In South Africa, our young population, with a median age of 29, signifies a wealth of untapped potential. Investing in their skills and passions is crucial for the evolution of our democracy.
Image: IOL
Zamayirha Peter is an advocacy communications specialist
Image: Zamayirha Peter
The book of Proverbs 22:29 talks about how if you are skilled and disciplined in your work, the results will be known by those in influential and impactful platforms. This is encouraging, but for me, it is not the full story.
I like to refer to this scripture whenever I reflect on the past 10 years of my career which began at the early age of 16.
How I have managed to find employment, discover my purpose and mobilise communities across the continent is both a human rights story and, ultimately, a God story.
In the past 10 years, I have had the privilege of access to kings and ordinary men and women of this continent and its global allies, who have informed my continued why. In this blog post,
I reflect on my milestones, my purpose, and my next as I look to enter my thirties, together with those born post-1994.
I love the African continent, especially my country, South Africa.
As we navigate through opportunities provided by nature, we must also address the pressing challenges within our public and private sectors. Collective wellness and effective leadership are essential in shaping a thriving society. Let's work towards a future where every stakeholder contributes to our shared success
Continental Footprint and Global Affairs
In the past decade of my career, as I bid farewell to my twenties and look forward to my thirties, it has been a challenge, privilege, and great honour to have served this continent and country as a journalist, media practitioner, and now, an advocacy communications specialist.
I have worked in nine countries on the continent and provided communications support and advice to many nations, general elections, and governments.
I have been involved in global conversations and campaigns and have produced multimedia material that has added to what is needed to craft a thriving, inclusive economy and global system that shapes and is shaped by the realities and needs of people.
As a people over profits, to profit – believer. I am convinced that more can come from the private sector if it can, in its pursuit of revenue and growth, centre the human experience around the building of its functions.
The echoes of our past resonate deeply as we strive for a brighter future. Our country's journey from a colonial and apartheid legacy is one of resilience and growth. It's time for our mandated institutions — government, media, judiciary, legislature, and executive — to embrace their privilege and responsibility, leading us towards effective governance and meaningful global interactions. Let's harness the goldmine of potential that South Africa holds!
As a country, we already produce world-class scientists, athletes, artists and lawmakers, to name a few. I believe that each wing can do better to frame and co-govern this country towards a consolidated system and position it to thrive.
As Africans, notwithstanding our economic challenges, we have the raw materials, human resources and blueprint that can be referenced globally on what it takes and is required to realise a functional world that gives to the people who serve it.
In South Africa, our young population, with a median age of 29, signifies a wealth of untapped potential. Investing in their skills and passions is crucial for the evolution of our democracy. It's inspiring to see them taking initiative and actively creating opportunities. Let’s support this vibrant movement for change
Instead, we have opted to build longer tables, where engagement and the sharing of dynamic views and values can coexist towards crafting a society, we can all contribute to.
My advice to anyone in their twenties would be to harness your passions and partner them with purpose and a mission to embody the change you wish to see in the world. It is difficult and inauthentic to champion or advocate for something far removed from your lived experience, personal values and beliefs.
One of the taglines of my company, Ideas That Walk, through our leadership development hub, offered across the continent, is that we get leaders we deserve because they come from our society and mirror its realities publicly. Who you choose to become privately has a direct consequence on who you are publicly.
I plan to use my 30s to build a continued legacy of access. I want the ordinary girls and boys who come from humble beginnings to feel equally empowered to engage in the shaping of the country. I want the ordinary girls and boys who come from humble beginnings and systemic limitations to feel equally empowered to engage in the shaping of the country.
Many of us come from unfavourable conditions, and we must never underestimate the dire and continued consequences of colonialism and apartheid on us as a continent and global community. This matters and must never be ignored as it continues to shape our understanding of the world in great lengths.
The good news is that the world needs more people who will allow themselves to positively and meaningfully shape this world; because of where they come from, we all have something meaningful to contribute.
Dig deep into your why and allow the community to contribute to shaping your how.
* Zamayirha Peter is an advocacy communications specialist with over eight years of experience in multimedia journalism and communications. Her passion is using development communications to contribute to the advancement and empowerment of communities, particularly the youth, across the continent and influence global conversations through using strategic communication tools