Africa Unite in partnership with CHUMA organised a winter school holiday youth summit on xenophobia from the 7th to the 9th of July 2015 at the Monwabisi Beach Resort in Khayelithsa. The summit was attended by sixty (60) selected youth from various areas of Cape Town (Parklands, Gugulethu, Bloekombos, Phillipi, and Mowbray) including young foreign nationals from the following countries (Angola, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe). Present at the summit also was various stakeholders including councillors Mr Khaya Yozi of ward 39 (Nyanga) and Mr Mzwakhe Nqavashe of ward 40 (Gugulethu) who were the guests and welcomed all the youth before opening the summit.
Some of the youth participants paying attention during one of the sessions.
The Cape Town Holocaust Centre facilitated the first full day session where they focused on the consequences of prejudice, racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, homophobia, and the dangers of indifference, apathy and silence. Africa Unite then facilitated the next two day sessions where the youth had a chance to learn about human rights and the rights of migrants and refugees. The youth were also taught on how they can prevent violence and any forms of human rights violations in their communities not to be bystanders or perpetrators of these actions. During Africa Unite’s presentations the youth were divided into five (5) countries of their choice (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola) where they selected a president for each country. The youth were then tasked to break away in their groups and work on a presentation to the African Union on the best practical plan of eradicating xenophobia and promoting social cohesion in South Africa.
The African Union delegates announcing the winners.
Before their presentation the National Youth Development Agency representative from Pretoria Ms Thozama Mdala also gave a brief speech on the various services they offer to young people who are interested in business and entrepreneurship ventures.
The young people showed their talent and leadership qualities as they came up with brilliant ideas during their presentations, however the Democratic Republic of Congo managed to take the first place as they convinced the judges who represented the African Union with their masterpiece plan of eradicating xenophobia and promoting social cohesion in South Africa.
After the presentations the youth then worked so hard to compile their recommendations. These recommendations are being circulated among various stakeholders including local media.
Members of the Democratic Republic of Congo receiving a cheque from the African Union delegates.
The young people thanked the organisers, facilitators and the guests and mentioned that the summit was an eye opener for them and they could not wait to carry the lessons learnt back to their respective communities.
To view the recommendations click here
For more pictures of the summit click here
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