NEPAD and ANC

Friday, July 27, 2007 was quite unique. We experienced private meetings with two extremely powerful entities in the country that other tour groups never get the opportunity to experience. In the morning, thanks to connections made by Dr. Rubin Patterson, we met with Prof. Mzobz Mboya Director of Education and Youth Training for NEPAD (New Partnership For African Development) NEPAD is a vision and strategic framework for Africa's renewal. It advocates good governance as a basic requirement for peace and security. It also advocates the partnership of African people on all fronts: economic, education, capacity building, youth development etc. Prof. Mboya was a gracious host and outlined the full plan of educating and training the youth around the continent in order to build a more solid infrastructure.

In the afternoon we visited the offices of the ANC (African National Congress) the ruling party in S. Africa and of course the party of Nelson Mandela. We were introduced to every aspect of the party literally floor by floor and were given access to each department head with a Q & A session with each. The students were told about the origins of the organization, it's history, and how the ANC was banned during Apartheid but continued to grow and in fact flourish underground. The tour ended when we were introduced to David Maimela the President of SASC (South African Student's Congress) which leads ALL student political organizations in the nation. He engaged our students in an electric conversation about student leadership, defeating apathy, and the deep need for them to have a strong voice in government and in their schools. He implored them to be leaders and not followers, stand for justice and equal rights for all people regardless of race or other differences. We marvelled at his passion and keen understanding of global politics as a young college student himself with such awesome responsibilities. We were also greatly honored that he would carve out time in his day to speak with us. What a rare opportunity to interact in such a way with ANC members who continue to shape history.