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We are the ones we’ve been waiting for | Farai Mubaiwa | TEDxFS


I’m black

I’m black [Music]

[Music]

[Music] some people say Brown

some people say Brown

some people say Brown others will say chocolate then some

others will say chocolate then some

others will say chocolate then some others will use some nasty words I’m a

others will use some nasty words I’m a

others will use some nasty words I’m a woman

woman

woman some people say little girl others will

some people say little girl others will

some people say little girl others will say second-class citizen I am an African

say second-class citizen I am an African

say second-class citizen I am an African some people say corrupt most people say

some people say corrupt most people say

some people say corrupt most people say poor what a way to make everyone

poor what a way to make everyone

poor what a way to make everyone uncomfortable but you see I share these

uncomfortable but you see I share these

uncomfortable but you see I share these aspects of myself because before I was

aspects of myself because before I was

aspects of myself because before I was conceived the world decided how I would

conceived the world decided how I would

conceived the world decided how I would be treated and what the trajectory of my

be treated and what the trajectory of my

be treated and what the trajectory of my life should be the world has

life should be the world has

life should be the world has subconsciously influenced so many of you

subconsciously influenced so many of you

subconsciously influenced so many of you here today and how you perceive me and I

here today and how you perceive me and I

here today and how you perceive me and I make you uncomfortable for a reason I

make you uncomfortable for a reason I

make you uncomfortable for a reason I make you uncomfortable to show you that

make you uncomfortable to show you that

make you uncomfortable to show you that it is possible for young people to stand

it is possible for young people to stand

it is possible for young people to stand up and step up in their society to lead

up and step up in their society to lead

up and step up in their society to lead I am 23 I’m black I’m a woman and I’m an

I am 23 I’m black I’m a woman and I’m an

I am 23 I’m black I’m a woman and I’m an African and who would have ever imagined

African and who would have ever imagined

African and who would have ever imagined that I’d be in Frankfort today talking

that I’d be in Frankfort today talking

that I’d be in Frankfort today talking about youth empowerment see youth

about youth empowerment see youth

about youth empowerment see youth empowerment is not a choice for us and I

empowerment is not a choice for us and I

empowerment is not a choice for us and I say it’s not a choice for us because

say it’s not a choice for us because

say it’s not a choice for us because every section of the world is falling

every section of the world is falling

every section of the world is falling apart we see genocide gender-based

apart we see genocide gender-based

apart we see genocide gender-based violence slavery poverty refugee camps

violence slavery poverty refugee camps

violence slavery poverty refugee camps attacks by extremists and despicable

attacks by extremists and despicable

attacks by extremists and despicable leadership and that’s just naming a few

leadership and that’s just naming a few

leadership and that’s just naming a few and when I think of all these things

and when I think of all these things

and when I think of all these things happening in the world I always remember

happening in the world I always remember

happening in the world I always remember the words of Professor parking from the

the words of Professor parking from the

the words of Professor parking from the University of Cape Town she once told me

University of Cape Town she once told me

University of Cape Town she once told me we are the ones we have been waiting for

we are the ones we have been waiting for

we are the ones we have been waiting for and I say youth empowerment is not a

and I say youth empowerment is not a

and I say youth empowerment is not a choice because we are the ones we have

choice because we are the ones we have

choice because we are the ones we have been waiting for we are the

been waiting for we are the

been waiting for we are the have to step up in our societies and

have to step up in our societies and

have to step up in our societies and lead throughout my life they have been

lead throughout my life they have been

lead throughout my life they have been various experiences that have challenged

various experiences that have challenged

various experiences that have challenged me to stop waiting for other people to

me to stop waiting for other people to

me to stop waiting for other people to come with solutions and to make

come with solutions and to make

come with solutions and to make solutions myself and I’m sure that in

solutions myself and I’m sure that in

solutions myself and I’m sure that in your own life you’ve had experiences

your own life you’ve had experiences

your own life you’ve had experiences that have challenged you as well but

that have challenged you as well but

that have challenged you as well but were you still waiting for other people

were you still waiting for other people

were you still waiting for other people or did you step up and lead I’m gonna

or did you step up and lead I’m gonna

or did you step up and lead I’m gonna share three stories with you that

share three stories with you that

share three stories with you that encouraged me that forced me to stop

encouraged me that forced me to stop

encouraged me that forced me to stop waiting for others firstly when I was 10

waiting for others firstly when I was 10

waiting for others firstly when I was 10 years old my dad and I went to the

years old my dad and I went to the

years old my dad and I went to the shopping motor and some errands and it

shopping motor and some errands and it

shopping motor and some errands and it was a casual Sunday he parked his car

was a casual Sunday he parked his car

was a casual Sunday he parked his car and two seconds afterwards a white woman

and two seconds afterwards a white woman

and two seconds afterwards a white woman jumped out of her car and called my dad

jumped out of her car and called my dad

jumped out of her car and called my dad a kafir now Acathla in a South African

a kafir now Acathla in a South African

a kafir now Acathla in a South African context is a very racist word to use

context is a very racist word to use

context is a very racist word to use towards a black person and she called

towards a black person and she called

towards a black person and she called him a kafir or because she felt that she

him a kafir or because she felt that she

him a kafir or because she felt that she was entitled to a parking spot even

was entitled to a parking spot even

was entitled to a parking spot even though he got there first so today I

though he got there first so today I

though he got there first so today I don’t wait we cannot wait today we see

don’t wait we cannot wait today we see

don’t wait we cannot wait today we see videos of police brutality in the States

videos of police brutality in the States

videos of police brutality in the States on black bodies today like many black

on black bodies today like many black

on black bodies today like many black people in the world

people in the world

people in the world I can’t wait because all I want is to be

I can’t wait because all I want is to be

I can’t wait because all I want is to be recognized as a human in a world that

recognized as a human in a world that

recognized as a human in a world that chooses to see me as an animal when I

chooses to see me as an animal when I

chooses to see me as an animal when I was 12 years old I was innocently

was 12 years old I was innocently

was 12 years old I was innocently parading around the grocery store in a

parading around the grocery store in a

parading around the grocery store in a dress my mom got for me and a man gave

dress my mom got for me and a man gave

dress my mom got for me and a man gave me a look that I will never forget it

me a look that I will never forget it

me a look that I will never forget it was a look that sexualized me and at age

was a look that sexualized me and at age

was a look that sexualized me and at age 12 I recognized that look so today I

12 I recognized that look so today I

12 I recognized that look so today I don’t wait we cannot wait we see

don’t wait we cannot wait we see

don’t wait we cannot wait we see statistics of gender-based violence

statistics of gender-based violence

statistics of gender-based violence every single day we’ve got high femicide

every single day we’ve got high femicide

every single day we’ve got high femicide rates in Mexico El Salvador South Africa

rates in Mexico El Salvador South Africa

rates in Mexico El Salvador South Africa India Hong Kong and so many other

India Hong Kong and so many other

India Hong Kong and so many other countries when I was 14 impersonating a

countries when I was 14 impersonating a

countries when I was 14 impersonating a British or American accent was one of my

British or American accent was one of my

British or American accent was one of my favorite things to do it sounds very

favorite things to do it sounds very

favorite things to do it sounds very weird I know and why and it’s because

weird I know and why and it’s because

weird I know and why and it’s because quietly showed me through the media that

quietly showed me through the media that

quietly showed me through the media that being white and American or white and

being white and American or white and

being white and American or white and British was the most amazing

British was the most amazing

British was the most amazing positionality to have and in contrast

positionality to have and in contrast

positionality to have and in contrast being African and black was something to

being African and black was something to

being African and black was something to be ashamed of so today I don’t wait I

be ashamed of so today I don’t wait I

be ashamed of so today I don’t wait I can’t wait and in the two months that

can’t wait and in the two months that

can’t wait and in the two months that I’ve been pursuing my masters in London

I’ve been pursuing my masters in London

I’ve been pursuing my masters in London I have met incredible young Africans and

I have met incredible young Africans and

I have met incredible young Africans and when I share with them my passions for

when I share with them my passions for

when I share with them my passions for Africa’s development they always say to

Africa’s development they always say to

Africa’s development they always say to me

me

me yeah well Africa has many problems I

yeah well Africa has many problems I

yeah well Africa has many problems I don’t have time for that and so I’ve

don’t have time for that and so I’ve

don’t have time for that and so I’ve stopped waiting I can’t wait anymore

stopped waiting I can’t wait anymore

stopped waiting I can’t wait anymore so the question then becomes what does

so the question then becomes what does

so the question then becomes what does it mean to stop waiting what do you do

it mean to stop waiting what do you do

it mean to stop waiting what do you do when you stop waiting what actions do

when you stop waiting what actions do

when you stop waiting what actions do you take and throughout my life again

you take and throughout my life again

you take and throughout my life again I’ve tried so many different things

I’ve tried so many different things

I’ve tried so many different things which I’m very excited to share with you

which I’m very excited to share with you

which I’m very excited to share with you I first went on to Twitter and Twitter

I first went on to Twitter and Twitter

I first went on to Twitter and Twitter is a fantastic platform because you get

is a fantastic platform because you get

is a fantastic platform because you get to write these short comments you get to

to write these short comments you get to

to write these short comments you get to hold leaders accountable you get direct

hold leaders accountable you get direct

hold leaders accountable you get direct access to high-profile individuals to

access to high-profile individuals to

access to high-profile individuals to challenge them on things my friends like

challenge them on things my friends like

challenge them on things my friends like to say yeah you get to slide into

to say yeah you get to slide into

to say yeah you get to slide into people’s DMS you get to act people which

people’s DMS you get to act people which

people’s DMS you get to act people which is fantastic but how effective is

is fantastic but how effective is

is fantastic but how effective is Twitter how effective is it as a

Twitter how effective is it as a

Twitter how effective is it as a platform for social change and I

platform for social change and I

platform for social change and I understand that in some cases campaigns

understand that in some cases campaigns

understand that in some cases campaigns can be super effective and we’ve seen

can be super effective and we’ve seen

can be super effective and we’ve seen the power of hashtags and I get that if

the power of hashtags and I get that if

the power of hashtags and I get that if Twitter is used well and not to spread

Twitter is used well and not to spread

Twitter is used well and not to spread alternative facts something we can teach

alternative facts something we can teach

alternative facts something we can teach our current leaders about if Twitter is

our current leaders about if Twitter is

our current leaders about if Twitter is used well then it can have a great

used well then it can have a great

used well then it can have a great impact but to what extent then I went

impact but to what extent then I went

impact but to what extent then I went onto Facebook and Facebook is awesome

onto Facebook and Facebook is awesome

onto Facebook and Facebook is awesome because anyone who knows me knows that I

because anyone who knows me knows that I

because anyone who knows me knows that I love to write long paragraphs about

love to write long paragraphs about

love to write long paragraphs about things that I’m passionate about so

things that I’m passionate about so

things that I’m passionate about so Facebook allowed me to write

Facebook allowed me to write

Facebook allowed me to write thought-provoking statuses to challenge

thought-provoking statuses to challenge

thought-provoking statuses to challenge my friends and my followers and again I

my friends and my followers and again I

my friends and my followers and again I had to ask myself is this effective then

had to ask myself is this effective then

had to ask myself is this effective then we got facebook of videos where we could

we got facebook of videos where we could

we got facebook of videos where we could share about injustice around the world

share about injustice around the world

share about injustice around the world and change the narrative and that’s cool

and change the narrative and that’s cool

and change the narrative and that’s cool but I asked myself again so you spend

but I asked myself again so you spend

but I asked myself again so you spend two minutes watching a video 30 seconds

two minutes watching a video 30 seconds

two minutes watching a video 30 seconds writing a short summation of the video

writing a short summation of the video

writing a short summation of the video and then you share it but is that impact

and then you share it but is that impact

and then you share it but is that impact how far does sharing an attn video go

how far does sharing an attn video go

how far does sharing an attn video go how many World Economic Forum videos do

how many World Economic Forum videos do

how many World Economic Forum videos do you have to share on your Facebook to

you have to share on your Facebook to

you have to share on your Facebook to properly affect tangible change then I

properly affect tangible change then I

properly affect tangible change then I said okay cool in addition to my

said okay cool in addition to my

said okay cool in addition to my keyboard warrior behavior which is a

keyboard warrior behavior which is a

keyboard warrior behavior which is a term I really love how can we how can I

term I really love how can we how can I

term I really love how can we how can I make tangible change

make tangible change

make tangible change so I decided I’ve got it I’ve got it I’m

so I decided I’ve got it I’ve got it I’m

so I decided I’ve got it I’ve got it I’m gonna work really really hard in

gonna work really really hard in

gonna work really really hard in university so that one day I can be

university so that one day I can be

university so that one day I can be financially stable enough to create some

financially stable enough to create some

financially stable enough to create some cool organization that’s gonna change

cool organization that’s gonna change

cool organization that’s gonna change the world one day and I started asking

the world one day and I started asking

the world one day and I started asking myself again how can I wait for one day

myself again how can I wait for one day

myself again how can I wait for one day in a world that is telling me it needs

in a world that is telling me it needs

in a world that is telling me it needs me now is my degree shaping me to be a

me now is my degree shaping me to be a

me now is my degree shaping me to be a change maker oh is my degree shaping me

change maker oh is my degree shaping me

change maker oh is my degree shaping me so that I can be a great employee for

so that I can be a great employee for

so that I can be a great employee for the top consulting firms and I ask

the top consulting firms and I ask

the top consulting firms and I ask myself this every day as you can see I’m

myself this every day as you can see I’m

myself this every day as you can see I’m a very inquisitive person so my family

a very inquisitive person so my family

a very inquisitive person so my family gets very annoyed but these questions

gets very annoyed but these questions

gets very annoyed but these questions were super important and like so many of

were super important and like so many of

were super important and like so many of you here today I can relate I worked at

you here today I can relate I worked at

you here today I can relate I worked at Deloitte and had a fantastic time there

Deloitte and had a fantastic time there

Deloitte and had a fantastic time there and the whole time I was working there I

and the whole time I was working there I

and the whole time I was working there I asked myself how do I make tangible

asked myself how do I make tangible

asked myself how do I make tangible change how do I do this in addition to

change how do I do this in addition to

change how do I do this in addition to everything else I’m doing at work and

everything else I’m doing at work and

everything else I’m doing at work and these are pertinent questions I then

these are pertinent questions I then

these are pertinent questions I then went on to say cool as a young person

went on to say cool as a young person

went on to say cool as a young person the world is constantly telling me that

the world is constantly telling me that

the world is constantly telling me that you must wait until you’ve got seven

you must wait until you’ve got seven

you must wait until you’ve got seven years of work experience before you can

years of work experience before you can

years of work experience before you can be a change maker the world tells us

be a change maker the world tells us

be a change maker the world tells us that no unless you mature you can’t

that no unless you mature you can’t

that no unless you mature you can’t start a business you need a seven page

start a business you need a seven page

start a business you need a seven page CV before you make tangible change how

CV before you make tangible change how

CV before you make tangible change how do we navigate ages complexities that

do we navigate ages complexities that

do we navigate ages complexities that seem to discourage young people now the

seem to discourage young people now the

seem to discourage young people now the one solution I do have for everyone in

one solution I do have for everyone in

one solution I do have for everyone in this room is pretty simple and it’s not

this room is pretty simple and it’s not

this room is pretty simple and it’s not a solution that’ll be liked by many

a solution that’ll be liked by many

a solution that’ll be liked by many politicians around the world but it’s

politicians around the world but it’s

politicians around the world but it’s one that I’ll gladly share with you we

one that I’ll gladly share with you we

one that I’ll gladly share with you we ignore these discouraging voices and we

ignore these discouraging voices and we

ignore these discouraging voices and we make change anyway

make change anyway

make change anyway ignore the voices that tell you that you

ignore the voices that tell you that you

ignore the voices that tell you that you can’t do things just cause you’re a

can’t do things just cause you’re a

can’t do things just cause you’re a young person and make the change anyway

young person and make the change anyway

young person and make the change anyway we are the ones we have been waiting for

we are the ones we have been waiting for

we are the ones we have been waiting for our world needs us now

our world needs us now

our world needs us now our world does not need us to follow

our world does not need us to follow

our world does not need us to follow this progression and in at some stage

this progression and in at some stage

this progression and in at some stage decide that we’re gonna have impact I

decide that we’re gonna have impact I

decide that we’re gonna have impact I decided from a very young age that I was

decided from a very young age that I was

decided from a very young age that I was not gonna wait until I was 40 to do

not gonna wait until I was 40 to do

not gonna wait until I was 40 to do something cool to do something

something cool to do something

something cool to do something meaningful to change people’s lives the

meaningful to change people’s lives the

meaningful to change people’s lives the one area that I was particularly

one area that I was particularly

one area that I was particularly interested in changing was of the

interested in changing was of the

interested in changing was of the perception of Africa to Africans now

perception of Africa to Africans now

perception of Africa to Africans now what does that mean right so for many of

what does that mean right so for many of

what does that mean right so for many of you here your perception of Africa is so

you here your perception of Africa is so

you here your perception of Africa is so different to mine we’re fed that

different to mine we’re fed that

different to mine we’re fed that Africa’s poor Africa’s corrupt Africa’s

Africa’s poor Africa’s corrupt Africa’s

Africa’s poor Africa’s corrupt Africa’s weak and I smile when I say that it’s

weak and I smile when I say that it’s

weak and I smile when I say that it’s not because I agree but because I find

not because I agree but because I find

not because I agree but because I find it hilarious cuz my vision of Africa is

it hilarious cuz my vision of Africa is

it hilarious cuz my vision of Africa is so different I believe in an empowered

so different I believe in an empowered

so different I believe in an empowered Africa I believe in an Africa that’s got

Africa I believe in an Africa that’s got

Africa I believe in an Africa that’s got potential for growth and I believe that

potential for growth and I believe that

potential for growth and I believe that it was possible and necessary for us as

it was possible and necessary for us as

it was possible and necessary for us as young people to step up and change that

so I had no experience I had fears I had

so I had no experience I had fears I had so much anxiety oh so much anxiety and

so much anxiety oh so much anxiety and

so much anxiety oh so much anxiety and so many doubts but I approached young

so many doubts but I approached young

so many doubts but I approached young people in my community and partnered

people in my community and partnered

people in my community and partnered with them and in particular one of the

with them and in particular one of the

with them and in particular one of the most incredible young people her name is

most incredible young people her name is

most incredible young people her name is Rianne Olivier Narayana and I together

Rianne Olivier Narayana and I together

Rianne Olivier Narayana and I together founded Africa matters Africa matters is

founded Africa matters Africa matters is

founded Africa matters Africa matters is a youth-led organization that is

a youth-led organization that is

a youth-led organization that is dedicated to creating spaces for young

dedicated to creating spaces for young

dedicated to creating spaces for young Africans to be empowered we want young

Africans to be empowered we want young

Africans to be empowered we want young Africans to change the narrative by

Africans to change the narrative by

Africans to change the narrative by reshaping the way we look at Africa by

reshaping the way we look at Africa by

reshaping the way we look at Africa by leading in our societies now and that

leading in our societies now and that

leading in our societies now and that means that we need to become active

means that we need to become active

means that we need to become active citizens we started this in university

citizens we started this in university

citizens we started this in university just two years ago and through our

just two years ago and through our

just two years ago and through our workshops and African feminism’s summits

workshops and African feminism’s summits

workshops and African feminism’s summits on African Leadership School talks on

on African Leadership School talks on

on African Leadership School talks on youth empowerment and great online media

youth empowerment and great online media

youth empowerment and great online media presence in just over two years we’ve

presence in just over two years we’ve

presence in just over two years we’ve managed to

managed to

managed to Packt 15,000 african and diaspora and I

Packt 15,000 african and diaspora and I

Packt 15,000 african and diaspora and I think that’s something and that shows

think that’s something and that shows

think that’s something and that shows you the power of young people who get

you the power of young people who get

you the power of young people who get together to make change a few weeks ago

together to make change a few weeks ago

together to make change a few weeks ago I sat in a lecture a development lecture

I sat in a lecture a development lecture

I sat in a lecture a development lecture a subject I loved and the professor said

a subject I loved and the professor said

a subject I loved and the professor said to the class you know guys from my

to the class you know guys from my

to the class you know guys from my research there’ll be 30 countries in the

research there’ll be 30 countries in the

research there’ll be 30 countries in the world that will always be poor and I

world that will always be poor and I

world that will always be poor and I like oh okay

like oh okay

like oh okay and then he he was asked to give

and then he he was asked to give

and then he he was asked to give examples and he said oh you know Sierra

examples and he said oh you know Sierra

examples and he said oh you know Sierra Leone and those other ones okay so he

Leone and those other ones okay so he

Leone and those other ones okay so he alluded to the fact that so many

alluded to the fact that so many

alluded to the fact that so many countries in Africa would continue to be

countries in Africa would continue to be

countries in Africa would continue to be poor indefinitely

poor indefinitely

poor indefinitely and I felt three emotions then I thought

and I felt three emotions then I thought

and I felt three emotions then I thought anger I felt disappointment and

anger I felt disappointment and

anger I felt disappointment and discouraged I was angry at the colonial

discouraged I was angry at the colonial

discouraged I was angry at the colonial history that a stripped Africa Bay and

history that a stripped Africa Bay and

history that a stripped Africa Bay and left us economically backwards I was

left us economically backwards I was

left us economically backwards I was disappointed at the African leaders who

disappointed at the African leaders who

disappointed at the African leaders who have put forward their own agendas

have put forward their own agendas

have put forward their own agendas rather than the people that voted for

rather than the people that voted for

rather than the people that voted for them and I was discouraged because I

them and I was discouraged because I

them and I was discouraged because I thought to myself if this is what

thought to myself if this is what

thought to myself if this is what statistics say then what is Africa man

statistics say then what is Africa man

statistics say then what is Africa man is even doing can we really make an

is even doing can we really make an

is even doing can we really make an impact are we biting off more than we

impact are we biting off more than we

impact are we biting off more than we can chew

can chew

can chew and so I remembered these words we are

and so I remembered these words we are

and so I remembered these words we are the ones we’ve been waiting for and this

the ones we’ve been waiting for and this

the ones we’ve been waiting for and this sounds very non German I know because he

sounds very non German I know because he

sounds very non German I know because he gave me statistics but I said to him I

gave me statistics but I said to him I

gave me statistics but I said to him I reject your research I adamantly reject

reject your research I adamantly reject

reject your research I adamantly reject your research and I reject that research

your research and I reject that research

your research and I reject that research because I strongly believe in the power

because I strongly believe in the power

because I strongly believe in the power of young people around the world to

of young people around the world to

of young people around the world to change our societies Africa has over 220

change our societies Africa has over 220

change our societies Africa has over 220 million young people between the ages of

million young people between the ages of

million young people between the ages of 15 to 24 now that can either be a burden

15 to 24 now that can either be a burden

15 to 24 now that can either be a burden or an opportunity and I believe that it

or an opportunity and I believe that it

or an opportunity and I believe that it is more of an opportunity young people

is more of an opportunity young people

is more of an opportunity young people today have access to innovative

today have access to innovative

today have access to innovative resources that enable us to make

resources that enable us to make

resources that enable us to make tangible change globalization has

tangible change globalization has

tangible change globalization has completely shaped the way we interact

completely shaped the way we interact

completely shaped the way we interact with

with

with each other globalization allows us to

each other globalization allows us to

each other globalization allows us to share ideas knowledge and solutions I am

share ideas knowledge and solutions I am

share ideas knowledge and solutions I am studying in the UK because of

studying in the UK because of

studying in the UK because of globalization because my aim is to go

globalization because my aim is to go

globalization because my aim is to go back home and be like damn let’s if

back home and be like damn let’s if

back home and be like damn let’s if let’s effect this amazing change

let’s effect this amazing change

let’s effect this amazing change globalization is the reason I’m here

globalization is the reason I’m here

globalization is the reason I’m here today youth youth for advocates gives us

today youth youth for advocates gives us

today youth youth for advocates gives us these stats they say that 238 million

these stats they say that 238 million

these stats they say that 238 million youth live below the poverty line and of

youth live below the poverty line and of

youth live below the poverty line and of all the unemployed people in the world

all the unemployed people in the world

all the unemployed people in the world youth constitute 41% UNESCO goes on to

youth constitute 41% UNESCO goes on to

youth constitute 41% UNESCO goes on to tell us that in 2015 they were 1.2

tell us that in 2015 they were 1.2

tell us that in 2015 they were 1.2 billion youth this means that one in

billion youth this means that one in

billion youth this means that one in every six people on earth was a young

every six people on earth was a young

every six people on earth was a young person now I’d like to believe that all

person now I’d like to believe that all

person now I’d like to believe that all of us in this room have access to

of us in this room have access to

of us in this room have access to resources and opportunities that

resources and opportunities that

resources and opportunities that millions of young people around the

millions of young people around the

millions of young people around the world don’t have and I’m including

world don’t have and I’m including

world don’t have and I’m including myself when I say all of us in this room

myself when I say all of us in this room

myself when I say all of us in this room have these opportunities so what are we

have these opportunities so what are we

have these opportunities so what are we waiting for

waiting for

waiting for why are we content being keyboard

why are we content being keyboard

why are we content being keyboard warriors why have we convinced ourselves

warriors why have we convinced ourselves

warriors why have we convinced ourselves that we can’t do anything in addition to

that we can’t do anything in addition to

that we can’t do anything in addition to studying and I know studying is hard but

studying and I know studying is hard but

studying and I know studying is hard but we’ve got so many hours we can do so

we’ve got so many hours we can do so

we’ve got so many hours we can do so much our world needs us to step up

much our world needs us to step up

much our world needs us to step up society needs us now more than ever

society needs us now more than ever

society needs us now more than ever world leaders are getting younger and

world leaders are getting younger and

world leaders are getting younger and younger and if we are the ones we’ve

younger and if we are the ones we’ve

younger and if we are the ones we’ve been waiting for then we need to put

been waiting for then we need to put

been waiting for then we need to put that into action we all come from

that into action we all come from

that into action we all come from different communities that need some

different communities that need some

different communities that need some form of fixing whether it’s creating an

form of fixing whether it’s creating an

form of fixing whether it’s creating an app that will encourage communities to

app that will encourage communities to

app that will encourage communities to go green or creating platforms for youth

go green or creating platforms for youth

go green or creating platforms for youth engagement in politics or going into

engagement in politics or going into

engagement in politics or going into schools and being a role model for young

schools and being a role model for young

schools and being a role model for young people because that’s the one thing the

people because that’s the one thing the

people because that’s the one thing the world lacks its young role models who

world lacks its young role models who

world lacks its young role models who can cultivate a change in other young

can cultivate a change in other young

can cultivate a change in other young people there’s something that we can all

people there’s something that we can all

people there’s something that we can all do in our societies and the most

do in our societies and the most

do in our societies and the most perception is that

perception is that

perception is that to effect tangible change you need to

to effect tangible change you need to

to effect tangible change you need to start big that doesn’t have to be the

start big that doesn’t have to be the

start big that doesn’t have to be the case Africa Manor started so small we

case Africa Manor started so small we

case Africa Manor started so small we started as an online article sharing

started as an online article sharing

started as an online article sharing shindig and suddenly we grew and we grew

shindig and suddenly we grew and we grew

shindig and suddenly we grew and we grew and grew and this year has been a year

and grew and this year has been a year

and grew and this year has been a year of such success and we hope to grow from

of such success and we hope to grow from

of such success and we hope to grow from success to success the key is that you

success to success the key is that you

success to success the key is that you just need to start team up with young

just need to start team up with young

just need to start team up with young people share your skills share your

people share your skills share your

people share your skills share your passions and then seek wisdom from older

passions and then seek wisdom from older

passions and then seek wisdom from older people because their experiences can

people because their experiences can

people because their experiences can tell you what works what doesn’t work

tell you what works what doesn’t work

tell you what works what doesn’t work can you try this but you be the one

can you try this but you be the one

can you try this but you be the one who’s going to affect that change you be

who’s going to affect that change you be

who’s going to affect that change you be the one who is going to make an impact

the one who is going to make an impact

the one who is going to make an impact in your society I stopped waiting a very

in your society I stopped waiting a very

in your society I stopped waiting a very long time ago

long time ago

long time ago and if we are the ones we’ve been

and if we are the ones we’ve been

and if we are the ones we’ve been waiting for then my final question to

waiting for then my final question to

waiting for then my final question to everyone in this audience today is are

everyone in this audience today is are

everyone in this audience today is are you still waiting thank you

”

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