Tuesday 31st March 2009, 17:03South Africa Social Enterprise of the YearI had the honour to attend the Nelson Mandela Promise of Leadership conference in Johannesburg this week. It was an amazing event with inputs from leading figures from around the world. The Promise of Leadership conference wanted to give the leaders of South Africa the opportunity to focus on the leadership that can flow from Mandela’s legacy to take South Africa into the future. What have we learnt? What can we take forward? What the seeds that we can plant now to grow leadership trees of the future?
For me there were four key issues from the conference.
• The voice of the young people at the conference had the most clarity and energy. There was one young lady from the Oprah Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa; she silenced the body of world leaders who were present as she spoke of her perspectives for the future of South Africa.
• It was an honour for me to be asked to support the development and recognition of Social Enterprise in South Africa. A4e is a Social Enterprise and we recognise and applaud the drive and energy of social enterprises in South Africa. They have a vision of innovation and overcoming barriers that would lift the heart of any entrepreneur.
• One speaker proposed to the conference that “We are the leaders we have been waiting for.” The significance of the sentence can not be overstated. It echoes JKF and “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” For many the development in South Africa of housing, health, reduction in poverty, access to education still has far to go, but the rally call demands leadership from those all who share the aspiration for South Africa to sit at the top table of the countries of the world. It says there is a space and role for everybody to play in the leadership of this country and the only failing is waiting for others to fill that leadership gap. This speaks not just to the people of South Africa to world’s community and particularly those living in poverty. It also speaks to each and every one of us in A4e as we seek more opportunities to bring our energies to lifting communities out of an eternity of poverty.
• Finally, the award to Lesley Ann of Khulisa topped off the conference as she was recognised as the Social Enterprise of the Year. It comes as no surprise to A4e as we know Lesley and Khulisa well. But we can share in the joy that her talents and commitments have international recognition. Lesley shared the stage with the young people who are the spirit of her work. The ex offenders who have found a new beginning in life. The work of Khulisa and the partnership we have forged with Khulisa over the last two years remains an inspiration to all of us.
My spirits uplifted, my energies recharged and my mind buzzing with ideas I left South Africa.
Thanks
Roy
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