Young, ‘Innocent’ and motivated

Most 19-year-olds are concerned about the latest sneaker trend, music video from their favourite artist or what their crush said about them on social media.

But, when you meet Innocent Ximba, a first year student at Boston City Campus Benoni, you immediately realise that he is different from the rest. In fact, I almost missed him when we he walked past me in his dapper navy blue suit.

“It started with public speaking and debate in high school, when I was in Grade 11,” he said.

”I soon became president of the debating team and that’s when I got started on my path of leadership.”

He is articulate and confident and could possibly convince one of many things and has fortunately decided to use his ability to empower and help others.

“I realised quite early on that words have an impact that can either be negative or positive,” he said.

”While I was on the debating team I noticed that although we had all these impressive debates, the things we said had no impact on the communities we were talking about.”

And so his career as a motivational speaker was born. He believes that everyone has the potential to motivate themselves and his job would be to assist people to believe they can achieve whatever goals they have set fro themselves.

“We all have the ability to see our own potential and believe in ourselves, but not everyone can constantly be positive about their abilities. My talks are like coaching sessions, where I assert the belief that a person can be ready in themself, but sometimes needs reminding. I’m the person who will be rooting for you, even when you’re not sure of yourself,” he said.

He hosted his first leadership seminar at his local church in Kwa-Thema where he and two other young speakers addressed the youth of Kwa-Thema, Tsakane and Duduza. He also featured as regular on the drive time show of community radio station, eKasi Konnexion Community Radio and was recently featured on the youth magazine show. Mzansi Insider.

“After being on Mzansi Insider, my career really started to take off and looking at my diary, I am booked up until October already,” he smiled.

He attributes his success to his deep spirituality and close relationship with God; despite having come across some challenges from a young age, he believes that, through constant prayer he was able to stay motivated.

“God is my manager – he motivates me and offers me a lifetime of protection. I sincerely believe that the best thing that happened to me was meeting Christ and accepting him into my life when I was 17. ”Although I’ve always gone to church, I was glad to finally understand why I go and worship every Sunday,” he added.

He is passionate about helping and empowering the youth and encouraging them to focus on their education, to reach their full potential.

“I am only starting my academic career this year and hope to eventually get a doctorate in business. I see my brand going national and eventually global. I hope to reach 30 being known as Dr Innocent Ximba giving talks all over the world, inspiring people to discover and fulfil their purpose,” he concluded.