The Kaleidoscope Youth Network in partnership with Shadows in the Rainbow, a DUT based organisation representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTIA) students hosted the first Regional Lekgotla where leadership capacity building was discussed.
The mini-lekgotla titled “Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” started on Thursday (28 June 2012) last week to Sunday (01 July 2012) at the Steve Biko Campus.
The Kaleidoscope Youth Network is a body of student solidarity organisations which represent LGBTIA students at higher education institutions across South Africa. The 17 member organisations operate in regions such as Pietermaritzburg, Fort Hare, Stellenbosch, Mafikeng and Bloemfontein.
The mission of the Kaleidoscope Youth Network is to promote health and wellness amongst youth, empower future leaders and eradicate hate crimes.
Shadows in the Rainbow and the Durban University of Technology hosted representatives from DUT, UKZN as well as members from the Kaleidoscope Youth Network management team. The group followed an intensive programme which included training in campaign building, networking strategies and problem-solving strategising for issues faced by the LGBTIA group.
Thami Mahlobo from Shadows of the Rainbow said LGBTIA people are minorities at places of higher education and they face challenges because of this. “We hope to identify future leaders (during the lekgotla)”, he said.
Kaleidoscope Youth Network National Convener Anzio Jacobs said the idea behind the conference was to impart as much knowledge as possible. Jacobs said the network would like to host a bigger conference with other African countries at the end of the year which he said would like a “think tank”.
“This lekgotla is focused on capacity building and development. I must commend DUT for actively participating in something like this. We need role models. With strong leaders such as Shadows in the Rainbow, we will achieve”, said Jacobs.
– Sinegugu Ndlovu
Caption: Members of the DUT based Gay and Lesbian Society Shadows in the Rainbow as well as the Kaleidoscope Youth Network hosted a conference aimed at building leadership capacity.
