Hopeful, amazed, liberated and excited are words used by the youth in their response to the annual African Renaissance Youth Conference. The event, which was held on Wednesday 20th May at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban, forms part of the annual African Renaissance Festival.
 
The much anticipated event was once more well attended by youth, students and scholars from the greater Durban area. The aim of the conference is to assist and motivate young people to overcome the challenges that they face in their daily lives.
 
Prof Ngubane, Vice Chairperson and Organising Committee Chair for the African Renaissance, emphasized that this was an opportunity for the youth to network, to learn from others successes and to build their own futures. Ably directed by MC Lynette Ntuli, who is passionate about youth development, the delegates were inspired and motivated by a range of outstanding speakers.   
 
A common theme running through the day was the request to the youth to find their passion, be true to themselves and live life purposefully. They speakers also stressed the importance of  working with and having respect for the elders or mentors that they could learn from in their families and communities.
 
Vuyisa Qabaka of  Abaphumelele Business Consultants, drew attention to the fact that youth have great opportunities and that success in life is a choice. He said that it is necessary to find one’s passion and that through this you can overcome any adversity.
 
Eleanor Potter said that we require other people to be successful and that without the participation of others we would be walking this journey alone. The question to ask was, “What differences were we making in other people’s lives?” She added that the role of technology in connecting people cannot be ignored- people connect with other people and technology enables these connections. However, technology should be used responsibly, especially as it may overtake real human interaction and communication.
 
Jessica Nhleko of African Insignia Hotels has much personal business experience in the tourist industry to draw from. She said that you should, “Allow your passion to become your purpose and it will become your profession.” She added that teamwork was part of her success and that learning was essential.
Shantan Reddy, Deputy Chairman of Edison Power, stated that it is time to create South African solutions for South African companies. He added that we do not need permission from America or Europe nor do we need “copy and paste” solutions to our challenges. He said that if you work hard enough you will succeed but you need guts and tenacity. Education is a stepping stone to success, which can never be taken away from you.
Word of mouth marketing expert, Ryan McFadyen of Have You Heard, gave the youth three key points to achieve successâ€" be patient, work harder than you ever thought you would, and create something remarkable. He added that in order to be successful a business should address an unmet consumer need, have conservational currency and deliver on its promise.
 
Dawn Dunn’s exuberant personality added fire to the day’s proceeding. She emphasized the importance of being true to oneself, to “love the skin you are in”, maintain integrity, but also to change what you can and not close yourself off to knowledge. She lives her life by the personal motto of “nothing is impossible” but adds that she “never does anything unless it feels good.”
 
Cedric Mkhize inspired the youth with his personal story, which was tragically altered by a car accident. From being a rising star rugby player with an exciting career ahead, he is now a paraplegic in a wheelchair.   He said, “Life is full of challenges and we need to find a way to rise above them. Challenges are opportunities to succeed.” He said we can choose our states of being. He added that he gets out of bed each day believing that it is going to be a good day and that he can make a difference in someone else’s life. He added, “We should not ask why me? I am here because I am meant to be here. If not me then who else? The question is not, “why me?” but, “try me?”
 
The Festival continues this week at the Durban ICC on Thursday 22 May and Friday 23 May with the African Renaissance Conference â€" Africa in Motion. The music concert on Sunday the 25th May will be held at the ICC Arena will feature MiCasa, Uhuru and DJ Sgqemeza. Tickets are available from Computicket.
 
For more information http://connectingafrica.co/African-Renaissance/
 
Media Contact
 
Gayle McLennan-Smith
gayle@topbusiness.co.za
0836530465