Focus on aspiration leads to inspiration
- Wits University
Innovative student-led initiatives address Africa’s development goals through the Emerging Leaders Programme.
On Friday, 20 September, the Senate Room was abuzz with energy as the Legacy Project Symposium celebrated the conclusion of the 2024 Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP). Since its inception in 2007, this annual initiative has worked to develop innovative student leaders across all Faculties and years of study. The programme, which spans three months, empowers students to be adaptive leaders and engaged agents of change through experiential learning.
Selected from hundreds of applicants, this year’s cohort of 48 students began their journey with a winter leadership camp in June, which offered training in personal leadership, emotional intelligence, thought leadership, critical thinking, and team dynamics. Divided into five groups, these emerging leaders were tasked with designing projects linked to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, focusing on solutions targeting Africa’s development goals at both macro and micro levels. Furthermore, at the micro level, students were expected to implement their solutions, creating a tangible legacy for their leadership journeys in their communities.
The winning team focused on Aspiration 7 of Agenda 2063, aiming to reduce Africa’s aid dependency and promote economic self-sufficiency. They organised a Financial Literacy Workshop for local entrepreneurs in the Bram Fischerville township of Soweto. To empower these entrepreneurs, the students mobilised resources to purchase card payment machines for several participants in the workshop. Tshepo Matloga, a BSc(Hons) Quantity Surveying student and team member, reflected: “This win is only the beginning. We are determined to make an even bigger impact in other communities and continue advocating for a united Africa.”
The runner-up group focused on Aspiration 2: Economic Integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). They introduced “Market Mingle,” a digital platform designed to empower student entrepreneurs by facilitating intra-Africa trade on a local scale, reflecting the potential benefits of a fully realized AfCFTA. Additionally, the students undertook an awareness campaign about the AfCFTA, which was featured on VOW FM. Reflecting on their journey, Khanya Phandle, a first-year social work student, emphasised the importance of e-commerce in Africa’s growth: “One key takeaway from our research is the significance of e-commerce in promoting economic growth in Africa.”
Both winning groups received seed resources from the Development and Leadership Unit (DLU) to further develop their projects, ensuring that the ELP legacy continues to inspire change. Other projects addressed issues such as restoring the dignity of African refugees; promoting STEM education in under-resourced schools; and empowering youth participation in holding the government accountable. The symposium was also attended by ELP alumni including Thamsanqa Pooe, who participated in the programme 10 years ago. Pooe is a co-founder of Tshimong Foundation, one of the stakeholders in this year’s Legacy Projects.
Nokukhanya Ndinisa, the Student Development Practitioner overseeing the programme, celebrated the far-reaching impact of the ELP and reflected, “Our students are defining what #WitsForGood means. They are not only impacting their communities but also enhancing their own personal development through co-curricular programmes.” In similar vein, the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Tshegofatso Mogaladi, encouraged students to continue taking leadership development opportunities, highlighting that true leadership is about service, transformation, and purpose rather than self-gratification. As the symposium showcased, the Emerging Leaders Programme is not just about learning; it's about creating impactful solutions and fostering a generation of leaders committed to driving positive change across the continent.