Developing leaders for tomorrow in Port Elizabeth

In 2006 and 2007 I have been invited to develop and teach a youth leadership program in Port Elizabeth in Eastern Cape. It is called "Ukuzimisela" (= self determination) and is based on a 2 year program for high school students with modules coinciding with the shool terms.

The invitation was extended by Stephen Tobias Leadership Development Initiatives (STLDI), the brainchild of Sister Bernice Alexander, a South Afrikan who lived most of her life in exile and now wants to give something back to the community she originally came from. The schools involved were Chapman, Cowan, Newell and Paterson high schools, from which 20 students in each school were selected to take part in the program. My task was to design the program, train the four facilitators and provide support for the roll-out.

The program addresses leadership from a different angle than most leadership programs. It rests on the belief that, in order to be a good leader, you must start with yourself, know your community and understand the challenges facing it. Included in this process is dealing with self, family, identity, culture and history. This was quite a new approach for both facilitators and students, but they really immersed themselves in the tasks and exercises in the program. The training and roll-out was masterfully managed by the project coordinator, Sister Estelle Fraser.

I was impressed with facilitators who, in addition to full time employment, worked so hard to roll out the program, and students who showed such enthusiasm and eagerness to learn new things.

Leadership training with youth leaders

In July 2007 I was invited to do a one week Train-The-Trainer program with 30 young leaders from around South Afrika. They all work for the organization HOPE Worldwide, which focuses on awareness work around HIV/AIDS and life skills in high schools. I had packaged a version of my program, "Ukuzimisela" (= self determination) specifically for their needs. They were all well experienced facilitators, organizers and project workers and wanted more input on leadership.

We spent five days doing intense, interactive and process driven learning, creative methodology, theoretical input and developmental work from 8am in the morning to 11pm at night! The group was very enthusiastic and willing to work hard. After this week they all went back to their respective communities to teach the content to other youth leaders. An uplifting and hectic week!

Celebrating Afrikan History Week in Norway

In 2005, together with my good colleagues Lamisi Gurah and Asta Busingye Lydersen, I helped to found AFRIKAN HISTORY WEEK (AHW) in Norway. This has grown to become a Pan-Afrikan cultural festival with emphasis on Afrikan history through arts and culture.

Every year I am invited from South Afrika to be the Artistic Director. The festival is beautiful in that it brings together diverse audiences, creates unity in the Afrikan community of Norway and brings together artists, musicians, scholars, dancers, film makers and cultural workers from different genres, national backgrounds and expressions. And, you bet, the festival is of critical importance. Norway has an Afrikan community of about 50 000 people, and they are largely invisible in media, politics and the public sphere. Yet, there is such a wealth of talent in the community.

In May 2007 I helped the team in Norway to set off the 3rd annual AHW. The program included film screenings, a dance production, concerts, cultural events, seminars, workshops and an outdoor event. The festival is produced as a co-effort between different organizations and resource people in the Afrikan community. One of the artists this year, Umar Bin Hassan from The Last Poets, had been invited for three days, but refused to leave on his day of departure - he just enjoyed the festival too much and decided to stay in Oslo for another three days, on his own account! That is a great testimony to the worth, pride and greatness of AHW.














Feelin' de vibe: Audience at AHW "Chill & Grill" outdoor concert in the Sofienberg Park

Music from the future: Pops Mohamed (in centre, behind microphone) from South Afrika spent four weeks in Norway rehearsing with Afrikan musicians based in Oslo.

The Father of Afrocentrism: Dr. Molefi Kete Asante delivered a lecture on how to address issues of identity and culture in the workplace.

Rappers Delight: Hip-Hop artists Dirrty, STL (both based in Norway) and two members of Hip-Hop collective Kalamashaka (from Kenya) on the streets of Oslo.

Sister Voice: Nomkhubulwane from South Afrika was one of the Artists in Residence and spent four weeks doing workshops and performances with artists in Oslo.

Working with young men for change

In May 2007 I was invited to do some work in Oslo, Norway with a project called "Torsdagsklubben" (= The Thursday Club). The project is by and for young men who, for one reason or another, have had to face great challenges in life and have decided to turn their lives away from trouble. The project was initiated by a good friend and colleague of mine, Brother Moses Kuvoame. They guys meet every Thursday to discuss, share and plan projects related to their life situations. I have met the young men many times and have developed a great respect for their willingness to work for change and improvement in a society that does not regard them much.

The work I have been doing with the project has been on motivation, personal development, manhood, life skills, identity and project planning. Im always inspired when Im around these young guys, they remind me that our purpose in life must always be to move towards greater heights of achievements. Big up to Brother Moses Kuvoame for his consistent work!

Teaching Afrikan History in Cameroon

In March 2007 I was invited for three weeks to teach Afrikan history at the African American Academy (AAA) in Doula, Cameroon. AAA is an Afrikan-Centred school founded by Mrs and Mr Tchameni, two great Pan-Afrikanists.

The shool has 50 students from pre-school to high school level. A very dedicated staff work day and night (literally!) to impart knowledge in all general school subjects. Only that these students go further than your average curriculum. They are taught critical thinking and are given practical assignments.




The school uniforms have Kente designs and the call out the Afrikan Pledge at morning assembly every day. Class rooms are all decorated with pictures of Afrikan heroes and charts displaying information about Afrika. A truly stimulating learning environment for Afrikan children.

My assignment was to take all classes through seminars on Afrikan history and culture, culminating in a presentation for parents and family members. I was greatly inspired by the incredible enthusiasm showed by the pre-school students. They were just extatic whenever I came into the classroom; Another session about Afrika - yeeeeaaaahhh! My job was to get the older students just as excited. And, although many did not exactly jump with excitement in the beginning, they asked very good questions and gradually woke up to the fact that Afrikan history is relevant and can be enjoyable.



AAA is a golden example of how enlightened, engaged and knowledgable our children become when they are in a learning enviornment that affirms them and continuously reminds them of who they are. I just know that when these students go out in the working world, they will create some radical, positive changes.

I owe big thank you's to all the students, the Tchameni's and the hard working teachers for the inspiration they gave me. Merci!

Kwanzaa Celebrations at Ebukhosini 2006

KWANZAA - the Pan-Afrikan holiday of The First Fruits was held on 26 December 2006, at Ebukhosini. Young and old from different communities, walks of life, language groups and faith backgrounds came together as a united family.

Opening Statement

Greetings world, I am about to start launching my blog posts and will do my best to post interesting, relevant and inspiring information. My intention is to share some of the work, experiences, content and practices I engage with through the company of which I am a Founder and Director, Ebukhosini Solutions. We are dedicated to Afrikan traditions, history and liverty and want to make our legacies relevant and practical in these modern times.

Comments and discussion will be very welcome. Looking forward to engaging exchange of wisdom.

To read more about the work I do, go to www.myspace.com/brothabuntu

Peaceful Blessings, Brother Buntu



BROTHER BUNTU, Director, Ebukhosini Solutions, Johannesburg, Azania (South Afrika)