The Durban University of Technology’s emerging young leader is passionate and committed to transforming Africa’s youth through various community initiatives.
Ntuthuko Mchunu, a final year Human Resources Management student has just returned from the UNISA Graduate School of Business where he was part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) network. The KwaMashu young leader recapped on the once in a lifetime opportunity of being involved in the world acclaimed leadership programme geared towards grooming and nurturing Africa’s raw talent.
“Apart from my academics I am the undersecretary at United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA), former Public Relations officer and former secretary at the Durban University of Technology Debating union. The union has played a fundamental role in teaching students the arts of debating. We successfully participated in the South African National University Debating Championships (SANUDC) in 2016 for the first time,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu’s leadership enthusiasm has seen him leading DUT at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Debating contest in 2016. He subsequently played an instrumental role in bringing the Southern African National Debating Champions to DUT for the first time in history. Mchunu beamed at the news, saying that he was proud to be part of this history which sees the university commending an indelible mark in the world of debating.
“Currently I am a student volunteer at UNICEF SA and student ambassador at the South African Institute of international affairs (SAIIA). In 2016, I got the opportunity to be the Deputy Director of the HIV and humanities committee at the Durban Youth Council which is located at the Durban City Hall and we advocate for young people and women’s rights and the preservation of the environment at large,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu encouraged young people to utilize opportunities at their disposal for the betterment of their communities and ultimately Africa, saying that the future of South Africa and the rest of the continent were in the hands of the youth. He urged his peers to emulate his example and be the voice which will effect great change.
During the YALI programme, Mchunu teamed up with three young leaders from Swaziland, Mauritius, and Comoros and came up with a project which seeks to assist youth.
“The project is call Makutika e-skills and Entrepreneurship HUB is going to be located in Jozini Municipality, far north of KZN and its objective is to teach young people about opportunities available in the ICT sector and also help them with business proposals for emerging businesses,” he added.
Pictured: Ntuthuko Mchunu with some of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) network.
Mbuso Kunene.
