The year
I turned 20, I saw myself making a huge contribution to creating change in Africa.
I was in my second year at Cape Peninsula University of
Technology and still in the euphoric state from
witnessing Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as our first democratically elected
president. The diplomatic rhetoric in the mainstream media captivated my
attention as most of our leaders narrated the notion of Africans uniting. That
fuelled my senses with overflowing hope as I filled my mind with Big Dreams and an idealistic
vision of visiting each country around our continent to advance my vision of
working together towards African exceptionalism. As a young girl, I couldn’t
comprehend why we’ve always been perceived as the “Dark Continent”, the Africa of “The
Gods must be Crazy” film or as portrait in Joseph Conrad’s s novel “Heart of Darkness;” an image of
Africa that is dark and inhumane.
20 years down the line the plans and dreams I've envisioned hadn't
come to fruition. One thing naturally led to
another as I evolved and got busy with life, but more importantly I grew timid
and got frightened each time I convinced myself that my dream is far-fetched. This
was because I was confronted with the reality that, world leaders toil endlessly
at global summits and yet we still face war, poverty, famine and other daunting challenges.
It was only after I saw my son’s T-Shirt inscribed boldly “Africa is not for
Sissies” that I rehashed my youthful spirit and stirred myself to believe we
can still do more as Africans. We can courageously employ our resourcefulness; harness the
strength of our people to sacrifice and work harder towards growth and
sustainable development. Nevertheless, much as I come back with a
renewed spirit, allow me to enlighten you on what I wish I knew then, because I
understand it better now. I do this with the hope of preparing you to confront
your fears when met with hindrances along your journey to contributing to
positive social-change. I have three suggestions that I wish someone had told me.
1st You’re never too Young To Think
About Your Role as a Leader.
Virtually all young people have a clear
perception of what is wrong in the world and vivid ideas for constructive
change; they lack only the confidence and skills to carry them out. Their ideas
and energy should be translated into a value system that will enable them to
become good leaders. A desperate need for effective and ethical leaders exists
in every community, in every neighborhood, in every country. Fortunately, the fact
that you are reading this piece is in no doubt a sign that you have decided to break
out of the herd mentality and have chosen the less traveled path of
influencing others in a positive way. NOW!!! Is the perfect time to see you as
the LEADER the world have been waiting on to create positive changes that will
impact greatly on humanity???
2nd Emotional Intelligence Is A Critical
Component Of A Leader.
Society needs more ethical and effective
leaders willing to take
responsibility to make things go right through guiding people toward using
their fullest potential to meet the rational needs of others. Emotional Intelligence will open your mind
to ‘stable values,’ that will provide a solid foundation in building your
charismatic influence as a leader. It will provide you with an opportunity to
explore your inner being and your impact on others, as well as the ethical
basis for human relations as you create a language to talk about real life
issues in a safe and authentic way.
3rd Develop Critical Thinking Skills
That Produce Better Life Choices
The company you keep does have an
impact and influence on your choices, be wary of who you’re rolling with
because it influences your thoughts, your beliefs, your language and your
outlook in life. Responsibility to yourself means refusing others to do your
thinking, and the essence of leadership is an independent mind that
internalizes wisdom before reacting. Harness your critical thinking skills,
prepare to learn more and use that knowledge constructively as you genuinely
detach from popular opinion or coerced social discourse and make a difference
in your environment.
When I searched inventions that took
place 40 years ago, I was delighted to discover that in 1974 (the year that I was born), a young Professor
of architecture in Budapest (Hungary) named Erno Rubik created an object that
was not supposed to be possible. His solid cube twisted and turned - and still
it did not break or fall apart. With colourful stickers on its sides, the Cube
got scrambled and thus emerged the first “Rubik’s Cube”. It took well over a
month for Erno to work out the solution to his puzzle. Little did he expect
that Rubik’s Cube would become the world’s best-selling toy ever?
There's so much to do, and there's never
enough time. There are deep problems, painful problems -- problems that quick
fix approaches can't solve. As I researched and prepared this message, I became
particularly interested on how countries around the world are preparing young
people to get involved in decision making processes. I suppose this to be the
best approach to drive our majestic continent forward, and I accept as true for
as long as I feel young, I shall rename the Rubik’s Cube to the Africa’s Cube
and turn social issues that are not supposed to be possible into workable
solutions created by young minds.
“I am not young but I
feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie!
I feel that to live is a wonderful thing.”
Coco Chanel
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