Unisa online - Youth inspired at the UNISA Women's Forum Youth Day

On Thursday 12 June 2008 the UNISA Women’s Forum Youth Day inspired youth to create a better life for themselves. It was celebrated at the Senate Hall on the main campus.

There were two moving presentations from UNISA’s Dr. Anniekie Ravhudzulo from the Institute for Curriculum and Learning Development (ICLD) and an over-achiever first year student Wendy Nthantha.

Nthantha (19) gave an inspirational talk encouraging the youth to live their dreams. Reading for her BA (Language and Literature), this young go-getter has been also been awarded special funding from a Canadian university who will sponsor 2 years of her studies. She says that “if you want success, you start with your dreams…you choose where you want to go as you are in the driver’s seat.”

She urged the youth to stand up and claim their life saying, “you have been given the tools, everything is at your disposal…You’re a magnet that attracts your goals and thereby you attract your success.”

Engaging youth

The keynote speaker of the day was Dr. Ravhudzulo who engaged the audience on many pressing issues of gaining success, changing attitudes as well as marriage decisions that the youth face today in this ever changing South African landscape. This motivational speaker, author of 8 motivational books, producer of several CDs and DVDs, education consultant, as well as an ordained Pastor says that “darkness is creeping in our land…our country is no longer user-friendly.” Our families are in a crisis, but there is hope.

Dr. Ravhudzulo speaking to the audience in a sermon-like fashion encouraged the youth to rightfully claim the life that has been bestowed upon them through God. “All doors are closed but not locked, so you better start knocking,” she says. She urged the youth to take heed of her words that “life is about taking on challenges and accepting responsibilities…and managing challenges constructively and creatively”. In trying to apply these ideas, youth can take control of their life so that they can be an active participant of their success.

Attitudes

She says that knowing and acknowledging attitudes about yourself, about other people as well as towards life as a whole can greatly enhance your ability in moving forward with a purpose.

Dr. Ravhudzulo also touched on youth delving into marriage at such a young age, questioning their decisions. She urged the youth to prepare before committing to a marriage, in being financially established, mature and making a conscious decision to enter into such a commitment.

The session ended in fun and exciting giveaways of Dr Ravhudzulo’s books, DVDs and CDs to the audience.