It is as simple as that. Anything we do for others means nothing if it is not done with love. This is the message I found highlighted in our community service/interaction session in Robertson on Saturday 4 May 2013. The motto of the Graham and Rhona Beck Skills Centre is “nothing less, than our utmost best”. It is always heartwarming when you meet individuals who are willing to give so selflessly back to their community. It is, however, sad when you find that they feel that the change they want to see is not happening fast enough. It is easy for us to congregate and decide what we can do to contribute towards the well being of a community which we are not a part of because in essence, whatever the outcome may be, it will not affect our own well being. As a team it is different for us. We are passionate about making a difference, leaving our mark, being impactful. Yet, we realize that we are faced with constraints beyond our control. It causes me great frustration that we can only do so much in such a short period of time and hope that it is sustainable and has a ripple effect throughout the community. I could relate to so much of the challenges the people of Robertson are faced with because it is very similar to that of my own community. The issues of teenage pregnancy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, substance abuse, and the issue that moves me the most because of its often overlooked importance, the lack of community leaders and role models. The problem that people seemed to be having was that they could not see life beyond the mountains that surround them. What we would consider a stunning view was a major hindrance for the development of this community because no one could see a future beyond it. The fact that the elders of the community lacked this vision is somewhat expected because as humans do, they get comfortable and prefer the known and start resisting change. However, it is shocking to find that none of the youth have dreams beyond that mountain. They are uninspired, unmotivated and unambitious. This of course is not an insult at all to the youth of the community but rather what should be seen as a result of the lack of guidance and leadership. They have never come across anyone in the community who has gone beyond the mountain and come back to tell tales of their successes in order to encourage them to do the same. They have no one to admire or to describe as the person they wish to be like some day. There is no one to uplift them and motivate them to dream big. I was lucky enough to grow up in a community where domestic violence, substance abuse, teenage pregnancies and youth dropping out of schools are rampant issues. However unfortunate this may seem, my fortune can be measured by the guidance I received through love by my mother. I had someone who thought of me as their greatest investment and who encouraged me to work hard towards my dreams and never give up. To summarize my thoughts, I end with these three quotes: “The world lies in the hands of those who have the courage to dream and who take the risk of living out their dreams – each according to his or her own talent.” – The Valkyries “Love does not ask many questions, because with thinking comes fear. This might be the fear of being scorned, being rejected or breaking the spell. However ridiculous this may seem, that is how it is. This is why one does not ask, one acts.” – By the river Piedra I sat down and wept. “To teach is to show what is possible; to learn is to make yourself possible.” – The Pilgrimage

 

 

WATCH: http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

 

After watching this video, I was reminded that while living with a few North Americans and Europeans at boarding school in Italy, I was interrogated about a fair number of “African” stereotypes. Though, honestly the most obtuse assessment came from a grocer in a supermarket in Italy who refused to accept that I was from “the dark continent” as she called it, because I was a light mulatto, like her. There were more of those comments than I’d like to admit during my time in that country. Nonetheless, I took these and countless others as an opportunity to educate, to broaden perspectives and to explain that hyenas are not common pets in my neighbourhood (again, I am not joking).

I encountered the TED talk above in a research seminar in the Drama Department a couple of weeks ago. The root of what we do in theatre is telling stories so I feel this idea of “the single story” is something that needs to occupy our minds when we create work so we don’t fall into the trap. This clip was also my first encounter with the extraordinary Chimamanda Adichie.

I was reminded of this talk a number of times since seeing it the first time, particularly while reading Mario’s blog post and coming back from the Graham and Rhona Beck Skills Centre in Robertson on Saturday. As part of SAWIP 2013 we will be working with the skills centre to implement a self sustaining community intervention programme in one of the sectors of the community where the skills centre is philanthropically involved. We were overwhelmed by the warm welcome we received from the staff at the centre. Throughout the day we were presented with the various programmes the skill centre is involved in, either directly or through the development division of the winefarm, or through their assisting the principal at Langeberg High School. To name a few of the areas of concern: we were made aware of the apathy within the community and how that is also reflected in the lack of community driven support structures, and the problem of alcoholism and substance abuse among the youth as well as their parents.

One or two of the issues discussed reminded me of the reasons my friends and I began working in Bridgetown, an area along the N2 not unfamiliar with drugs or gangs. I began to wonder if this is the stock image we have for the representation of coloured communities in this area of the country. I know, it isn’t but I have no right deciding what other people may believe. I am not disputing the fact that there are negative social issues affecting these communities but I know there is hope in the same streets. I know there is a mother baking bread for a neighbour, or older siblings helping the young ones read, teenagers are singing in backyards or groups of children playing sport. Some of the talks spoke about the wine farm’s involvement in these areas but I think one of the ways forward will be identifying those activities in the Langeberg school community. I would have loved to engage with the learners in the community, to talk to them and understand their situation from their mouths. We will no doubt go back to do a more “on the ground” assessment later.

For any work we do to having any lasting impact it is imperative that we not look at the community through the lense of the data we know or only the general issues. This is People Centred Development; the way forward is finding solutions with individuals who make up the whole: they live there, they have the tools.

Mario’s blog post: http://www.sawip.org/sawip-team/team-blog/entry/everyone-has-a-story-the-power-of-authentically-shared-and-meaningfully-listened-to-stories

The Graham & Rhona Beck Skills Centre: www.skillscentre.co.za

 

 

(Spoiler alert: It creates apathy and prevents social cohesion)

 

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Shannon Lambrechts and I am a proud South African citizen and Member of the SAWIP Class of 2012. First of all let me thank each and every one of you present tonight for sending us off at this wonderful farewell.

Allow me to share a little about my past with you. I was born and raised in poverty, into a family and circumstances of drugs and gangsterism. I never saw myself being anything other than a gangster or garbage man. A gangster because that was the highest standard set in the area I lived in, and a garbage man because of a cheerful uncle of mine who worked on the garbage truck all his life and would bring home food, gifts and the latest gadgets. When asked where he got them, he always said “at work” and I said: “Wow! I want to do what you do.” At that point working on a garbage truck seemed like a very illustrious career. Me and my friends would even volunteer and help clean up trash in the hopes of making it in this sought-after career.

 

In my family, my father is the breadwinner and my mother is unemployable due to a mental disorder that makes it hard for her to concentrate. Poverty entered our home through my father’s drug and alcohol abuse habits. When I think of my father I can only picture him in a state under the influence of drugs or alcohol, for that is how I saw him most of my childhood. I have an older brother who bravely tried to finish high school, but was unable to get past the 11^th grade. He was told to quit school and find a job. He has been unemployed for the last five years and also lives under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

 

My dreams of becoming a garbage man were shattered when my family moved out of our incredibly dangerous area to a place that was mildly better called Kuils River. In my early school days I still had the mentality of the environment I grew up in. So naturally I resented education for it did not fit into the life I saw for myself. I spent the early years of high school being somewhat of a rebel. My schooling became increasingly difficult during the last few years and no one expected us to make it through the 12^th grade. This was primarily due to the lack of teachers at our school. But here is where my life would change forever. I decided to become my own teacher and took it upon myself to do whatever it took to make it into University. This is where my mind-set shifted and I set my eyes on becoming a scientist. As for my classmates, we made it with a 97% pass rate and most of us managed to find jobs or get into college.

 

Six years later and here I stand, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the end of this year. It was quite difficult for my parents to understand why their ambitious little garbage man had pursued a career in such a “strange” field. I had been told all my life I would never achieve much, that I was branded to become a labourer working for minimum wage stuck in a dead-end job. Well, I would like to hear what those critics have to say now.

I told myself that if I am going to break the circle of poverty, I am going to set the bar high, so that those after me may know what is possible for them. Therefore I have set out to attain nothing less than a Ph.D. in my field of study, Microbiology or Biotechnology, so that my family will never be looked down upon again.

My SAWIP experience has been indescribably amazing. I have grown immensely on this program and will continue to do so long after we are done with the curriculum. During my time in DC I had the pleasure of living with the most fun, generous, and incredible family, Tom, Carol and Max Wheeler. Thank you for not just opening your home, but your heart to me. I truly enjoyed every moment with you. I would also like to acknowledge Sharon Watkins from N Street Village where I completed my work exposure. Thank you Sharon for all you have taught me and for a great opportunity at N Street. And thank you to SAWIP. All of the board members, team management and especially Kim and Claire for making this a memorable experience.

 

I believe this to be a turning point in my life. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the way I was. If I had not embarked on this phenomenal SAWIP journey I fear I would have completed my studies and eventually shipped myself off to Europe or the USA with my Ph.D. as so many have done before, because of the threat of being over-qualified. But I am now more motivated than ever before to complete my studies and stay in South Africa to put my education to use and to inspire and work with other young people. SAWIP has returned to me a long gone pride in South-Africa and renewed sense of responsibility for my country and people.

 

In closing, when we speak about SAWIP and investing in South Africa’s youth, it is often mistakenly assumed that this investment is limited to the individuals on each SAWIP team. What I have come to learn is that investment in a SAWIP student is an investment in a nation. We come from diverse backgrounds and thus when we’re supported, it is not just an investment in one individual, but an investment in the impact each of us will have on communities throughout South-Africa. How will we measure the returns on this investment? It will not be in our own individual accomplishments, it will not be how much money we will one day earn, but it will be in the eyes and spirit of a generation that has found hope and faith in their country like I have. It will be in the hearts and minds of our youth, who will take South Africa to heights it is capable of.

 

Thank you all for making this investment. Thank you for believing in us and helping us to believe in ourselves and our country. Thank you.

We have officially passed the halfway mark of the program and our stay in Washington D.C. No one could have predicted it would go by so quickly, but after an amazing and extremely informative three weeks in D.C, we’re halfway home. Still, at times this entire experience feels like a dream and I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. It has been a phenomenal three weeks in D.C. I have never learnt and grew so much in a personal, professional and leadership capacity, as I am sure the rest of the team have. What has been most outstanding is the extraordinary young leaders I have met in the Washington-Ireland Program (WIP) and New Story Leadership (NSL) group. When I interact with my SAWIP team, WIP and NSL, I feel absolute confidence that the future is bright. I have learnt immensely from my fellow SAWIP team mates and shared with them life changing moments. On all our discussion and dialogues I have come to realise my role and purpose within SAWIP and the world as a whole. I have learnt to develop, nurture and educate myself toward the responsibility that has been placed upon me.

 

This experience, though extremely exciting, has been most uncomfortable, but this I believe has been a good thing. I believe it’s a good thing because it’s a sign to me that I’m busy growing, I’m internally being shaped and formed by my experiences and it’s uncomfortable, because of the growth it stimulates. I don’t believe anyone of us on the team has been at all comfortable. If we were this entire experience would have been worthless. I feel grateful and honored to be a part of this program and realise not only is the future in good hands, but so am I.

We recently had the pleasure of meeting with a U.S based youth development program called Urban Alliance. This non-profit serves up to 500 young people in the cities they operate and provide leadership, mentorship and internship courses for these high school graduates coming from disadvantaged communities. It was refreshing interacting with these passionate group of high-school youths on their way to college. Throughout our dialogue about similarities and differences between Urban Alliance and SAWIP, challenges that face our respective countries and cultural differences, I was taken back to my high school days and remembered a similar organization that invested in me. I stopped to think about how we have been informed on Africa’s potential and South-Africa’s potential in particular in the past few weeks and I wondered how many organizations like Urban Alliance and SAWIP are out there investing in the youth.

We always here on South-Africa’s natural resources and potential for economic growth, but seldom we here people speak on the potential of the youth in South-Africa and their potential to influence social change. I feel programs like SAWIP and Urban Alliance are custodians in what will be the next big investment; the youth. Sure enough SAWIP and Urban Alliance are different from each other on so many levels, but I’m drawing a parallel between their willingness to invest in young people. What dividends will these two organizations gain? Can they draw up a projection of returns to investors over 5, 10 or 20 years into the future?

One thing I have come to recognise is the leap of faith programs such as SAWIP and Urban Alliance take. There is no guarantee that the young people they invest in will generate expected returns in ways money can’t match. There is no projection of outcomes based on trends that they follow. There is only trust, hope and faith. Yet as history has shown, these intangible forces are of greatest importance, and as programs such as SAWIP and Urban Alliance will show, these forces generate dividends that far outweigh any monetary value. We as the SAWIP class of 2012 and everything that we will obtain after this incredible experience, will be the living breathing dividends to the entire world. Our impacts will bellow to the rest of the world and corporates such as Wall street that they missed the boat. When they invested in monetary value of companies, investment into people has surpassed returns of that made by companies.

I reckon human investment, particularly youth investment will soon grow into a self-sustaining market. We, currently in these programmes will be part of the pioneers opening the door to this market which will ever increase and serve as the new way to make social change. But the responsibility is on us to live up to that investment and prove to the world that youth investment is the key to social and global change.

Yesterday evening I had the enormous honour of delivering a speech at the Youth Day celebration hosted by the South African ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, at his beautiful residence in DC. The party was wonderful, the food and wine were South African and the people were utterly fascinating. The theme of the speeches was youth uniting for economic freedom.

Good evening to the South African ambassador, Mr Ebrahim Rasool and Mrs Rasool, SAWIP team and guests. Thank you for the honour of addressing you this evening.

 

 

I am the daughter of a Jewish mother. Most of you will know that few beings are more overprotective, interfering and coddling than the Jewish mother. While carnivores are categorised as meat-eaters or herbivores as plant-eaters, Jewish mothers are categorised as clingers and naggers – the defining feature of this species being their inability to let their child out of their tight ring of overbearing control. So you will understand my complete shock when one day, my Jewish mother turned to me and yelled “just leave! Move out, get a job, pay your own bills, run your own life; just do it while you still know everything”. I was entirely taken aback. For a Jewish mother to reach a point at which she was prepared to defy her biological urge to cling to her offspring and to dismiss her daughter on the basis that she “knows everything” means that she must have entered a place of unparalleled despair at the teenage indolence of the youth she had produced.

 

My mother’s Jewish-mother-genetic-code ignited soon after the incident and she quickly decided that while I was still an adolescent brat, I was her teenager and therefore she was not letting me go. However, her outburst signalled to me what is a far greater problem in the politics and discourse of youth development. There is a common perception that the youth think they know everything but in reality know nothing because of relative life inexperience. This is a problematic observation.

 

There are a number of ways that the youth are understood, generally. One of the most common perceptions, in my experience, is that of youth being a nuisance – a group that sees everything as entitled to them. The youth are often believed to be dangerous, lazy or simply arrogant ‘know-it-alls’. To some, youth is a phase – an intolerable phase. The ideas of people in this phase of life are discounted, because of their lack of experience, or lack of knowledge, or lack of discipline.

 

On a large scale, this translates to the dismissal and disenfranchisement of the youth. The current situation of youth in South Africa involves approximately 4 million young people not in any form of employment, education or training. What does this mean for South Africa’s future? Is it the rebellious radicalisation of youth or the total withdrawal and apathy of youth?

 

On the opposite side of the spectrum, youth can be seen as positive agents of change and as the site of novel ideas and enigmatic solutions. June 16^th 1976 is seen as the youth positively assuming responsibility for their lives. These young people were empowered with the realisation of their own agency. The event we are celebrating tonight is illustrative of the fact that the youth are powerful; our ideas matter.

 

The landscape of the South African resistance movement against apartheid was fundamentally altered by the watershed that was witnessed on June 16^th. The youth of Soweto injected new hope into resistance that ended the period of the ‘Silent Sixties’. Youth leaders and student movements rose to the forefront of the United Democratic Front and anti-apartheid resistance movements in the 1980s. Young people – whose ideas were inspired by Black Consciousness and anger motivated by the catalyst of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction – successfully initiated change in South Africa. This is not dissimilar to the United States in the 1960s or the recent Arab Spring.

 

The parents of these individuals probably decided that these young people thought they “knew everything” too; others saw them as naïve and unrealistic. However, it is clear that the youth “knowing everything” allows the youth to be a powerful force filled with inspiration and energy for change. The current South African landscape is such that the youth need not be dismissed. We need to empower the youth, by stimulating their ideas, inspiring them to think, to solve and to act. We then, quite vitally, need to listen and be prepared to change.

 

People frequently tell me that today’s youth are different to those of 1976 because they are entitled or too self-important to accept instruction. I may sound like an arrogant adolescent who thinks she knows everything in saying this, but I suspect that adults have been dismissing the generations below them for centuries.

 

I am involved in a community development project run from the University of Cape Town that uses debating as a means to teach critical thinking, argumentation and confidence as skills to high school learners in townships of Cape Town. The organisation began as an initiative of the youth and aims to develop skills and knowledge for the youth. The high school learners I have encounter in these classrooms have defied every negative view I have been confronted with about the current youth of South Africa.

 

To me, the success of the project illustrates that if young people are provided with the resources and a space to be empowered with knowledge, they will take it and benefit from it. When youth are given the encouragement and skills to create change, they are capable of doing it.

 

Hindrances to economic freedom in South Africa are deeply entrenched in our history of segregation, inadequate education and inequality. This is not something that is easy to change. The only conceivable way I can see of these happening is the youth innovating ways to pave their own way to economic freedom. This requires education and empowerment. This requires a collaborative effort between government, business and active citizens. Programs like SAWIP do an invaluable job in achieving this.

 

I am not here tonight to inspire a youth revolution. Tonight I would like you all to contemplate the magnitude of what economic freedom means in South Africa. We need to stimulate the youth, inspire them to think, solve and act; then we need to listen and be prepared to change. If the youth unite constructively and with the adequate skills and forums in which to achieve economic freedom, it is possible. Considering that every young person knows everything, this knowledge should be harnessed and not dismissed. I would like to leave you with a quote from Maya Angelou:

“When you know better, you do better”.

 

 

 

"This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the life of ease." As it were, Robert Kennedy stated this in a speech delivered at the University of Cape Town, 1966.

 

The most significant block of youth in the country, which we speak of the very often, are likely to never have read anything written about them in major news forums.