Move to integrate Africa’s young people

YOUNG people from different cultures and backgrounds can benefit from seeking solutions together and from learning from people outside their lived experiences.

This is the view of the founders of the One Africa Project, a platform for young people to discuss their problems and to facilitate youthdriven solutions.

The organisation came about when Ludovic Bokuli, a CPUT business management and entrepreneurship student, noticed fellow students on his campus were socialis- ing according to their racial and cultural backgrounds and there was little integration of social spaces.

Bokuli, who originates from Congo, discussed his observation with his friends and countrymen and together, they decided to start a platform where students could get together and learn from each other.

The One Africa Project was launched last month and seeks to “create a generation of youth who are conscious about Africa and passionate about the continent’s development”, Bokuli said.

noloyiso.mtembu@inl.co.za

I grew up in a staunchly religious home. My father was a pastor, so our home was everyone’s home. It was always filled with people from the community. My parents over extended themselves – sometimes to our own detriment, but it was who they were and we fell in line.

Our house was full of people, food and faith, what else do you need?

My mom always said, “you give excellence in everything you do”. It was a culture she encouraged in the community too, and it’s what shaped me in all aspects of my life. I am because of who they are.

We are living in a time where anything is possible for South African youth. We are on par with the rest of the world

I was fortunate to graduate with a degree. And I have seen the incredible impact education has had on my life and my career. There’s a huge sense of professionalism and maturity that happens at tertiary level.

It’s an experience that can’t be translated, it is a feeling

Growing up, I watched famous people grow themselves through helping others. They had a platform to create change and they used it unselfishly. Angelina Jolie took her fame and used it to spread a