Activating the future
Koketso Marishane's dreams are not only limited to his personal goals but the dreams of a better South Africa for all; especially the youth.
LIMPOPO – The 31-year-old Marishane hails from Ga-Marishane in Limpopo. He is an active member of Activate which is a movement specifically aimed at the youth. “Activate Leadership and Public Innovation is a youth leadership development training programme aimed at the youth of South Africa. The program sells as Activate! Change Drivers and functions as a network of young leaders from South Africa who are equipped to drive positive change within communities in South Africa,” Marishane explained.
He says the initiative was introduced in 2012 by Chris Meintjes who had a vision of conglomerating young leaders from different walks of life to form one powerful coalition. This coalition would be aimed at addressing the issues faced by the community as a whole.
He serves as the ex officio member of committee of the programme in Limpopo. Marishane says his ultimate goal is to try and assist his fellow man.
“I’m still a change driver within a bureaucratic space that deals with some of the most complex and daunting challenges people can experience, such as gross inequality, high levels of youth unemployment and visibly intractable armed conflicts,” Marishane explains.
He says being part of the initiative has enabled him to live in the present.
Activate is not the only thing Marishane is passionate about, he says that education has been and will always be his number one priority. “I live by the mantra, Good Orderly Development (GOD). Through GOD, I find peace, with GOD I am able to do the things I need to do. I am passionate about education and using it to develop my community,” he continued.
Some of Marishane’s highlights include being chosen as one of the United Nations representatives in the country. In 2014 he had the privilege of representing South Africa at the United Nations General Assembly which took place in Bali, Indonesia. He says one of his favourite parts is the opportunity he was given to explore the world. “I was fortunate to be selected as part of the Top 100 Youth Leaders in the World to receive an invitation letter from both the Office of the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, and the Government of Indonesia,” Marishane said. His hope for the youth is that they realise change is an inevitable part of life. “Use your power to decide if you want to become a master of change or a victim of change.
“Change is a reality we all face. May GOD make you realise that behind you lies infinite power, before you is endless possibility, and around you is boundless opportunity,” he concludes.
