Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Musician minds what matters
Jimmy Nevis is an advocate for education and talks of his inspiration
THE education of the next generation of leaders is at the forefront of minds this weekend, as South Africa pays tribute to the youth of 1976.
Forty-two years later the struggle for access to education is still more relevant than ever.
In response to the challenge faced by many thousands of young people in Cape Town, musician Jimmy Nevis created the Blue Collar Foundation (BCF) to effect change in the community he grew up in.
“Our main focus is to encourage the youth to dream beyond their circumstances and believe in themselves,” Nevis said. “The youth of June 16, 1976, stood up and changed the course of history in South Africa, and we believe that this generation has it within them to drive our country forward, and progress in a world rich with opportunities.”
The J Nevis Bursary is one such initiative, which funds a student’s higher education for the duration of their studies, with the help of donors and supporters.
This year, the Genesis Foundation has stepped in to help fund the 2018 beneficiary.
We caught up with Nevis to find out what inspires him about youth education in South Africa. in many respects.
We have opportunities, but we need to prepare ourselves.
If you want to study across the globe, you can do that.
If you want to travel, there are options. We have so much that our parents didn’t have.
Young people are bridging gaps right now. But as much as there are opportunities there is also a lot of struggle. Every generation has had their struggle, whether it’s #FeesMustFall or having to deal with other social issues in our country. of being part of something so much bigger. And I want to see as many youth as possible experience this. This is probably why I advocate for education, it is a part of my being.
I actually had no plans to study. My plan was to move to Los Angeles, sleep on the street and make music. I was going to be a struggling musician, or die trying. My mom told me “you can do whatever you need to do, but you are not going to be a stupid musician”.
I didn’t understand that at the time, and I’m so grateful I listened to her, and my dad. message together with the UN. A big motivation for me becoming a musician was to give back in a much more efficient and meaningful way.
My family and I performed at community events and church fund-raisers, this has been my life for a long time. And when Jimmy Nevis became a household name, I knew I could use my publicity to help those in need and be a voice for people who aren’t heard. The foundation was started by my friend Cassidy (Emmanuel) and myself.
I’m living my dream. I get to make my own rules. My hope is for young people to be creative and expand their minds; to think big, start their own businesses and create things they have never created before. My hope is that they innovate and become bigger than their dreams. I always hope they never forget where they come from and the sacrifices others who came before them made.
The Blue Collar Foundation and the Genesis Foundation are trying to bridge the gaps in access to opportunities for learning. People are still working five times harder to achieve the things others are able to do in five minutes. Society can create an environment for young people to excel.
‘My hope is for
minds, think big’
Without a doubt, education. It’s going to open doors for you to travel, to meet new and different types of people. It will challenge your mind and push you to reach your potential.
But there are many things that come with education like support at home. The transition from high school to university can be very tough.
I was fortunate that my mum had studied at tertiary level and she could prepare me for the struggles I would face during my time at UCT.
We also need better role models in leadership positions today to be examples to the youth who will follow in their footsteps. – Issued by the Blue Collar Foundation