Ubuntu Leaders Academy Ignites Passion for Servant Leadership

A transformative Ubuntu Leaders Academy (ULA) training event, conducted in collaboration with CPUT, recently concluded at the Cape Town Hotel School.

The event brought together 10 leaders comprised of CPUT staff, Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) leaders and community leaders, who were trained as trainers, to impart their newfound knowledge and skills.

The ripple effects of this training are set to extend beyond the campus, with plans to roll out similar programmes, fostering a culture of servant leadership throughout its sphere of influence.

As a unique part of their training, the trainers-in-training also mentored 20 student leaders and leadership fellows associated with the CESA at CPUT. This training was in the form of Ubuntu Week, which was hosted in Worcester. This created a dynamic environment where both seasoned and aspiring leaders could learn and grow together. The motivational speakers at the event were Pastor Clinton Luikes and Nontutuzelo Dyakala from the A2B Centre, and Guinness World Record holder and ten-times medallist for skateboarding, Jean-Marc Johannes.

Jacqui Scheepers, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Manager, shared her thoughts on the training: The impact of the Ubuntu programme on the participants was evident in the sessions, which were interactive and included moments of deep reflection, sharing and compassion for each other’s life journeys. Sessions on bridge building were especially relevant for the work of the staff and students as part of the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units. Thank you IPAV and MIET Africa for supporting the very first ULA in Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa”.

Moses Machipisa, an Ubuntu Master Trainer who led the training, expressed his enthusiasm: "Witnessing the passion and dedication of these future leaders has been truly inspiring. It fills me with hope to know they will carry the Ubuntu philosophy forward, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities and beyond."

The CESA student leaders and academy alumni shared their experiences of ULA: Atlegang Lekabe reflected: “I have learned so many things that I did not know about myself. The importance of self-knowledge, being a servant leader, and ethics of care stood out for me. I will be able to carry that out to society and be able to make an impact, not only to my immediate communities, but to the rest of the people around the country and the world and I hope we are able to grow and make an impact through small steps.”

Another student, Lutendzo Moavi, expressed that: “I gained a lot of knowledge that I will use in the future, which helps me enhance a lot of lives. Attending the programme has been one of the best things that has happened in my life. I have gained more knowledge and learned a lot about myself and what I can change in the world in the spirit of Ubuntu. From today on I will advocate for Ubuntu and wish for everyone to be part of the programme.” Stephanie de Koker, a student assistant in the SLCE Units who participated in Ubuntu Week, said: “What stood out for me was being able to serve others in servant leadership, ethics of care. The progamme gave me more perspective as to how to do this, not just to think about myself or my circumstances but what others go through and how to share the knowledge to make their life a bit better, sharing love and care through ubuntu.”

The Ubuntu Leaders Academy, grounded in the Ubuntu philosophy, cultivates servant leaders. Its curriculum focuses on five key areas: self-knowledge, self-confidence, resilience, empathy, and service. The programme's impact is far-reaching, having involved young leaders from an impressive 183 countries worldwide.

Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za