Namatai Kwekweza addressed the FVZS Honorary Lecture on the role of youth in democracy, emphasizing the need for constitutional engagement. She shared personal insights from her activism, encouraging youth to use their voices for change. Dr. Heidi October highlighted Kwekweza’s reminder about the sacrifices in the fight for democracy.
Namatai Kwekweza recently addressed the impact of 30 years of democracy during the Frederik Van Zyl-Slabbert Honorary Lecture series. Detained prior to last year’s event in Zimbabwe, she shared insights on African youth’s potential for citizen leadership through constitutionalism. Kwekweza, the 2023 Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize winner, stressed that even after constitutional adoption, efforts must continue to ensure its promises are realized.
Reflecting on personal experiences, including her 35-day incarceration for alleged disorderly conduct, she emphasized that power-seekers might exploit the constitution rather than embrace accountability. “We have our bodies, we have our minds, we have our voices, and we have the spirit of our struggle,” she stated, inspiring youth to resist such exploitation and advocate for democratic values.
Kwekweza remarked, “Constitutions are only as powerful as how we know them and how we believe them.” She warned that without genuine faith in the constitution, it merely becomes an insignificant document. Encouraging youth to advocate for a brighter constitutional future, she declared, “We don’t need permission to organise, and we don’t need permission to act.”
Dr. Heidi October, alongside Kwekweza’s reflections, highlighted the importance of remaining aware of the sacrifices made in the name of democracy. She cited Kwekweza’s poignant observation: “We must always be cognisant of the cost of the struggle of democracy, and depending on which part of the world you belong to and you live in, the cost might actually be higher.”
Namatai Kwekweza’s recent address at the FVZS Honorary Lecture underscores the crucial role of youth in advancing constitutional values and democratic principles. Her emphasis on active engagement and the cost of democracy serves as a call to action for the younger generation to recognize their capacity for leadership. Through collective efforts and a commitment to constitutional faith, the youth can effectively shape a better future.
Original Source: www.sun.ac.za
