THE area’s potholes, bylaw infringements, rate and taxpayer concerns, among other issues are in good hands, if the words of Redhill School’s Sam Musker (17) are anything to go by.
Musker is the new ‘voice’ or public relations officer of the Johannesburg Junior Council (JJC) which aims to develop future leaders and outstanding citizens in the country. He his confident that the experience he gains in the council will put him in a good position to take the reigns of community leadership in the future.
“It is a ‘mock’ council of sorts,” he said. It is made of 74 junior councillors, all school goers, nominated from 40 secondary schools in the greater Johannesburg area. The JJC was established in Johannesburg in 1928 making it one of the first junior councils in Southern Africa. It was formally associated with the Johannesburg City Council. It is now a registered non-profit organisation, completely self-sufficient and run by the youth of Johannesburg.
Musker was elected into the executive committee of the group, along with five other executives. His position was secured “through a democratic voting process” by his colleagues in junior council.
“This year’s work has been a massive learning curve,” said Musker. “I have been thrown into the deep end of managing the publicity of council without any flotation device. This work has included managing the Facebook page, Twitter account, website and media relations of council.
“I have learned how to conduct interviews, manage a website and effectively market an organisation.”
He said his biggest challenge had been trying to publicise the organisation on a minimal budget. “I am, however, a firm believer that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.”
His position was secured “through a democratic voting process” by his colleagues in junior council.
His said the most valuable experience in his term so far had been representing the council at a conference in Durban, where he was elected as chairperson of the Southern African Youth Inter-Councils Action Network. “This organisation aims to bring together the councils of South Africa and Zimbabwe, to act as a united voice of the southern African youth,” explained Musker.
His next exciting project is to help organise the youth marches for education scheduled for 16 June.
“Many young people feel that their contributions are irrelevant. But even the largest of pictures is made up of pixels or strokes of paint. If everybody does their part, no matter how small, we can drive real social change.”
Details: Johannesburg Junior Council Facebook page, Twitter: @jhbjnrcouncil.
