Democracy activist Namatai Kwekweza shared her insights on the importance of youth leadership in democracy at the FVZS lunch-hour conversation series. Emphasizing the need for engagement with constitutional principles, Kwekweza urged the youth to act without seeking permission and highlighted the significance of knowledge and belief in a constitution. Dr. Heidi October reinforced Kwekweza’s message by addressing the costs associated with the struggle for democracy.
Namatai Kwekweza, a democracy activist who was unable to speak at the previous year’s 12th annual Frederik Van Zyl-Slabbert (FVZS) Honorary Lecture due to her detention in Zimbabwe, recently addressed the audience during the FVZS’s lunch-hour conversation series. As the recipient of the 2023 Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize, Kwekweza reflected on three decades of democracy, emphasizing the importance of youth in demonstrating citizen leadership through constitutional principles.
Drawing from her personal experiences, including a recent 35-day imprisonment for alleged disorderly conduct, Kwekweza highlighted the necessity of fostering dialogue about the “constitutional promise.” She posited that the journey does not end with the existence of a constitution; rather, she questioned what actions young South Africans are undertaking to fulfill this promise. “The reality is that the past is done, the past is gone. And we are here now,” she stated, urging the youth to engage actively in building the future.
Kwekweza noted that individuals seeking power often leverage the constitution to further their ambitions, neglecting the accountability that should accompany it. Nevertheless, she encouraged young people to resist such tendencies, asserting, “We have our bodies, we have our minds, we have our voices, and we have the spirit of our struggle.” She expressed that even in the constraints of prison, the struggle for justice and democracy persists, spurred by an indomitable spirit.
She also emphasized that the effectiveness of a constitution hinges on public knowledge, belief, and commitment to its principles. Without faith in its value, a constitution could be rendered ineffective. Kwekweza called upon the youth to actively engage in creating a constitutional future, stating, “We don’t need permission to organise, and we don’t need permission to act.”
Dr. Heidi October, the head of the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development, echoed Kwekweza’s sentiments in her closing remarks. She reiterated Kwekweza’s poignant reminder about the costs associated with the struggle for democracy, noting, “We must always be cognisant of the cost of the struggle of democracy, and depending on which part of the world you belong to and you live in, the cost might actually be higher.”
Namatai Kwekweza’s address underscores the critical role of youth in realizing the constitutional promise and advancing democracy in South Africa. Her compelling reflections, informed by personal experiences, emphasize proactive engagement and accountability in leadership. The essence of her message is clear: without faith in and action toward constitutional principles, democracy remains unfulfilled. Kwekweza’s insights serve as an important reminder of the ongoing struggle for democracy and its inherent costs.
Original Source: www.sun.ac.za
