Mobilizing The X Generation
By Tebogo Mokgadi
BeCoCo, in partnership with Jireh Ministries International, Hope’s Pathway, and SistaBoss Academy & Company, held a civic youth workshop in preparation for the upcoming national elections in South Africa. Being in its second phase – the first being about voter registration – the aim was to engage the youth about the importance of voting, knowing the Constitution and its implementation, and also how to properly persuade those who’ve registered to head to their respective voting stations.
The first was in understanding the role that the Constitution plays with regards to governing our country. The Bill of Rights, chapter two in the Constitution, is Mzansi’s north star that rightfully guides elected leaders to implement people’s rights fairly, adequately, without prejudice. Secondly, Reverend urged attendants to probe into the functionality of governance. Legislation, though set in clear black & white, is only useful when put in practice. It is the right of every South African to know the governmental procedures in their regional, provincial, and national governments. For a government to be democratic it has to have integrity, transparency, and accountability. The last aspect is in voter mobilization. Putting it poignantly, Mr Sauls said that, “politics either happens to you or through you,” loosely conveyed—the ball is in your court. By mobilization, people can learn that their rights which are in the Constitution are fundamental to democracy and that understanding them gives them the freedom that no one can undermine.
Continuing the workshop was left in the hands of I Am SistaBoss. She introduced the three month engagement program as ‘The X Generation’ campaign with a punchy tag line that says ‘engrave change. Of those who are eligible to vote that are between the ages if 18 – 35 the IEC has found them to be among the highest that registered to vote. Piggybacking on the Reverend’s words, she not only demonstrated on the need for the youth to make an X, but through mobilization showed that by merging previous generations with the X generation they will realize the transgressions they faced thus marching with the others towards a new frontier.
Carrying the discussion, attendants – being a panel of young people – had to debate on the rights that are constantly violated which to them play a significant role in their lives as free South Africans. Rights to freedom of expression, privacy, housing & sanitation, education, belief & opinion among many others were deemed to be, if not suppressed, totally ignored. The responsibility that comes with practicing the aforementioned was not swayed away from. Given that rights such as freedom of expression & opinion can end up having negative effects on others, it is the responsibility of each person to not infringe on the next one’s dignity, making everyone’s safety a priority, without undermining their point of view.
Upon completion of the discussion and receiving a plethora of perspectives from the attendants, a simpler solution to the vastness of intel was presented. We can’t shy away from the fact that the Bill of Rights is meticulously detailed—this, with the ever shrinking focus among people, can lead to a loss of interest. A solution was to merge those that harbored similarities, having an endproduct that is holistic & altruistic to the youth’s concerns, and the essence of the Bill of Rights.
Collaborating with over 20 organizations w country-wide, BeCoCo’s mission of voter mobilization is but an arm’s length away. They are an apparatus that the youth will use to carry the baton from the class of 1976, leading into a new revolution that caters to the needs of the X Generation. In closing, SistaBoss said that for change to manifest in the physical, we first have to let it germinate in the mind.
A Play At Voting
‘Take a Child to the Theatre’ Showcases the Power of Engagement in Addressing National Issues”
By Tebogo Mokgadi
Assitej SA – which is partnered with Beloved Community Coalition (BeCoCo) held a Young People’s Dialogue under the banner “Take A Child To Theater.” The 20th of March being International Take A Child To Theatre Day, the celebration happened in Moses Molelekwa Community Arts Center where a theatre play to the youth was exibited. In commemoration of Soufh Africa’s 30 year democracy, the center, found in remembrance of the Jazz maestro, was honored by Assitej SA &
BeCoCo’s presence as they were welcomed by Mr Jerry Molelekwa, father of the late pioneer.
Partners aligned with BeCoCo, including SistaBoss Academy & Company, availed themselves. March the 20th was a
continuation of its Youth Civic
Engagement, started on the 1 6th of March in Eldorado Park. This year, Take A Child To Theatre was, in part, about mobilizing young people to vote. On the day, Kwasha! Theatre Group graced the audience with a play titled ‘Vote For Me.’ Taking the audience down a rabbit hole, it explored the spectrum; from voting, to the perception of politics in South Africa
The Youth Civic Engagement & its I X Generation/ campaign rehashed the sentiment of getting young people to vote. Started with the idea of mobilizing folks to vote, the day carried said purpose. It highlighted the importance of mobilizing the youth to participate in SAS democracy, which has been in rule for the past 30 years.
Starting the play, the stage had been propped with an array of shoes, leaving onlookers with the colloquium of the need to be filled. Developing further, a clear deduction was drawn—time to take action. Ending the play was a Young People’s Dialogue that discussed key moments in the play and how the audience perceived them in comparison to South Africa’s political landscape.
Collaborating together, both BeCoCo & Assitej SA managed to fulfil their mandate of the day. One established in promoting arts in SA communities and the other aimed at promoting voter awareness. Voter mobilization through theatre introduction became a perfect pair that engaged and built interest into the minds of young South Africans
The goal was in magnifying the collective’s differences in order to recognize each other’s needs for having a better life. And through this, Assitej SA and its theatre program, Take a Child to Theatre
(Theatre4Youth), aims to convey the crux that art has on developing young minds and the community. Associates of both organizations – among them being SistaBoss Academy & Company – were pleased with the presence of Kwasha! Theatre Group, Mr Molelekwals Hospitality, and the youth that showed up to the exhibition.
Embracing Our Constitution:
A Journey with We, the People
By Kudzai Coutries
In a world filled with diverse voices and visions for change, the We, the People campaign stands as a beacon of hope, uniting active citizens from all walks of life in a global movement for transformation. At its core lies the Constitution, our revered founding document, which encapsulates the values and principles driving our collective journey towards a better tomorrow.
As we embark on this transformative journey, Constitution Hill emerges as a vital landmark, offering a gateway to our nation’s past, present, and future. Here, the Constitution and its rich history come alive, accessible to all who seek to understand and engage with the pillars of our democracy.
At the heart of the We, the People movement are three foundational pillars: human dignity, equality, and freedom. These principles guide our actions and aspirations, fueling our commitment to building a society where every individual is valued, every voice is heard, and every right is protected.
The Preamble of our Constitution, with its powerful invocation of “We, the People,” serves as our manifesto—a rallying cry for collective action and unity in diversity. It reminds us that the power to effect change lies within each of us, as active participants in shaping the destiny of our nation and our world.
Through informed dialogues and inclusive engagement, Constitution Hill aims to inspire pride, knowledge, and creativity among our people. By making the Constitution and its history accessible to all, we seek to empower individuals to take ownership of their rights and responsibilities as citizens of our constitutional democracy.
But we cannot embark on this journey alone. We invite you to join the We, the People movement, to lend your voice, your passion, and your commitment to our shared vision of a more just, equitable, and inclusive society. Together, we can breathe life into the words “We, the People,” transforming them from mere rhetoric into a lived reality for all.
As we walk this path together, let us remember that the journey towards a better future begins with a single step—a step taken in solidarity, guided by the timeless principles enshrined in our Constitution.
Join us, and let us journey forward as one, towards a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.
We, the People: United in Diversity, Bound by Our Constitution.
Share on your social media platforms