It has been amazing and humbling to serve as the WFUNA Young Leader of 2016. My gratitude extends to the WFUNA Secretariat, young people of all UNAs and UNYAs across the world, UNA –Zimbabwe for nominating me, Thekwini City Colleges for their open-door policy in partnerships, Junior Chamber International (JCI) South Africa, Court Vision International, Self-Aware Youth Club, and many other partners. The position enabled me to gain regional and international exposure but above everything else, illuminate the world through leading young people to be responsible and accountable actors in shaping the world we want by 2030.

Some of the notable milestones during my tenure of office are as follows:

2017 (Year for SDG 16 and 5)

Launch of the Annual Inter-colleges Sports for Peace Tournament on the 21st of September every year to commemorate the lnternational Day of Peace. Currently, preparations are now at an advanced stage for the second edition of this tournament, scheduled to be held at Westenburg Community grounds in Polokwane, South Africa on the same date.

Launched Project I Pad which is aimed at giving disadvantaged girls peace of mind through men's support of their menstrual health. The program educates men about the importance of supporting all women: our sisters, mothers, friends, and among others. Every month we bring together sanitary pads that we acquire as a way of showing commitment to the cause and give to disadvantaged girls. So far 350 girls mostly from rural areas have benefited directly from this initiative since its launch.

Partnered with Self Aware Youth Club based in Polokwane Rural areas to host the Annual Miss Self Aware Beauty Pageant from 2017 onwards. This is a project aims to empower girls in rural areas around Polokwane to develop a positive self-image and be able to fearlessly stand up for rights in their communities. This year, the pageant is schedule for December in the other part rural part of Polokwane as a way of giving a chance to all girls in rural areas of Limpopo Province in South Africa.

Launched the Peace Always Campaign, an initiative that is aimed at helping Young People show their commitment to peaceful actions. As a promise to continuously display their commitments, young people signed their names in a Peace Pledge Declaration book. The book at the moment has more than one thousand signatures of young people from different backgrounds, nationalities and gender.

Supported a rural community basketball team in Jozini, KwaZulu Natal Province in South Africa with technical and financial support. In collaboration with Court Vision International (https://www.courtvisionconnect.com/), the project was aimed at supporting Young People to get out of drugs and positively channel their energy towards self and community development.

  2018 (Year of ensuring Quality Education - SDG 4):

1. Smart Learning Campaign: In partnership with Thekwini City Colleges in South Africa, we are running a program of providing seven-inch customized tablets to newly registered students especially those studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This is a way of encouraging Young People to venture into this field of STEM, which is one of the central keys in the sustainable development of Africa. Through this program the number of girls registering, especially for engineering courses with the college campuses across the country, has doubled. Thus, this initiative did not only see a positive achievement for SDG 4 but also SDG 5. This is a five-year program running until 2022.

2. Launch of the Nelson Mandela Public Management and Education Bursary under the Bernard Sihlezi Bebe Foundation (https://www.facebook.com/Bernard-Sihlezi-Bebe-Foundation-418770161579994/). At the moment, this bursary mostly covers the costs for textbooks and mentors for students who qualify for financial aid. These students study Public Management and Education across TVET colleges in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The program aims to inspire students to help Public Officials and Educators strengthen the next generation of global citizens. Nelson Mandela’s values, which are peace and reconciliation, selflessness and service to humanity are central to the program’s mission and vision.

Honoured the 67 Minutes of Volunteerism of the Nelson Mandela Day 2018 by vanishing 100 desks at one of the Campuses of Thekwini City College in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Raised awareness among Thekwini City College students about the Global Youth Service Day and conducted a cleanup at one of their campuses and offered them certificates of participation in partnership with Youth Service America (https://ysa.org/ ).This event was well published in two local newspapers (https://reviewonline.co.za/262370/foundation-set-to-better-lives/).

Formulated an online petition and sent letters to the Clerk of Parliament and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC). This petition was aimed at discouraging the use of Hate Speech during the era of political campaigns in the recently held elections in Zimbabwe. After 2 weeks of petitioning, the NPRC came up with a Peace Pledge which was signed by all 23 Political Party Representatives who were contesting in these corresponding elections in Zimbabwe. (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1303852599717513&id=304646782971438).

Also created a peace video in partnership with an upcoming comedian in Zimbabwe. We made the video during the elections campaign period in Zimbabwe. It was aimed at discouraging Young People from indulging themselves in any form of electoral violence. The video was circulated on social media sites, such as Whatsapp and Facebook. (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1705929242859103&id=1262085897243442)

My service to humanity will not end with my term of service as the WFUNA Young Leader of 2016, but rather a lifetime commitment. Looking forward to cordial working relations with the incoming WFUNA Young Leader of 2018. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Peace is Possible

In February this year, l was invited by Junior Chamber International (JCI), Tswane Chapter, South Africa to one of their member's monthly meetings. My role at the meeting was to speak about my peace projects with UNA- Zimbabwe and the award l won as the WFUNA Young Leader of the Year 2016 working on SDG 16.

After my presentation, JCI Tswane, South Africa asked for my technical expertise in the field of Peace towards supporting their lnternational Peace Campaign titled "Peace is Possible" and if possible foster a regional partnership as a way of complementing our efforts in creating a peaceful world by 2030. After all details are sorted out the two organisations (UNA-Zimbabwe and JCI Tswane, South Africa ) will sign an MOU (SDG 17) towards implementing Peace Projects.

      {UNA Georgetown Law at the podium of the UN General Assembly}

On Friday February 17th 2017, team members of the United Nations Association – Georgetown Law (UNAGL) had the opportunity to actively take part in UNA-USA Members’ Day and visit the UN headquarters in NYC. All throughout the day, we had the privilege of sitting down in the General Assembly, connecting with delegations of other UN associations from all over the country and discussing the role of the United States within the organization with high-level UN officials and ambassadors, as well as reflecting on the current trends that will shape the UN and its mission throughout the following years such as sustainable development, displacement, conflict prevention, and the role of youth.

Zimbabwe’s SDGs Generation

SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals

"Partnerships are becoming increasingly important in today’s society. Globalization is changing the world and we have come to a point where no state is an island. I first realized the strengths of partnerships as a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations Youth Advisory Council. Youths from all over the world are represented in the Council and by working together we give the young people a voice in the international arena. Together we are stronger and more influential. Goal 17, Partnerships for the Goals, is my favorite SDG."

Zimbabwe’s SDGs Generation

SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

“World peace begins at a personal level. First of all you have to find peace within yourself, that will enable you to have peace with the person next to you. As the head of the Peace Department at Zimbabwe United Nations Association I have worked a lot with inter-religious peace to create mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims. We need to understand that we are all human beings. We are born free and equal.”

Zimbabwe’s SDGs Generation

SDG13: Climate Action

“Zimbabwe is an agro based economy. Most people here are farmers. The past year our climate has changed significantly. We have had droughts that have been followed by floods and the agricultural sector has suffered severely. We need to look after the environment - then the environment will look after us. People need to be educated on how they are contributing to climate change and what they can do, themselves, to mitigate their environmental impact. We also need to adapt to the changing climate by planting crops that can survive in this new, warmer climate.”

Zimbabwe’s SDGs Generation

SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production

“We must bear in mind that this planet is borrowed from future generations. Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG12, is important because how we consume and produce today will affect our children and grandchildren and all coming generations. We need to increase our production in Zimbabwe -right now we import 70-80% of the things that we consume - but production must be conducted in a responsible way. For example, wetlands should not be used for agriculture since it is damaging for the whole ecosystem. Destruction of wetlands is a big problem here in Zimbabwe and with the Zimbabwe United Nations Association, I work on a program where we visit schools in these areas and teach the students about the importance of preserving the wetlands.”

Zimbabwe’s SDGs Generation

SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation

“Water scarcity is a global challenge and it affects so many aspects of people’s lives. Here in Zimbabwe, agriculture has suffered severely due to the low rainfalls last year. This has lead to hunger, poverty and malnutrition. At Midland State University I was part of a project group that tried to help people in rural districts who are the ones who have been the most affected by the droughts and water related issues. That really made me realise the importance of SDG 6 Clean Water & Sanitation.”