“I want to get involved in the government,” a young woman announces from the back of the lecture theatre at Rhodes University’s Eden Grove. “I want to get involved in the government – not because I am inspired. Because I’m frustrated.”
“I want to get involved in the government,” a young woman announces from the back of the lecture theatre at Rhodes University’s Eden Grove. “I want to get involved in the government – not because I am inspired. Because I’m frustrated.”
Indeed, frustration is what fostered the idea for the first Conference on Leadership in Africa. The conference was organised by the Rhodes Business Society and saw young men and women from across Africa (including Rwanda, Ghana and Mozambique) coming to Grahamstown to discuss the state of leadership in Africa and solutions to some of the problems that the continent is facing.
Jacyn Mitchley, a Rhodes University student who attended the conference explained that it was "interesting to hear the frustration of the youth and [their]new ideas." On more than one occasion, attendees expressed that seeing the younger generation discussing issues that face their countries, shows what a difference the youth can make to the world around them.
One problem that was agreed upon by many of the speakers was that leaders and members of society need to band together. Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University, Saleem Badat, quoted American President Barack Obama as saying: "As the world grows smaller, our common humanity will reveal itself." This sentiment was supported by many of the speakers at the conference, who believe that the way forward for African countries will be to pool together skills and resources.
Using an example from the heart of Grahamstown, Jìmí Adésínà announced that “Nombulelo has no science teachers.” Adésínà, who is a professor of Sociology at Rhodes and the Director of the Transformative Social Policy Programme, pointed out that though there are a number of individuals in Grahamstown who would be overqualified for the post, none are willing to take it. Adésínà attributes this to an attitude of a separation from society within the middle class that needs to be overcome.
Many attendees were pessimistic about Africa’s future. However, the chairman of the Nedbank Group, Dr Reuel Khoza announced that “when you stop hoping, you die”. In his opinion, there is nothing to stop today’s generation from making Africa contribute more towards the global economy.
