Introducing a New Team Member: Londeka Mkhize

Posted by on Jun 11, 2012 in Blog | 0 comments

Londeka Mkhize - 2012 enke Youth Liaison

I am here…..I’m An Heir
Londeka Mkhize

In my varsity days I attended many braais. One day we got invited to a braai at the presidential estate and I was beyond excited that I was going to where the president and ministers stay! My excitement stemmed from the fact that I love politics, policy and active citizenship. So, I thought this would be the perfect platform to talk about what we as young people can do to change the country. To my dismay, mid-braai, an announcement was made for my peers, “NO TALKING ABOUT POLITICS, AND RELIGON – WE WANT TO AVOID CONFLICT AND DEBATE,” said the host. I was shocked. I have to admit it was hard for me to keep my mouth shut (another characteristic of mine).

What struck me was that as young people, we tend to avoid discussing the problems that we face as individuals and as groups from different backgrounds. I’d like to believe it’s not because we just don’t care, but rather it’s because we feel the need to be politically correct or something along those lines. This isn’t very pleasing to me. As young people we need to remember that though in the HERE and now the issues may not affect us, we will inherit the problems that we have failed to discuss, solve, or be informed about. That’s because we are the HEIRS to this country.

Soon our leaders will be gone and we will take over, in the interim it is our duty as young people to ensure that the country we inherit or become heirs to is far more improved than what we live in now. The only way to do that is to broaden our minds, discuss the issues, come to the fire with innovative ideas and go forth and conquer.

And so, with that in mind, here I am working with enke as the 2012 Youth Liaison. I believe enke is a place where I can be part of the change I want to see; where, on a daily basis, I can engage with, and assist young people who have realised that they are the heirs to the throne of this country. These are the young people who have gone forth conquered. They have not shied away from talking about the issues but have used what they have to make a change. They are the ones who know and realise that they are here and they are heirs to this beautiful nation. It is a huge honour and pleasure to be in this supportive and advisory role as they go out there and do BIG things.