Sterling community work pays dividends for Alex youth activist

Nkele Galedzana’s sterling community-building in the broken community of Alexandra, supported by the exposure given to her by Alex News has finally paid off huge dividends for the youthful activist.

This after her being chosen as one of the Top 200 Young South Africans in Politics and Governance by a Mail and Guardian survey. There was a hefty list of 3 000 hopeful candidates that a judging panel whittled down to 200 and she came out sprinting on that list.

This qualifies Alex-born Galedzana (27), a horticulturalist by profession for City Parks who is also a political and social activist, to study for a three-year BA degree in leadership and governance matters at African Leadership University in one of the most promising emerging African nations, Rwanda.

“You have played your part and you can share this wonderful news with your esteemed readers,” she told Alex News on learning she had been chosen among the Top 200 Young South Africans who are making a difference in their communities in matters of politics and governance.

“I am so elated and over the moon. My hard work and commitment to the future of the youth of Alexandra have finally paid off amazing dividends. This tells anyone out there, especially our youth in despair, that with a chosen path and determination, anything by anyone of whatever stature in society, can be done,” she said.

Galedzana, a Minerva Secondary School matriculant many moons ago, mobilised a massive clean-up campaign involving young people in the aftermath of the looting and burning of Pan Africa Mall and Square during the July 2021 riots.

Galedzana also runs a kitchen soup, and blanket drive, works with drug-afflicted youth and tutors, and hosts career expos for learners in her township of birth. She also hosts family and community gatherings aimed at bringing people of diverse tribes and political beliefs who were once at each other’s throats during the political upheavals of the 1980s and onwards.

But Galedzana, who was an independent candidate for Ward 75 in the 2021 Local Government Elections, needs help to conquer the last hurdle of her dream and that is to study.

She has an annual fee of R50 000 to take care of and a registration amount of R10 000 that is due no later than July 25 to enable her to apply for a visa to attend orientation week at the university by August 25.

Details: Nkele Galedzana 062 950 2249; nkele.galeg@gmail.com

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