Page 65 - Start Up_Genesis
P. 65
failure of our formal education in many aspects of life that women are incapable of
systems to raise the leaders our include information and providing quality leadership.
societies require to shift the telecommunications, sustainable The problem is that Africa
African continent from misery living and education, to mention has not sufficiently tapped
and poverty to sustainable a few. What is being obtained into the phenomenal energies,
development. elsewhere in the world can be resilience, creativity, and
These realities inspired five encouraged and achieved in survival instincts of women
Zambian citizens to establish Zambia. for the benefit of the entire
Impact Hub Lusaka which is a society. It is society’s obligation
platform for entrepreneurs and • To nurture young women to establish institutions,
social innovators. They did so leaders processes and systems through
to contribute towards building which young women can
responsible leaders shaped by Great societies have been built convert this dynamism into
characteristics such as integrity up on great values that are something positive for the
and honesty. Impact Hub has shared and passed on from world. Of course, there are
positioned itself as a container one generation to the next. laudable efforts that, over the
for developing leaders needed Values of courage, authenticity, years, have been expended by
to transform our country while service, truth-telling, love organisations such as NGO-
safeguarding our environment, and effectiveness need to be CC, National Women’s Lobby
people and promoting learned and practiced. African Group, and the Young Women
sustainable businesses. society must begin to define the Christian Association, among
Based in Lusaka’s Jesmodine values that not only describe many others. However, these
area, Impact Hub is now who its people are but also the organisations would be the first
hosting different leadership aspirations of the continent. to acknowledge that more effort
conversations focusing on the Some people say, “Ethics is in the needs to be made.
‘hot issues’ happening in the city mother’s milk” to explain how
and the country at large. In the critical women are to shaping • To facilitate that young
last few months of operating the values that children and leaders discover and live their
after officially launching, the later, society have. Given their potential in being innovative
hub has conducted leadership rightful space in organisations and creative leaders and
training to academic, business, and society, women will bring entrepreneurs
religious and community their own approach to how
leaders. leadership is practiced. Zambia’s The future of Zambia depends
Impact Hub Lusaka offers independence is replete with on the kind of leaders the
leadership services based on the stories of the special roles, country raises. This is more
following three propositions: techniques and strategies that than simply a cliché. The effort
women freedom fighters used to invest in and raise leaders
• To overcome the myth that to contribute to the country’s who see themselves as change
young people are future leaders independence. This learning agents and pioneers for their
program will ensure that at society and organisations will
Young people should be leaders least 50% of participants are pay dividends.
now. World-over, there are emerging female leaders.
numerous examples of young
people providing leadership The problem is not that young
62