UKZN Students Participate in Youth Summit in Parliament

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Walking in the footsteps of the legends, members of Scathamiya group the Young Mbazo and Miranda Mbonambi recently visited the South African parliament in Cape Town. The visit was part of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Summit held in parliament from 10 to 12 July.

About 350 young people from across the country attended the summit where the Young Mbazo also got the opportunity to perform at the conference gala dinner. The Young Mbazo leader and founder is Babuyile Shabalala, the grandson of Dr Bhekizizwe Shababala, the leader and founder of internationally renowned acapella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

He is also the group’s Artistic Director and UKZN BA Music, Media and Drama Performance Studies student. Speaking on behalf of the group, Babuyile said, ‘This was an awakening experience that brought much understanding to us about Chapter 9 institutions and the structures in parliament.’

Mbonambi, an honours student with majors in Criminology and Forensic Studies was selected as one of the 20 delegates that were representing Durban after participating in a conference hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. For Mbonambi, the summit was a memorable event as this was the very first youth summit to be held in parliament and also gave her the opportunity to travel around Cape Town and appreciate its beauty.

She said that as a delegate, she engaged in critical dialogue with political leaders about the challenges affecting the youth. ‘The youth for the longest times, has felt voiceless especially young kids from as young as eight years and this was a chance to visit parliament and be a voice for every child in South Africa that couldn’t attend,’ said Mbonambi.

Words and photographs: Nokubonga Nomasiko Jele