A sterling contribution to youth development

From his days as a head boy at primary school to overseeing the launch of the Dr Timothy Stamps Trust on Chronic Conditions last month, the 23-year-old has shown immense leadership skills and a passion to emancipate youth.

Musa Kika is currently recognised
as one of South Africa's brightest young minds.

by Chris Ncube

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The youngster served as a child parliamentarian and Child Minister of Transport and ommunications in Zimbabwe’s Junior Parliament (2007-2009), founded the Dzivaresekwa-Mabelreign Child Safety Committee, co-founded the Dr Timothy J. Stamps T
rust on Chronic Conditions where he serves Programmes Coordinator, become a member of the Young People’s Network on HIV/AIDS & Sexual Reproductive Health for Harare Province, co-founded the UKZN Student Law Review and recently represented his country at the Commonwealth Legal Education Association’s Law Students Conference seventh Session of the Conference of Youth on Climate Change held at the sidelines of the COP17 meeting in Durban.

In a recent interview with The Zimbabwean, Kika said his passion for empowering youth came after he realised Zimbabwe was in need of development-oriented, innovative and forward looking leaders.
“Young people are the greatest hope the continent has to combat the vices we face today. Investing in young people is building a firm foundation for Africa, especially so in the areas that haunt Africa the most – governance and development,” he said.

“As a young person, I realised that the few talents and abilities I have are better used in the service of the community that I come from, in this case being Zimbabwe and my continent at large. I am inspired by individuals who, in the face of adversity and skepticism, have remained principled.”
The number of hurdles he has encountered over the years have not quenched his passion and drive.
“The challenges I have faced are the very same vices I am fighting: lack of resources, general complacence and lack of motivation to change circumstances for the better.” Kika’s efforts have not gone unnoticed internationally. In 2011, non-governmental organisation, Brightest Young Minds, rated him among the 100 brightest young minds of South Africa. He is currently affiliated to the Brightest Young Minds as an alumnus and is recognized as a Vice Chancellor’s Scholar at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the highest academic honour he has received yet.

 

Published in The Zimbabwean, Harare, 03 July 2013
http://www.thezimbabwean.co/news/zimbabwe/66618/a-sterling-contribution-to-youth.html