…your circumstances should never define your destiny…
…your dreams are valid and your future is full of possibilities…
…leadership is not about having all the answers…
BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE— Young people at Sifundza High School were encouraged to recognise their potential as leaders and active participants in shaping Africa’s future during an International Youth Day commemoration hosted by the African Union (AU) today.
The event was held under the theme “Power through Collective Belief” and brought together learners, educators, facilitators, trainers and panellists for a programme focused on youth leadership, participation, diplomacy and the role of young people in advancing Africa’s development.
A key feature of the commemoration was the Model African Union Summit, which gave learners an opportunity to simulate the AU decision-making process while exploring issues affecting the continent.
Addressing the learners virtually, Ms Prudence Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the African Union Commission, urged young people not to allow their circumstances to determine the extent of their ambitions.
Ngwenya reflected on her own journey as a young woman who grew up in Eswatini and attended a school similar to Sifundza High School.
“I stand before you today, and standing before you today is deeply humbling for me because I see myself in many of you,” she said.
She told the learners that she once sat in classrooms, worried about examinations and dreamed about what opportunities the future might bring, without imagining that she would eventually work across the continent contributing to Africa’s development.
“Where you come from should never determine how far you can go. Your circumstances may influence your journey, but they should never define your destiny,” Ngwenya said.
She encouraged the learners to view the Model AU programme as more than an academic exercise, saying it brought continental issues closer to young people and allowed them to understand how dialogue, negotiation and cooperation contribute to decision-making.
According to Ngwenya, leadership is not necessarily about having all the answers, but about asking meaningful questions, listening to different opinions and being willing to change one’s position after learning something new.
She further described diplomacy as a skill that extends beyond presidents, ministers and ambassadors, saying it is practised in everyday situations where people listen, negotiate and seek common solutions.
“Diplomacy is listening before you react. It is respecting even when we disagree. It is understanding before seeking victory, and it is finding solutions instead of creating division,” she said.
Ngwenya also recognised the contribution of teachers, describing them as “nation builders” who help shape learners’ character, confidence and leadership abilities.
She specifically commended Sifundza High School principal Mrs Nzima for creating an environment that encourages learning, excellence and leadership.
The commemoration highlighted the importance of empowering young people to become critical thinkers, active citizens and future leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to Africa’s development.
The event also demonstrated the African Union’s commitment to bringing continental conversations into schools, ensuring that young people understand that Africa’s future is not a distant concept, but one in which they have a direct stake.
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(Courtesy Pic)
