About a year
ago, while applying for a scholarship, I was asked to write about “LEADERSHIP: A personal
experience or an aspiration” where I had to describe a specific activity or
organization, mine or another’s, in which I had been directly involved as an
activist or leader. In 400 words, I had to outline the challenges I had faced,
how I had resolved them and what I learnt about myself in the process. I was
still a member of the SRC (Student Representative Council) of the University of the Free State (UFS) at the time so the SRC experience seemed most
appropriate and relevant to write about. I struggled though, for about a week I
could not put my ideas together, the essay required honesty but, most of the
information I had to be honest about was still ‘classified’. The major
challenge for me was that I could not share everything while still in SRC
office and while still at the UFS. I also realized that I had not yet
reconciled with the experience and with myself to be able to write about it. So
on the very last day, six hours before the deadline, I decided to change my
topic and by midnight I submitted the article below.
After a rigorous selection process I was
chosen to represent Africa at the G8 Youth Summit of June 2013 in London. My
role in the African Union delegation was that of a Sherpa, to act as a
go-between the Head of Government and the five Ministerial portfolios; and
between our delegation and other delegations.
A Sherpa has no agenda points, this meant
that only my colleagues would write and submit position papers. During the
summit, I would realize that I too wanted to take part in the negotiations, I
felt left out of the conversations of global change. I would also observe as
delegations kept to their respective clusters and how many would give their
governments’ existing initiatives as their positions. The summit was a platform
for the youth to share their intentions for the world and hold governments
accountable. I felt this goal was not being met. I would also observe that many
delegates had very limited knowledge about Africa. This was a huge challenge as
many delegations found it difficult to comprehend our positions on various
topics such as the political climate in African states. I harboured sentiments of the summit being of
little relevance as no government was required to read our communiqué. I felt
defeated, that my contribution would not have an impact in the global
discourse.
Two days into the summit, I would realize
the importance and need for the Sherpa role. I directly supported the Head of
Government and my Ministers, and this was not to be taken for granted. We, the
AU delegation, then approached other delegations and shared in detail on who
Africa is. Delegations such as Japan understood Africa and supported us. A
colleague and I approached Italy, China and other delegations and encouraged
them to share their own views of the world as opposed to those of their
governments. Upon my return, I would realize how limited my knowledge of Africa
was. This has inspired me to research, read more and to ask more questions.
The experience has made me appreciate the
power that I have as an agent of change. It has shown me that I can inspire and
impact change, that I do have it in me to live out my principle of leading by
service. I have since resolved to invest myself in Africa and fight the
brain-drain that has had a negative impact on Africa’s development.
I
could only write so much in the space that I had been awarded. I want to write
more about this experience, so as to reconcile with it (having initially wanted to run away) and to also aid
reconciliation with myself. Africa’s relationship with the rest of the world
has not been an easy one, that very fact results in my having a complex
relationship with the rest of the world, a relationship I am yet to understand
and define. I find myself asking a lot of questions about these two relationships
and I hope that through writing I will find my answers.
“Life
is too short to be wasted in finding answers. Enjoy the questions!” – Paulo
Coelho
