CAPE TOWN, June 7, 2024 — The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation is delighted to launch The Tutu Courageous Leadership Course at Desmond & Leah Tutu House on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 from 14:00–16:00 SAST. At the Foundation we often refer to the Arch’s idea that “the tidal wave of change is made up of a million ripples.” This course is part of the Foundation’s Leading for Humanity programme, which nurtures, supports, and trains aspiring leaders towards values-based, inclusive, and humane decisions and actions towards social healing and change.
“As we step into the next era of our democracy, the Foundation has a particular focus on building the courageous leadership of young people. Just as every generation finds its purpose, so this generation of young people must step up with courage and heart to shape to the next thirty years of our democracy”, says Janet Jobson, CEO of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Foundation.
The course aims to inspire and empower viewers and participants to become more courageously engaged in their lives and in the lives of others by focusing on the core internal and interpersonal qualities needed to take consistent action to heal themselves and society. The primary target audience in South Africa is aged 15-35 years, but the content has been framed for a broader audience and will also be shared on platforms that are accessible internationally.
Other speakers at the launch will be Deidré Baartman, former member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Roderick Thyssen, Deputy Director: International Relations at Provincial Government of the Western Cape and Hanns Bühler, resident representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The development of The Tutu Courageous Leadership Course is made possible through the generous support of the Bavarian State Chancellery. The project is part of a series of ongoing capacity-building projects and programmes implemented by the Hanns Seidel Foundation that make up the long-standing partnership between Bavaria and the Western Cape, established in 1995.
“Courageous democratic leadership is paramount in the uncertain times in which we live. The ability to lead, to bring people together, to find compromise and to build trust will be crucial to the future and development of South Africa”, says Hanns Bühler, Resident Representative for South Africa, Hanns Seidel Foundation.
Janet Jobson will moderate a panel discussion, “So we voted, what now? Supporting courageous youth leadership for democracy.” She will be joined by:
Siphelele Chirwa – CEO of ACTIVATE! Change Drivers. Siphelele has been working in the youth development sector for the last 17 years, with different NGOs Across South Africa and internationally and also designs and facilitates experiential programmes in leadership, life skills and rites of passage for young people and adults from all backgrounds.
Jessica Dewhurst – CEO and Founder of Justice Desk Africa. Justice Desk Africa fights for Human Rights across Africa, by educating, training and empowering everyday people to become Human Rights Defenders. Since its establishment in 2013, Justice Desk Africa has impacted the lives of over 2 million people. Jess believes in the power of the everyday person, especially among the youth.
Sandile Tshabalala – Co-founder of Huruma Bantfu, a private company committed to co-creating conditions for human-centred upliftment and optimised outcomes for its clients and their communities. It aims to facilitate the commercialisation of socio-economic opportunities through innovative collaboration and cultivating social capital through inter-cultural insights.
Inam Qoma – Co-owner and CEO of Rothko Brand Partners, a 100% women-owned and 51% Black-owned content marketing agency. With over a decade of strategic communications expertise, Inam has helped individuals and organisations across education, sustainability, finance, and research achieve their goals through compelling storytelling.