Does youth engagement exist or is it ultimately a hoax?

The United Nations, since 2000, has declared 12 August as International Youth Day (IYD). This is to raise awareness about the issues young people in different countries are facing.

The theme of International Youth Day 2020, "Youth Engagement for Global Action" seeks to highlight how the engagement of youths at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can significantly be enhanced.

In commemoration of this, The Youth Cafe had a debate organized by our very own Cynthia Makena. The aim was to examine the role of the youth if it exists; whether it’s at the periphery or at the core of change -driving action. Let's find out!

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Shannon Wardlaw – South Africa

Shannon is a Politics and Economics Student at Wits University. She is an activist for intersectional justice. She is the Vice-Chairperson for Activate (Wits' award-winning LGBTBIA+ organization). She is the Secretary for Rethinking Economics for Africa Wits. She has championed the Zimbabwe Women’s Open 2020 Rated the best Judge at the Golden Tongue Elites 2020 Shannon is the tournament Director for UDDC 2020. Catch her on: Instagram: @shanwithaninsta Twitter:@shanwithatweet Shannon plays the Prime Minister in this debate. She lays the context of the debate and is in support of the motion, that Youth Engagement is a hoax.

Anam Azhar – South Africa

Anam is a seasoned debater from South Africa. In 2017, she and Lindokuhle Mabaso formed part of an all-female, first year, ESL team that broke first in both the ESL and EFL categories at the Southern African University Debating Championship. In 2018, she ranked as the best speaker overall at the Southern African University Debating Championship with an average of 80. She has won Zim Women’s open 2020, UFS Round Robin 2020, Wits pro-am 2020, Queer Open 2019, Women’s open 2018, and Harambee Cup 2017. She is a Jozi Rumble 2019 finalist (second-best speaker), an FSO 2018 finalist (second-best speaker) FSO 2019 finalist (second-best speaker), PPIV 2018 finalist (second-best speaker), UCT open 2018 finalist, a Gauteng open 2018 finalist (best speaker). A SANUDC finalist, a Queer Open 2018 finalist (best speaker), a Women’s open 2019 finalist, an Extensions 2020 finalist (best speaker), and a Laureate 2020 finalist (second-best speaker) a Tug of Words 2020 finalist. At PAUDC 2018, she ranked as the 3rd best speaker, the best speaker from the Southern region, and was a semifinalist. At PAUDC 2019, she ranked as the 5th best speaker and was a quarter-finalist. She enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and watching a lot of TVs. Anan plays the Opposition Leader in this debate. She believes Youth Engagement is not a hoax as there are many ways of expressing it.

Eben Mnzava - Tanzania

Eben Mnzava is a student at the University of Dar es Salaam undertaking a BSc in electrical engineering.He believes that debate is actually an activity that helps people more informed about their surroundings and be more engaged.

Motlatsi Mogorosi – Botswana

“I'm a sweet girl with a sweet personality!” says Motlatsi. Motlatsi is the current president of the University of Botswana Debate Masters Association as well as the Legal Officer of the Pan African Universities Debate Championships Council. My debate achievements are as follows, among others; Quarterfinalist, Pan African Universities Debate Championships Ghana 2019, Best Country Speaker, Botswana, Pan African Universities Debate Championships Ghana 2019, Finalist Southern African Women's Open, Botswana 2018, Quarterfinalist, Pan African Universities Debate Championships Tanzania 2018 She is also Semifinalist, Winter Open Johannesburg 2018, Best Novice Speaker, Free State Open, Bloemfontein 2017, Semifinalist, Southern African National Universities Debate Championships Durban 2017 and Finalist Zimbabwe Women's Open 2017. In this debate, she plays the Deputy Opposition Leader (DOL) and her role is to support Anam’s stand. They both make a splendid team!

Abu Sulemana Mohammed - Ghana

Abu is a student of medicine, He doubles up as a debater and adjudicator in many national and international debate championships, Furthermore, he is the Chairman of the Ghana Universities Debate Association Council and a Social Commentator. In this debate, Abu plays the Member of Government (MOG). He is on the proposing side but has to vouch for himself as he is on a different team from Shannon and Eben. Does he do a better job than them in agreeing to the motion? Let’s find out in a bit!

Zoe Lois Poku - Ghana

Zoe Lois Poku is a second-year Mechanical Engineering student whose debate career began a year ago. She says that her choice to join the debate circuit was a turning point in her life, one she'd be grateful for always. '' I believe the debate should be taught in Universities because, as the youth who will soon be driving forces of economies, we need to address harsh conventions and oppose them. The goal, after all, is to make the world a better place, right? '' She is the Callout '20, Finalist UFS RR' 20, and Winner at Face-offs'20. In this debate, Zoe plays Member of Opposition (MOO). She is to defend against arguments made by Abu while outdoing, the other opposing team; Anan and Motlatsi. Good luck Zoe!

Vanessa Ngunjiri – Kenya

She is a 21-year-old finalist pursuing International Relations at Pioneer International University. “ I enjoy debating and public speaking because it provides a platform to speak on and learn about so many things in the world today.” Says Vanessa In her free time she enjoys volunteering, reading poetry, and sleeping. I think as the youth we matter and we should take this stance with us wherever we go and in whatever we do! Vanessa has had an array of achievements in her debate history: Finalist at Inter-varsity Human Rights Debate Kenya (IHRD), a semi-finalist at Zanzibar opens in 2019, Quarterfinalist at the East African Debate Championships 2019, Adjudicated at the route to food debates, Mwalimu Nyerere High school debates in 2018 and 2019 In this debate, she plays the Government Whip (GW) and is to give a summary of the debate in the perspective of the proposition bench, with a bias against their rival team, Shannon and Eben.

Rodge Gyabaah-Yeboah - Ghana

Rodge Gyabaah-Yeboah is a graduate of University of Energy and Natural Resources who studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering. “I love debates, watching YouTube videos and playing lawn Tennis but my most important would-be hobby is travelling around the world if I should get enough money.” says Rodge. “I have also started an e commerce platform called Zip josh where we seek to bridge the market gap between consumers and retailers. I hope one day I may be able to cause the revolution that will make Africa great again.” In this debate, Rodge plays the Opposition Whip (OW). He gives a summary in the perspective of the Opposition bench with a bias against their rivals on the same bench, Anam and Motlatsi.

Let the games begin!