The theme for Youth Month 2023 is: “Accelerating collaborations and opportunities to improve the lives of the youth.”
At the North-West University (NWU), our students have boundless opportunities to explore beyond what is expected of them. This gives them the chance to become the leaders their community needs, and the leadership skills they develop help them soar beyond their academic journey!
Join us in celebrating Youth Month by recognising the student leaders who are shaping the future of our university and the world.
Becoming an NWU student leader was a journey of inspiration and growth for Yikumba Andreas. It all began when he attended the first-year prestige camp hosted by the SCC: Sports Officer and was exposed to various leadership structures within the university and learned about their roles. This experience ignited his interest in student leadership.
“In 2019, I served on the junior subcommittee of SCC: Sports and Recreation and was later elected to the SCC: Sports and Recreation Executive Committee with the portfolio of Rugby. In the following term, I joined the House Committee of Over De Voor Men’s Residence, responsible for Big Sports. Motivated by my experiences, I decided to run for the Students’ Campus Council and was elected for the term 2021/2022. At the end of that term, I took a leap of faith and ran for Students’ Campus Council Chairperson on the Potchefstroom Campus for the term 2022/2023.”
Yikumba embarked on this journey because he wanted to be a voice for students who felt unheard or were struggling to make themselves heard. “My goal was to represent all students and ensure that student life would be a shared experience for those residing on and off campus.”
The SCC has provided a platform for private students to participate in activities, making student life inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
The youth, Yikumba believes, plays a crucial role in shaping the future of South Africa, especially in these ever-changing times. “Currently, we raise our voices to address concerns that negatively affect the youth. However, we can be even more proactive in shaping the future. We can lead revolutions to combat corruption and start businesses to address the rampant unemployment, which affects approximately 4.9 million young people. By creating job opportunities through entrepreneurship, we can tackle unemployment head-on.”
Being in a leadership position at North-West University has given him the opportunity to address the challenges that matter most to young people. The SCC strives to make students’ voices a priority and uphold the university’s ethos of care.
To his fellow #NWUEagles who are interested in becoming student leaders and making a difference in their communities, Yikumba offers some advice. “Stay committed to the struggles faced by students and approach them with genuine passion. Be truthful and avoid promises that are beyond your control. Focus on what you can do as a student leader and ensure people understand your role. Remember, you don’t have to resort to drastic measures to be heard; rather, engage in boardroom debates and negotiations with management to find win-win solutions and resolve issues.”
Vusi Thembekwayo, a leader in venture capital and a renowned global speaker, stands out as Yikumba’s role model. He admires Vusi’s ability to stand up for his beliefs and to inspire others.
Throughout his time as a student leader, the most significant lesson Yikumba’s learned is the danger of a one-sided story. “Before taking any drastic actions, always strive to understand both sides of the story. Avoid jumping to conclusions and make informed decisions that consider multiple perspectives. This lesson has helped me approach challenges with a fair and balanced mindset.”
Happy Youth Month, #NWUEagles!
#MyNWU