“I am because you are,” the African philosopher, JS Mbiti’s, famous phrase sums up the essence of Ubuntu. On 14 and 15 June, the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia buzzed with the spirit of unity as the FutureLife-Now! Programme hosted transformative training sessions run by the Ubuntu Leaders Academy.
With sessions facilitated by FutureLife-Now!’s Aussie Ndlovu (youth development officer) and Charity Banda (education coordinator), the event gathered participants from various backgrounds, including secondary school students, educators and heads of governmental bodies, to explore the core components of Ubuntu. The facilitators took participants on a journey, starting with self-knowledge, then guiding them through introspective exercises to uncover their strengths and areas for growth. As Sarah Masitaki, a FutureLife-Now! youth facilitator, observed, “This training has helped me understand myself better, which is the first step to becoming a better leader.”
Inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, “Everything seems impossible until it’s done,” the training then shifted towards building self-confidence, with participants embracing their potential through interactive sessions. “The sessions were empowering. I feel more confident in my abilities.” These words of Exilda Gondwe, FutureLife-Now focal point person and government leader, summed up the group’s experience.
Another key theme was “resilience”. Inspired by CS Lewis’s insight that “hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny,” participants were urged to transform challenges into growth opportunities. “I now see challenges as opportunities to grow,” Thandiwe Banda, a Grade 12 Pupil from Kabulonga Girls Secondary School commented.
The facilitators emphasised two other critical elements for successful living: empathy and service. The former fosters deeper connections and understanding: “Understanding others’ perspectives has been a game-changer for me,” noted Charity Nyambe, a FutureLife-Now youth facilitator. Service, on the other hand, inspires participants to “servant leadership”. “I am motivated to serve my community with renewed vigour,” said Lillian Nyirenda, an educator from Kabulonga Girls Secondary School.
The Ubuntu training at the Confucius Institute was a journey of personal and communal transformation. Participants left with renewed spirits, ready to embrace their roles as leaders and advocates for a more interconnected and compassionate world.
The effect the sessions had on the participants is summed up well by the two facilitators:
The energy and commitment of these leaders are truly inspiring. – Aussie Ndlovu
Witnessing their growth over these two days has been incredibly rewarding. – Charity Banda
