We are the change makers for a stronger Africa
The young African leaders of Wagner College join the president of the Carnegie Corporation, Mr. Vartan Gregoria.
Every generation has a specific mission on earth, but if they don’t find their mission they become a lost generation. The young African leaders of today and tomorrow, the future thoughtful leaders, must be the leaders of change and bring hope to their communities.
According to Barack Obama: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Inspired by our role model Obama, and his leadership and vision, all young African leaders of our time must be the change they want to see in their communities. Our founding fathers of the African democracies left us a legacy of nations that are without good governance, transparency, authentic leadership and true civic engagement.
Panel discussion at Howard University in Washington DC,from the left side is Mr. Elhaj Djitteye,middle Dr. Ruta Shah-Gordon,right side is Ms. Boikhutso Queen Molefe.
Despite support from western governments and partners, our African leaders still remain a group of friends who come to power with personal prosperity and strengthening their political parties as their only priorities. Once elected, they fail to follow through on the promises they made to their grassroots communities.
We have witnessed how corruption, bad governance and nepotism transform some poor non-developed African countries into beggars. The grass-roots communities find themselves oppressed and abandoned by the central government which swears during the campaign that they will be their voice and bring change and development.
We can learn from the problems caused by the founding fathers. We can bring positive change and create a renaissance of good democracy and strong institutions.
Mr. El Hadj Djitteye at the young african conneXions SUMMIT
Obama said: “Development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa’s potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.”
Let’s be the generation that will promote good governance and transparency. Let’s educate ourselves and our people about civic engagement. Let’s transform Africa from a continent of contradiction into an example of democracy.
I still have a dream that one day the new generation of Africans will understand their mission, set positive goals, define their actions and make Africa proud as a continent which will never be seen as a beggar, but as a real partner with other nations.
According to Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon that one can use to change the world.” Young African leaders of our time must be inspired by Mandela, and use education as a catalyst for change."
In memory of the late Father of Africa Mr. Nelson Mandela, who left the legacy of giving back to the community. It is an annual community service for 67 minutes, the picture it is the Mandela Washington Fellows and their Wagner College Leaders, giving back to the community in Washington DC.
In the digital age, we must learn how to survive and thrive. Our generation must use the internet communication technology as a tool for education to define our vision, actions, mission and goals for positive change.
Mandela Washington Fellows of 2017, leadership means service and we must be at the service of our communities. We must use the tools, the materials, the expertise, the knowledge of these great American universities that taught us civic leadership to empower the next generation in terms of civic leadership, good governance, transparency and the participation of gender in decision making in a long-term process of changing positively the mindset of young African folks.
2017 Mandela day in Washington DC, Fellows just clean the river and ended their day with happy smile, feeling so excited after making a change for the community.
Mandela said: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
The future Africa lies in the hands of the new generation with an imagination to make the continent proud and make a difference in the world.
Young African leaders across the globe must work together.
Professor Claire Regan contributed to the editing of this article.
