Delighted Spokazi cracks nod at youth leader awards
Spokazi Tyiwani, co-ordinator of marketing and communications at Bumb’Ingomso Communications, was recently recognised as one of SA’s top 100 Youth Leaders at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund National Youth Summit at the national assembly in Cape Town.
Tyiwani was the only person from the Eastern Cape to receive this award, after dedicating efforts to mentoring the young women from the Bumb’Ingomso leadership programme in preparation for the summit.
“This came as a huge shock. “I thought the event was solely for the youngsters who took part in the consultations, but I was ushered to a VIP table at the gala evening dinner and was told I would be receiving an award.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” said the 31-year-old, who has played a vital role in Bumb’Ingomso since 2016.
The East London-based Bumb’Ingomso aims to develop, support and motivate youngsters to fulfil their potential and its leadership programme focuses on empowering young women.
Embracing the theme “A Mandela in Every Nation”, the youth summit provided youngsters with an opportunity to discuss issues affecting them.
Those who manifest and emulate Nelson Mandela’s values are honoured through the youth leaders award.
“The Eastern Cape often loses young people because of a lack of opportunities, so I feel very privileged to be able to stay in my province and help youngsters face challenges head-on,” Tyiwani, who hails from Mthatha, said.
“I come from the same place as Madiba and to receive an award for promoting and embodying his legacy gives me a huge sense of validation.
“It’s made me reflect on myself and the positive impact I can have.”
While Tyiwani’s official role within Bumb’Ingomso is to find and use effective communication strategies to inspire a behavioural change among the youth, her passion lies with mentorship and guidance.
Her recognition as a youth leader in the category for supporting education among girls is a testament to this.
“Mentoring youngsters, particularly young women, and connecting them to opportunities through our various programmes is my purpose – I feel I was born to do it,” she said.
In her time at Bumb’Ingomso, Tyiwani has been involved in the project’s ongoing leadership camps, its partnership with the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator project and the launch of the opportunity hub in East London.
Tyiwani has also been involved in the production of Bumb’Ingomso’s youth empowerment magazine, Yakha, as part of the editorial team which launched the publication last year.
“I was very proud that nine of the 20 young women chosen for the Mandela Children’s Fund national consultation this year are members of the Bumb’Ingomso leadership programme.
“I plan to ensure more youngsters from our programmes and province get an opportunity like this,” she said.
“I want more people from the Eastern Cape to be recognised as the top 100 youth leaders and I plan to prepare a huge delegation of youngsters for next year’s youth summit.”