Southwestern Township, better known as SOWETO, is located within the City of Johannesburg Metro, and owns an undeniable place in the political history of South Africa. Soweto is where the 1976 Soweto Rebellion began its juggernaut push against Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in Soweto’s High Schools, to Zulu and Xhosa children. Haunting images of Zolile Hector Peterson, remain engraved and venerated in our minds.

Yet in SOWETO, an undimmable joie de vivre pulsates in the historic pain and triumph, including a celebration of music and culture, beautifully chronicled in the song Soweto Blues by Hugh Masekela, and sung by Miriam Makeba. 

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Off to a roaring start with belly laughs, Ruth and Wazana plunge into the conversation with zest, by celebrating Pan Africanism as well as the passion and resilience of being an African, that she is quick to state is embodied in her parents. 

That Wazana values collaborative effort to keep the balance between people and the environment is immediately evident and is clear that it’s up to humans to take hold of this responsibility. As an inductee into the Institute of Afrikology, which is focused on informing young children and the youth on African cultural approaches to living, giving dignity to indigenous food choices, and sustainable land use, Wazana believes in 

Born of South African and Jamaican heritage, Wazana is clear about the importance of healthy curiosity about people and places. With wisdom beyond her years, she eloquently refers to the aspect of being “a stranger to oneself, when in a new environment” and so the importance of being open to learning. This may require learning new languages or at the very least, to enquire how one can contribute to their new community. This is why Wazana celebrates having been coached on Adaptive Capacity.

Wazana outlines that the calibration that takes place within the unique skill set of Adaptive Capacity strongly mitigates the impact of any vulnerability one may experience. Taking stock of the positives that one may encounter or innately have is the surest path to Adaptive Capacity. This in turn creates mental and emotional resilience. As a young person, Wazana emphasises how vital this skill is to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

With this thinking in mind, after graduating from the University of Cape Town, Wazana was certain of the value in going back to her home community in KwaZulu-Natal and applying what she had learned. The result has been her leveraged status amongst the youth in her community, who look up to her and apply her ideas. In return, for Wazana, the rewards have been a sense of deep rooting to her community. This has amplified her desire to actively engage and build processes that support sustainable approaches ranging from farming, supporting entrepreneurship and advocating for inclusion of green solutions to constant development in the area.

Twendeni, Africa is Ready!

Connect with Wazana on LinkedIn: Wazana Moncho-Ngidi | LinkedIn

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