Community Development Association Hosts Leadership Workshop

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The Community Development Association on UKZN’s Howard College campus recently hosted its inaugural leadership training workshop for its Local Executive Committee.

The workshop held under the theme “Leading for Change” was attended by branch executive members.

Critical leadership skills were imparted and a strategic plan discussed for activities in 2016. Speakers at the workshop underscored the need for selfless and dedicated leadership to serve the community with diligence.

CDA Foundation member and political science student, Mr James Ndlovu, encouraged leaders to be visionary and lead by example in carrying out their delegated duties, saying leadership went beyond ability and training.

‘Leaders are born or made but I want to challenge that by saying leadership is a choice,’ said Ndlovu. ‘One decides to lead by adopting leadership values, integrity, vision, dedication, commitment towards achieving a purpose and through seeking to empower others to be leaders as well.

‘A leader leads themselves first before they lead others. Whenever there is a human need a leader is always ready to challenge, prepare and take a plunge to make a difference and that decision takes more than natural leadership ability and training.’

He spoke about the foundations of the organisation and shared its vision and constitutional values with the participants.  He also urged the participants to be innovative leaders and challenged them to mobilise resources for greater reach.

‘The CDA as a movement, is motivated by need and for us to be able to meet that need we have to be resourceful. As the LEC, you need to be equally innovative and engage in strategic partnerships with various other stakeholders that will help you move the organisational agenda forward. The CDA should be able to come up with sustainable long term projects for it to be able to stay afloat and carry out its mandate,’ said Ndlovu.

CDA Foundation executive member and education student, Mr Menzi Mfeka added: ‘Our rate of success and growth will not be determined by the number of projects or participants that you reach, but by the level of impact on communities.’

He applauded the leaders for availing themselves to service the communities on a voluntary basis and called on them to use their posts for the betterment of themselves and the communities they served.

Workshop participant, Ms Amanda Mafuleka, said: ‘I now have a better understanding of the role I have to play in the organisation’, while Mr Sandile Msimang said: ‘We hope to have more of these workshops in future. It assists in the development of us as leaders.’

Melissa Mungroo