PE women to speak at World Youth Forum
● Duo excited to share vision of their organisations on global platform
Two young women from Port Elizabeth will have the opportunity to speak to global leaders about their nonprofit organisations at the second annual World Youth Forum in November.
Nozibele Qamngana and Samkelwe Gqomo are among 300 young leaders from around the world attending the forum, which will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Each year, entry lines are opened to the global community to register for selection, with those applying asked to motivate why it is key for them to attend the forum and further unpack their roles in their immediate communities.
The World Youth Forum, launched in 2017, aims to provide youngsters with a platform to interact and exchange views while recommending initiatives to decision-makers and influential figures.
Qamngana, 27, moved from the corporate industry to work for the Ubuntu Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that supports vulnerable children, as she wanted to make a difference in her community.
Qamngana, the foundation’s spokesperson and ambassador, said her earlier travels to New York in 2002 opened up a world way beyond Port Elizabeth.
“I was part of a cultural exchange programme [and we] spent three weeks in New York, exploring the city and its culture, and observing the work done at the United Nations headquarters,” she said.
“Born in the hardships of Port Elizabeth’s townships, I knew my mission and purpose in life were to use my voice to bring about change.
“This year’s forum is part of my ongoing advocacy work to be part of a network of young people who continuously seek to work together and change their communities.
“I’m looking forward to meeting other like-minded young people from across the world.
“I’m also hoping to bring more urgency in South Africa, for our government to recognise how investing in young people yields good results.”
Gqomo, 27, is founder and director of the Womandla Foundation, which aims to inspire, celebrate and equip African women with life skills.
She believes having a good support system assists not only emotionally but also psychologically to boost confidence.
“As the organisation we have a slogan that says ‘Womandla to the world’.
“Africans value community and supporting one another but aren’t really aware of how important emotional support is for mental health, and we help them find those spaces.”
Gqomo studied marketing management at NMU and started Womandla online, moving to a fully fledged NGO earlier in 2018.
“Platforms such as the forum are great, to have such conversations with the greater Africa and the world.
“I’m very excited about attending, and I’m looking forward to engaging with various women from all walks of life.”