The Economic State of the World:
Jeremy Gardiner, Director at Ninety One, delivered a keynote address on the 'economic state of the world.' He discussed the outlook for the region's currency, interest rates and emerging markets. Jeremy emphasized fiscal responsibility, progress despite economic challenges, and the positive outlook for South Africa's foreign policy aligned with economic interests.
The heart of the event was a panel discussion on this year's Summit Plenary topics, featuring expert panelists from various fields. They delved into critical issues including Peace and Reconciliation, Mental Health, the Food Crisis, Climate Emergency, and Education. The discussion was moderated by Sethlogani Manchidi, Investec’s Head of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) with the the discussion represented by the following panelists:
- Shudufadzho Musida, OYW Counsellor, UNFPA Regional Champion For East and Southern Africa, Author of Shudu Finds her magic, a children's book on addressing bullying in schools and the 2020 Miss South Africa.
- Mandy Muchnick, OYW Africa Chair, Chief Revenue Officer and Chief financial Officer of the Panda Mental Health App.
- Manuel Rodriguez, Co-founder of Escolha Da Povo (EDP), an agro-processing and poultry farm project, in the agricultural centre of Mozambique.
- David Willima, Research Officer on maritime security at the Institute for Security Studies.
- Professor Sarita Ramsaroop, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Childhood Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg.
The 2023 Southern Africa Send-Off Event, held in partnership with Investec on September 13th, brought together a diverse group of attendees both in-person and online. The event, hosted by Vandana Satgoor, One Young World Southern Africa Coordinating Ambassador, celebrated the 72 exceptional Delegates representing the region at this year's One Young World Summit in Belfast. Here are the event's standout moments:
Welcoming Inspirations:
Mandy Muchnick, Chair for One Young World in Africa, kicked off the event by extending a warm welcome to all attendees. She emphasized the strength and engagement of the Southern Africa region the 2023 Delegates will be joining within the global One Young World community, highlighting what a special network they will be part of and its commitment to addressing today's pressing challenges.
Sethlogani Manchidi, Investec’s Head of Corporate Social Investment (CSI), drew inspiration from Amanda Gorman's poem, "The Hill We Climb." He stressed the importance of working towards a shared future by setting aside differences and creating enduring value in society.
Southern Africa & UK Partnerships:
Antony Phillipson, the British High Commissioner in South Africa, underscored the significance of people-to-people partnerships between Southern Africa and the UK. He highlighted the role of One Young World Ambassadors in strengthening these connections and provided insights into what delegates could expect from their journey to Belfast, this year's Summit host city.
Maritime Boundaries and Climate Crisis:
David Willema shed light on the economic, environmental, and security implications of maritime boundaries. The panel stressed the urgency of resolving these issues for Africa's well-being and the dire state of the world's oceans due to climate change.
Food Security and Education:
Manuel Rodriguez discussed how entrepreneurship and education can combat food insecurity, empower small-scale farmers, and promote economic development. Professor Sarita Ramsaroop emphasized the importance of early childhood development, teacher training, and holistic approaches to education for improving literacy levels and inclusion.
Mental Health Advocacy:
Mandy Muchnick emphasized the urgent need to address mental health challenges, with Southern Africa facing the second-highest suicide rate globally. Shudufadzho Musida stressed the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues and creating safe spaces for honest conversations.
The event concluded with One young World Advisor, Geoff Rothschild, sharing heartfelt wishes with this year's Delegates. He reminded them of their responsibility and the hope they carry to address the region's challenges upon their return.
A big thank you to Investec who was our corporate sponsor and the Investec project team who made this event a success; Thato Mpakanyane, Percy Matee, and Sanja Priessnitz including our One Young World Southern Africa family Mandy Muchnick, Geoff Rothschild, Entle Mmipi and Vandana Satgoor