YOUTH POWER: GROWING SOUTH AFRICA TOGETHER IN THE PERIOD OF COVID-19

ABOUT

Join Iziko and Young Conversation Starters for a facilitated virtual discussion:

YOUTH POWER: GROWING SOUTH AFRICA TOGETHER IN THE PERIOD OF COVID-19

This conversation will explore how young South Africans are dealing with their current reality, and will reflect on the role of youth in South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

About the speakers

Sipho Shezi:

Sipho Shezi is the founding member of DCO Matiwane Youth League and its President in 1979. As an activist, he stood up against racial oppression and for the rights of young people. He also worked closely with a number of NGOs in pursuit of a just society. He served as a lecturer at UKZN and Rhodes universities. In a post 1994 South Africa, Shezi was the youngest Director-General of the country’s first administration. He was tasked with creating the Department of Public Works and putting together a single works administration from remnants of various apartheid created administrative departments. He is a strategist and has served as a ministerial advisor.

CANDICE MAMA: “Forgiveness Redefined”

Candice Mama is the author of “Forgiveness Redefined”. She started working in forgiveness, reconciliation and trauma after forgiving apartheid assassin, Eugene De Kock, for her murdering her father. Her passion lies in healing trauma and redefining one’s own narrative after pain. She uses multiple sources to do so, besides speaking, writing a book, contributing to global dialogues and utilizing creative platforms to spread the message of internal peace, hope and forgiveness. 

CHUMANI MAXWELE: “The Role of Youth in Activism in South Africa’s Democracy” 

Chumani Maxwele is an activist and public intellectual who was involved in the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements that questioned white supremacy, institutional racism and Eurocentric curricular at institutions of higher learning. Maxwele is a Master’s degree candidate at the University of Cape Town. 

LINDOKUHLE PATIWE: “Fallism and the Struggle for Free Decolonized Education”

Lindokuhle Patiwe is a post-grad student at the University of Cape Town, studying the links between a philosophy of a people and their language. He is a young activist interested in Social Justice for Black people. He identifies himself as a ‘Fallist’ and constitutional abolitionist. He is also a member of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), leads a provincial structure of its student wing, the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA).

MELENE ROSSOUW: “The Role of Youth in South Africa’s Legal Practice & Constitutional Democracy”

Melene Rossouw is versatile, innovative and results-driven female with a broad skills-set. She is an attorney by profession with more than 12 years working experience in the legal, governmental and nongovernmental spheres. Some of the positions she has held were attorney, legal researcher, national cabinet committee secretary, special advisor to the minister, ministerial spokesperson, special projects manager and strategic partnerships and advocacy director. Melene has had the privilege of serving in respected offices such as The Constitutional Court of South Africa, Western Cape High Court, The Presidency of South Africa and two National Ministries. In 2017, Melene co-founded the ‘Women Lead Movement’ and currently serves as an Executive Director in the organisation. 

For more info contact: Wandile Kasibe, Public Programmes Coordinator, Education Department, Iziko Museums of South Africa.

Please note: Password to Zoom will be sent via email on the day of the event.