African Youth Take the Lead for Democracy and Human Rights

On May 27 thru June 1 we three IYTT Youth Fellows – Ontiretse, Palesa, and Ruth –  had the great opportunity to contribute and co-create when our dear friends of the WELEAD Trust pulled through the Youth on The Bus leadership development program. It was incredibly rewarding to crown the program with the event entitled ‘Youth Take the Lead for Good Governance, Civil Rights & Democracy’, graciously hosted by the Swedish Embassy, Harare. Now hear us out when sharing our personal reflections.

For me – Ontiretse Moatshe – one of the most striking moments early on was the privilege walk. As a South African, I noticed firsthand the stark differences in political realities between our countries. Unlike Zimbabwe, where authoritarian rule casts a shadow on political expression, I have never had to fear immediate danger for sharing my views. This experience deeply highlighted the freedoms many of us often take for granted.

Throughout the week, the fireside chats in the evenings were especially meaningful. We discussed ethical leadership and had the opportunity to engage with former members of parliament who courageously stood against the regime. These conversations added a powerful, personal dimension to the learning.

My main contribution was on Thursday May 29 when Palesa, Ruth and I as the IYTT team presented our work. I created a political game that was initially complex but quickly resonated with program participants once they grasped it. Seeing my efforts appreciated and relevant to their political context was very rewarding. Later that day, at the event we hosted at the Swedish Embassy, I gave an introduction before hosting a democracy speed-dating and OCDT session. This interactive dialogue was a valuable way to explore diverse understandings of democracy, especially for those living outside democratic systems.

The week was filled with insightful discussions on youth empowerment, authenticity, and the role of young people in peace-building. Colleagues also presented on authoritarianism, enriching the conversation further. Overall, it was an inspiring week with incredible people and a strong affirmation of IYTT’s mission to advance democracy and peace in Africa.

For me – Ruth Kasanga – it was an incredible experience and an honor being one of the IYTT Youth Fellows presenting at the ‘Youth Take the Lead for Good Governance, Civil Rights & Democracy’, at the Swedish Embassy. Alongside Milton from WELEAD, I gave a speech on ‘How Youth Can Take the Lead and Push Back on Authoritarian Rule, Strengthened and Inspired by Other Social Movements’. This was a timely session in a context where young leaders were pushing against a regime they feel as though it does not serve the citizens but rather power.

While I was a speaker at the event, I was also a student. The differentiated Southern African contexts impacted the way we all perceived democracy in the present and in the future. Thus, a point I emphasized in my speech was to ensure that while we learn from one another, we must localize solutions to ensure they are applicable to our contexts. All in all, summarizing aspects from my speech, youth can take the lead and push back on authoritarian rule through:

• Decentralizing and utilizing varied strategies simultaneously.
• Forming pro-democracy coalitions across ideological lines.
• Ensuring continuous political engagement at all levels of government and running for office.
• Documenting on social media to apply pressure.
• Being cognizant of and utilizing the power of inter-generational collaboration.
• Utilizing non-violent resistance as far as possible.

For me – Palesa Meva – our visit to Zimbabwe was nothing short of extraordinary. The team at WELEAD welcomed us with unmatched generosity, humility, and warmth. Their hospitality reminded me of the power of African solidarity and Ubuntu in action. Throughout the week I found myself learning and unlearning, both in terms of content and character.

More profoundly, the experience allowed me to reflect on how much my participation as an IYTT Youth Fellow last year in the 6th IYTT youth conference in Stellenbosch has shaped me. I hadn’t fully grasped the impact of that journey until this collaboration with WELEAD and IYTT. It was then that I realized how deeply the IYTT Youth Fellowship prepared me, not only to absorb knowledge from the Youth on the Bus program, but to share that knowledge meaningfully with others. I was not just a participant; I was a contributor. That growth is largely thanks to the foundation the IYTT has helped me build.

On May 27, we began the day with a privilege walk. It was an eye-opening exercise that left me with deep reflections. It made me confront how much we take for granted in our respective countries. While we come from diverse nations with varying degrees of economic development, access, and opportunity, we are ultimately bound by common struggles. We are all fighting for a better Africa just in different contexts. It struck me how much “sameness” exists within our differences.

This realization challenged me to think more intentionally about how I use my privilege, not to separate myself but to uplift others. It made me more conscious of the responsibility I carry as a young African who has access to opportunities others may not. As a Democrat, it reignited a sense of urgency to seek collaboration across borders and learn from those whose countries are performing better, so I can return home and contribute to real change in South Africa.

The 28th was particularly enriching as we delved into Zimbabwe’s governance and electoral framework. As a law student, I found the content familiar yet fascinating. I noticed strong parallels with South Africa particularly the shared emphasis on trias politica and constitutional supremacy. However, it also prompted deep reflection. If our legal frameworks are so similar, why do our national outcomes differ so greatly?

This led me to the conclusion that the effectiveness of a nation may not lie solely in its laws, but in the integrity and values of its leaders. It is not enough to have sound legislation, the people tasked with upholding it must be grounded in ethics, humility, and service. This is why I deeply value the work of leaders like WELEAD’s Founder and Director Namatai Kwekweza, and institutions like WELEAD. They are sowing the seeds of principled leadership in the youth.

The value that stood out to me most, represented by the letter “I” in I SERVE captures the leadership we need today: innovative, accountable, and humble, qualities that can help build more ethical, responsive, and people-centered governments. Too often, those in power behave as though the law applies to everyone but them. This dissonance must be challenged, and we do that by shaping the character of future leaders today.

On May 29, during the embassy event, I was pushed out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. Although I’ve always considered myself a speaker, I was nervous approaching the panel discussion. But to my surprise, I performed far better than expected. I didn’t just share the values and vision of IYTT, I also listened differently. This time, I didn’t listen to respond; I listened to truly hear.

During the Democracy Speed Dating session, I was deeply moved by the varied and heartfelt interpretations of what democracy means to people. It made me realize that democratic encounters don’t need to happen in fancy venues or structured forums. Democracy lives in everyday spaces, in churches, community halls, under trees, in taxi ranks, anywhere people gather and speak freely.

My key reflection was that we need to dismantle hierarchical structures and create democratic spaces where a grandmother, a student, a doctor, and a child can all have a voice. I shared this challenge during the panel discussion: let’s take the spirit of the Open Chair Democracy Talks back to our communities and practice democracy as something lived, not performed. I likened democracy to a plant, something that must be nurtured daily. It’s not self-sustaining. Its health depends on how intentionally we care for it. Implementation is key. Talking is not enough.

Finally, the campfire sessions throughout the week reinforced the power of shared wisdom. These weren’t lectures, they were dialogues. We sat in circles, engaged as equals with leaders and change-makers across Zimbabwe. They didn’t just speak to us, they listened. It felt like the purest form of participatory democracy. That space embodied everything the IYTT stands for, mutual respect, shared learning, and co-creation of solutions.