Youths to empower youths
ALEXANDRA - Three young entrepreneurs and still at school are on a mission to repairs broken souls of other youth so that they can regain their identity, dignity and self worth.
Three young entrepreneurs who are still at school, are on a mission to repair the broken souls of other youth so that they can regain their identity, dignity and self-worth.
Guided by the adage charity begins at home, the trio comprising Kalushi Mkhonto, Tebogo Ngwenya from Tembisa and Thabiso Shingwenyama from Alex said they will do this through their non-profit organisation, Knowledge Of Self Project (Kosp). They are targeting their neighbourhood counterparts first who are said to be into crime, are dejected and have no purpose as they lack guidance.
Kalushi, the organisation’s president, attributed the problem to a lack of self-worth and guidance deriving from past institutionalised structuring of society which made the black community transmit an inter-generational inferiority complex.
“They need to be enlightened and motivated on their potential through exposure to the historical achievements and contributions made to the world by their forebearers in science, maths, medicine and other fields. These are documented internationally and narrated by living historians and anthropologists,” he said.
Kalushi said the exposure will make them want to re-live their past and not measure their potential and self-worth through other groups. He added that the inferiority complex continues through the current education system which excludes their forefathers’ contribution to the world. “It makes African youth view education as a platform to help them seek employment, and not to aspire to be achievers, discoverers, scholars and entrepreneurs who create employment to help others with lesser chances of leading better lives,” he said.
Kalushi said they target Grade 11 and 12 pupils who are still impressionable and need guidance. “We will engage them in monthly and weekend discussions to impart motivational techniques through African scholars and economists. Other professionals will help with tutoring and mentoring them on schoolwork and this will assist them in making informed career choices,” he said.
Kosp’s long-term plan is to establish a college run by professionals attuned to global development trends driven by information and technology. This is to ensure the African child is empowered through education that blends African history and culture with economics, modern education, entertainment and information for the benefit of community building and development.
Details: Kosp 074 721 0978.
