STAFF WRITER
MANY people debate that leadership is a unique skill. Some schools of thought view leadership skills as inborn, while others say leaders are either born or trained.
Several researchers who conducted studies to assess how leadership qualities are acquired, they came up with many schools of thought. The various schools of thought cite different reasons to support their argument.
Some studies indicate that true leaders are born. They say leadership qualities are genetically inherited. Qualities of original leaders show in early childhood lifestyle. The way children play, talk and execute their duties speaks volumes about their leadership qualities. Trained leaders need a lot of personal commitment and patience. One-third of trained teenage leaders do well in life.
They find it hard to work because some do it for financial gain. Two-thirds struggle because they try to emulate what born leaders do and find reasons for doing that. Leadership for financial gain and true leaders are different.
I had an opportunity to interact with Nothabo Lubelihle Ngwenya, teenager from Bulawayo. I interviewed her because her leadership qualities were unique and matched those of born leaders. I was motivated to talk to Nothabo because of some youths and teenage girls who told me about her. I got interested in finding out what exactly pushed her to advocacy; political and social.
Q: Who is Nothabo Lubelihle Ngwenya and how did she become a political youth activist?
A: I was born in 2002; 18 years ago. I grew up in Mahatshula Medium Density in Bulawayo. I am the only child in my family. My parents were very strict with me because they thought I would be a spoilt child if left to do what I wanted.
My mother always came to my room and talked to me about how one can achieve their goals in life, a purpose driven-life. I liked listening to her stories about how one can become a responsible woman and shun abuse. She always talked about me being alert and standing for my rights as a woman.
Naturally, I liked myself and always stood up to defend myself if someone accused me of anything. I think she saw that quite early and decided to help develop my character. That gave me grounding and clarity on the kind of person I wanted to be.
I wasn’t necessarily looking or thinking about leadership. I actually did not even think of it as leadership. I just always gave a little more thought about what was happening, the bigger picture or minute detail. It just excited me to stand up for someone being bullied in the playground or in trouble with an adult for something I did not think they should be in trouble for.
I participated in many activities that empowered girls or prepared girls with life skills like Girl Guide and was active in my church youth activities. I enjoyed sharing with my friends and other teenage girls the empowerment teachings I came across.
I was shy talking about sexual abuse initially, but later gained confidence as my friends supported me and encouraged my ideas. As sexual abuse took the spotlight I was influential at school, especially during tea break, young girls gathered around me to listen to me share my stories.
I became known at school for advocating for the girl child. Those are the issues that ushered me into my politics as policies were being introduced that would clearly harm us girls. I remember one time they were talking of reducing the age of consent down from 16 and excusing polygamy.
By the time I reached the age of 16, I was already questioning the politics of the day. Once I started with the girl child’s rights it took me down to seeking understanding on why society victimized the girl child and then it was the socio-economic situation, political marginalization of my region and my minority tribe. It is just so unfair that we do not have the same advantages as the people from the Northern provinces.
Q: How did other students view your ideas of saying No! To abuse and your politics?
A: I realised that many abused teenage girls did not even have acknowledge of abuse. They did not know how to report it or were too wary of the family strife it would cause as, believe it or not most abuse was at the hands of family members.
I started suggesting that they find someone they trusted to confide in and tell them their story, their youth leaders at church for instance. It was difficult for many girls because they never thought that what was happening to them at home or elsewhere could be stopped.
I talked to them and encouraged them to watch out for anyone who fondled or touched their breasts or any part of their bodies for any unexplained reason, that it was not right. If they did not feel comfortable about any physical contact then it was not right.
Q: How did you manage school and all these activities that you were doing?
A: Everything has its time as long as you are organized. My mother always said it is those who have more to do that get more done. I actually didn’t feel overwhelmed at all. Even now looking back at my prior years we kids have a lot of time; roaming around town, watching TV, talking on the phone.
I managed to do all that; moderation was the key. I kept a diary of my events, knowing exactly how to divide my day into school, business, and family time. For example, I only talked to girls at school during break time. When I got home, I did household chores, and when my mom came from work, she wanted to know how I spent my day so I had time with my mom and then some homework and wrapping up my day.
Q: What motivated you to talk about girl child abuse?
A: My mom was my source of inspiration. She liked my character because I did many things on my own. She used to say, “You are taking after your grandfather. He would never accept failure at any given point in life.” I found pleasure and joy in her stories and drew inspiration from her aspirations for me. That motivated me and gave me the willpower to use my voice and stand up for myself and others too. Protecting the girl child became my priority because of little things like us being told to shave our heads and being treated differently from boys yet I could also do those tasks set aside for boys. For example, I cultivate the garden and help others come up with solutions to difficult situations. I feel like the world is changing but us girls are being kept in the past where boys were favoured more than girls because they carried the family name and were providers; girls do the same too!
Q: What motivated you to participate in political activities at the age of 16?
A: Politics is a game that changes your life, or it destroys it. It depends on your approach. It is a platform of respect, especially if you know what is right and what is wrong. My mum told me women have a voice that must be respected and heard.
The fact that I am eloquent and can be a mouthpiece for others made the whole thing easy for me. I just wanted those matters that left people grumbling and failing to challenge situations. It is where I took time to research what to do.
I gained support that way and started motivating my friends, and others to participate politically. We stood for the girl’s child rights. I couldn’t vote but I talked to my aunts and grannies about voting and reminded that their vote is their voice.
The lack of development in my region was obvious to even a child who did not understand whose responsibility it was to fix the roads, ensure minorities have equal access to higher institutions of education in their region and get jobs instead of bus loads ferrying people from different regions who did not even understand their language.
Q: You talk a lot about your mum, where is your dad?
A: He is in South Africa, but also knows and supports the way I do things. He often buys me airtime to call my friends and those who might need peer counselling after being abused.
Q: What do you love to do and why?
A: I like helping others and using my voice for the voiceless. I notice that some girls fall prey to masquerading men because of money and political connections to suppress those they abuse. I have managed to see it at a tender age largely because my parents empowered me. I intend to continue raising awareness on political and social inequity and abuse. I believe after graduating from university, I will do many things. I love my social and political advocacy because it is the contribution to my society and making it a beautiful world for all of us to live in regardless of our gender, language or region.
Q: How important is it for teenagers in high school to learn about their rights, their leaders and motivation?
A: Knowledge is power, and human rights are crucial. Teenagers of today are leaders of tomorrow and if they are to be effective as leaders and rise up to the challenges they have to start being doers and advocates now. School life is community life. Freedom of speech is an ideal to strive for as it leads to good governance, accountability and transparency. We need a community and national leaders who can take the country to greater heights and it starts with today’s youth. The Uhuru we hear and learn about starts from school.
Q: What piece of advice can you give teenagers who are at school?
A: School life is the best. It enables young people to understand who they are and their purpose in life. It helps them identify their career pathways. My advice is that all teenagers in schools must be vigilant and game-changers.
They must think like children who were born and bred in the internet of things era. They must research what is right for them. They must not take things for granted but stand up for their rights. They must see every problem as an opportunity for them to showcase their problem-solving and leadership skills.
I managed to convince my parents to save towards me attending leadership conferences. I wanted to participate in the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) held yearly, as I believed it would enhance my leadership characteristics. I always want to participate in conferences that prepare me for a purpose-driven life. I am so looking forward to it.
Q: I understand that your advocacy is a cause of concern at times, how far true is this?
A: It depends whose view it is. Those who don’t want people to know their rights think so. My main concern is to speak for the abused. I am politically affiliated, yes, and a youth activist especially if it has something to do with the girl child or abuse of the marginalised. You know when men in power want to abuse girls simply by cheating them and promising them lies.
When such stories land on my ears I interrogate the affected girl child. Some girls are weak and they report me to those men. This is when I start getting anonymous calls and threats that one day I will disappear. I cannot imagine that. I am young talented and need to work for my family and community, but these threats are a thorn in my flesh. I really get disturbed.
Q: How do you think you will solve this problem?
A: I will definitely find a solution. The challenge I have now is that I am still a teenage and not so well informed politically. As soon as I gain the correct political mileage, and educated I will be ok. Soldiers die in their combats, I am prepared to fight for the rights of women as long I am safe. That I will do.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years?
A: I see myself as medical practitioner professionally. I want to be a medical doctor so that I can help my community. The health delivery system in our country has collapsed so that means even in my professional life I will remain a political individual to push the government to improve the health delivery system and provide the resources required to care for the sick. I will continue to fight for girls and women to ensure they are not abused anywhere in their different positions in life. It is part of me, and no one can stop my passion for women’s rights. I hate abuse.
