It was Saturday, August 10, 2024, a day that will forever be etched in my memory. It was the day I experienced the power of being famous, if only for five minutes. I remember a message was posted on our Wosso Fellow WhatsApp group by our Mentor Thabetha on the 29th of July asking if anyone could give a solidarity speech on behalf of Wosso at the SAYof opening ceremony. Without hesitation, I agreed to do it. I didn’t think twice, I just knew I could do it.
I quickly reached out to our mentor, Thabetha, about the speech, and she reassured me that we would work on it in Harare. When we arrived in Harare, we went through our onboarding meeting where we were briefed about Wosso Fellowship and what it is expected of us, and I was excited to finally meet my fellow participants. We were all so eager to meet each other that no one could sit still. Despite the excitement, we struggled to come up with a speech together.
I turned to one of my fellows Lineth asking for assistance with the speech and she was like ”girl I know you can do this at your own, why are you asking for my help” little did she know I was in my blank moments, I quickly went to the other fellow Advocate Ritta, for help, and she pushed me hard to get it done. I was grateful for her support and encouragement. I also realized that my mentor, Thabetha, had faith in me, that’s the reason she did not bother to ask if I got it covered with the speech because ether way, she knew I will get it covered and that gave me even more confidence.
As Saturday morning approached, I started to feel nervous about the speech. But I kept uplifting myself, and my fellow participants offered me their full support. They told me, “You got this!” and that’s exactly what I needed to hear.
When we arrived at the venue, I was taken aback by how packed the room was. I started to panic, while my fellow participants were enjoying the music and dancing. But then, I felt an inner peace wash over me. I knew I had this.
I looked at the program and saw my name listed as a speaker. I couldn’t believe it. I was really doing this!
When the master of ceremony called out my name, I walked onto the stage with boldness. I started to read the audience, familiarizing myself with the faces in front of me.
As the other panelists delivered their speeches, I thought to myself, “If they can do it, so can I.” When the second-last person finished speaking, reality started to sink in. I was next!
I took a deep breath, pulled out my bottle of water to calm my nerves, and began to speak as I began to speak, my voice was shaking at first, but I found my footing. My voice was no longer shaking, and I delivered my speech with boldness and confidence.
When I finished, the audience erupted in applause and cheers. Someone even whispered, “Short and straight to the point. That was the best!”
As I walked off the stage, I was met with congratulations and praise. I then decide to go outside to get some air as I was filled up with mixed emotions as I step out, I was welcomed with warm hugs by the door, everyone was appreciating my speech people wanted to take pictures with me, and I felt like a celebrity. In deep of my thoughts, I was like I had inspired others with my speech, and that feeling was incredible. I made a mark that as a young woman you can do incredible things you just need to step out of comfort zone.
The rest of the summit, I walked around with a newfound sense of confidence. I knew who I was, and I knew what I was capable of. Among the many these are the well-known people I shared the stage with:
- African Union Remarks: Ms. Prudence Nonkululeko Ngwenya, Director, Women, Gender,
and Youth Directorate. - International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe Chief of Mission ai Dyane Epstein.
- Hon. Neema Lugangira (United Republic of Tanzania Member of Parliament) and Mentor to the Southern Africa Youth Parliament.
- Mr Edson Fana (Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education-Zimbabwe)
- US Ambassador to Zimbabwe – H.E Pamela M. Tremont
- Chargée d’affaires European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe – Ms. Lourdes CHAMORRO
- Dr. Johansein Rataihwa – SADC Secretariat
- Hon. Stanley Sakupwanya-Youth Parliamentary Caucus Chair (Parliament of Zimbabwe)
- His Worship Mayor of Harare -Jacob Mafume
- Guest of Honour: Keynote Address H.E Boemo Ndu Sekgoma: SADC-PF and Youth Patron
My takeaway from this experience is that you should never underestimate yourself and be afraid to grab opportunities. You never know where those “five minutes” might take you.
By Khensani Shivambu-Mabasa, WOSSO Fellow