Rogz Academy and Boost Africa YearBeyond (Yebo) youth teams joined the buzz of excitement in the Jakes Gerwel Hall at the University of the Western Cape on 14 July 2023 as the annual YearBeyond Conference began with the theme GoBeyond, Shape Your Future. Over 800 youth from across the Metro embarked on a transformative three-day learning journey together.
Inspiring Opening
Head of Department of the Western Cape Government for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Guy Redman, opened the conference and challenged our YeBoneers to dream and to show up for themselves. Guy encouraged the YeBoneers to “take charge of the process and commit to it. You need to take charge and shape your future”.
Keynote speaker Farai Mubaiwa, challenged the YeBoneers to tap into their power, to be important agents of change and to be mindful of the role they play as Youth in Africa, leaving them with the inspiring thought “youth are not the leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today, but what will you do with that leadership”.
Impactful Speakers
The morning began with an electric hip-hop performance by Tarique Kenny, which created a great vibe for the youth.
Gabeba Gaidien, development practitioner and director of Heartshine, spoke around the topic of Emotional Intelligence and Agency. Gabeba highlighted that being a visionary is not enough, and that you need to plan, you need to connect and you need to prioritise the value of relationships and what strengths relationships is emotional intelligence”.
Interesting Workshops
Various workshops then started, providing YeBoneers the opportunity to build their Emotional Intelligence. Other interesting workshops included How to Work in Diverse Teams, Relationship Management 101, Mental Health Matters, Mindfulness and Art for Personal Wellbeing.
Stand Up and Change The World
On the final day of the conference, DA Western Cape Minister for Cultural Affairs, Anroux Marais, joined the GoBeyond Conference’s closing ceremony. Addressing over 800 YeBoneers, Minister Marais thanked the YeBoneers for their service and wished them well as they continue into the second half of the year. As the youth in the hall prepared to take the past three days of learning, fun and memories home with them she reminded them: “It is very important that you keep growing your skills and keep the hunger you have for your dreams… it is important to keep going and keep dreaming”.
Monray Hardnick from the National Youth Development Agency shared his words of support and encouragement. Inspired by the song “Stand Up for Love” Monray asked that YeBoneers stand up and change the world.
When someone here rises… the whole community wins
The closing keynote address was delivered by critically acclaimed writer, poet, performer, and producer Siphokazo Jonas. Before the final song and YeBo clap, Siphokazi asked the YeBoneers to write a group Pantoum, collecting ideas from the audience. YeBoneers collaborated for the last time to complete a powerful poem filled with hopes and dreams for their futures. This final keynote was filled with introspection and emotion. Siphokazi reminded the room that “when someone here rises, the whole community wins… my hope is that the work you do in the community will ripple on for generations”.
Conference Feedback From YeBoneers
The YeBoneers thoroughly enjoyed the three-day conference and walked away inspired and refreshed. Take a look at some of their feedback:
“The conference was life-changing. The talks ignited something in me which is inspiring and impactful and made me appreciate the soft skills that I am gaining from this programme. The conference really encouraged me to GO BEYOND and step into my power and out of my comfort zone. I really enjoyed the conference, the playful activities brought out my inner-child which was so therapeutic and healing and made me step into my power.” – YeBoneer Phamela
“I really did enjoy the fringe programmes and I Iearnt a lot from the session. I loved the gender based violence session , also the understanding life challenges session and also I never knew anything about computers. After I went to the IT session I learnt some things would really recommend others to go to the conference next year. There’s the energiser that I loved (it’s a clap song and yebo magic) and I made some friends as it was easier to communicate with them.” – YeBoneer Avela
“In the session on Facing Life Challenges, we were told that “the world doesn’t owe us anything and that you should appreciate everything happening in your life”. That resonated with me.” – YeBoneer Yolanda
“I believe that we are the carriers of the future of this nation and it is critical that we don’t shy away. We have the ability to shift things in the spheres we occupy, because we are not happy with the direction the world is going. Perhaps when we enter future spaces, we may lose ourselves and the odds are against us. But we will strive to possess values to avoid wanting a life which is convenient with little need to sacrifice for what is right. The conference has confirmed my desire to be an active citizen, and given me the opportunity to see that there are many others who desire the same. I want to keep working hard to make a difference in my community through the YearBeyond programme, and beyond, and I am grateful for this opportunity.” – YeBoneer Anelle
Because there is more to business than just doing business
Rogz Academy is honoured to be a part of the YearBeyond programme and the conference has inspired us to work even harder to give a positive impact on our local communities.
Email rogzacademynpo@rogz.com if you want to contribute and get involved with the Rogz Academy.
