Born in Pietermaritzburg and raised in Umlazi, The Durban University of Technology Alumni, Mxolisi Phakathi is the recipient of the KwaZulu-Natal Young Achievers Award 2018.
The KZN Young Achievers Awards Ceremony is a platform that acknowledges the youth in the KwaZulu-Natal province, for their selfless efforts, and unconditional contributions made towards the development of people in their respective communities and beyond. The Awards Ceremony is an annual event. The 2018 awards ceremony was hosted by the Durban International Convention Centre last month.
Phakathi, who is the eldest of three male siblings, says he realised from a young age that he had to lead by example for his younger brothers. “Being the eldest child in the family of three boys, made me realise that I have the responsibility to lead by example to my younger siblings. I had the privilege to be born into a loving, hospitable, intellectual family who, although enduring many financial constraints, upheld wonderful spiritual, emotional and social values that significantly contributed to me becoming assertive, thoughtful, intelligent and a compassionate young man,” he said proudly.
Phakathi was enrolled at the Durban University of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Environmental Health in 2012. The 30-year-old says he is inspired by the likes of Former Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela. “She has five honorary doctorates for her remarkable work and the humble contribution she has made to humanity in collaboration with various women and men who have been part of her journey. She inspires me because through nurturing and rigorous challenges, including being thrown in the deep end with a life guard at hand, she was placed in a position that optimises meaningful service to humanity, particularly in the areas of human rights, social justice and constitutionalism,” added Phakathi.
Phakathi says winning the award hasn’t drastically changed his life, however it has encouraged him to believe in himself.
“Winning and having success, hasn’t changed my life, but it has taught me a lot about myself and about the nature of work I do. The main thing being to only work on stuff I believe in, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I plan on assuming more leadership roles where I will be able to develop and manage partnership programmes between institutions, corporates, academia, government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs),” he said.
Phakathi who is currently completing his Masters of Public Health says he intends to pursue a PHD in Leadership. “I believe that the more informed you are, the more empowered you are and the greater your chances of achieving success to make a significant contribution to new knowledge in business, societies and area of expertise,” he said.
Pictured: Mxolisi Phakathi with his award.
Thembela Makhuba
