sisulu University. At the University she works as a writing center assistant where she helps undergraduate students with academic writing. She is also part of the WSU Frank Talk Sessions, an activism platform aimed at promoting social, political, and economic dialogues/conversations for university students to voice out their opinions and promote critical thinking.

Outside the university, she’s involved in philanthropic activism and is a co-founder of the Philanthropic and Intersectional Foundation where she promotes toiletry and sanitary towel drives/programs. She is also involved in private tutoring and is also part of an NPO where she supervises and implements backyard food gardens, and promotes sustainable farming and entrepreneurial skills.

As a young person, my hope for South Africa is a resurgence of the black revolution and the reconstruction of a society whose foundations are laid upon three pillars, Ubuntu, Justice, and Freedom. A society where the youth is assimilated into political spaces for the betterment of our communities.

Ntsikelelo Mbiko is an Information Technology (Communication networks) student at Walter Sisulu University. He is a member of Enactus and serves as a Development officer. He is also a Deputy Secretary in the creative arts leadership. Off campus, Ntsiklelo interacts with the community in his village, they formed a soccer club for youngsters so that they can have something to do in their free time. Ntsiklelo is against GBV.