From Ivory Park to the big wide world

Amanda Nomnqa from Ivory Park attended the 74th United Nations General Assembly high level strategic world meeting, representing South Africa and the youth of Africa, in September.

According to the 22-year-old, the objective of the first event was to evaluate the engagement of African youth with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their contribution to security-related questions and elaborating the strategic plan for the advancement of achieving the SGD’s by the youth, which was a side event organised by her and the team at the headquarters of UN as the executive secretary.

She also attended the United Nations General Assembly world annual meeting with the world leaders from all nations.

“What an honour to be a delegate, to learn, participate, witness some decision-making by the presidents and leaders about our future and progress as nations,” said Nomnqa.

According to Nomnqa, the meeting was chaired by the chief of staff of the president of Burkina Faso, Dr El Hadj Saydou Zagré.

“On the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly, nearly 100 young people from all over Africa met at United Nations headquarters on September 25 to stand on hot topics of time, such as development and security, and also to advocate on other matters no less important. This initiative of the Network of Organisations of Young African Leaders of the United Nations (ROJALNU Africa),” explained Nomnqa.

Nomnqa said the youth gathered around the theme “Youth and the objectives of sustainable development plus security, evaluation and strategic plan of advancement”.

“The young people exchanged and shared their experiences in their respective countries on topics such as security, education, health, technology, politics, internet and social media beyond the primary objective of ROJALNU Africa, which is to promote the citizen and responsible participation of young people in the process to achieve the objectives of SDG,” she said.

She is also an international leader and advocate of youth development, purpose driven, serial entrepreneur, CEO of E-Connect internet service provider, founder and chairperson of SheIsBrave empowerment and mentoring NPO, ROJALNU Africa UN executive secretary, on the African Youth Union South Africa Chapter board of directors, motivational speaker, Ekurhuleni 100 Shining Star, nurse, IT graduate, internationally certified Google digital skills trainer, consultant, BlackLikeMe Natural Hair ambassador, UN SDGs activist, digital entrepreneurship coach and an agent of change.

Nomnqa said young people need to be empowered to change their mentality and she will continue to advocate for free education, economic development and the use of the internet.

“We need to educate young people about safety and climate change. The SDGs are crucial to help get to the next level and for development,” she said.

“I would love to thank all stakeholders involved in this trip to represent the youth of our continent on one of the biggest stages in the world and all the support shown,” said Nomnqa.