Rationale: - The constitution of South Africa guarantees the fundamental rights to equality to all its citizens. In order for this right to be enjoyed by all, deliberate and innovate measures need to be in place to ensure that equality is not only an ideal espoused in the constitution but is a reality experienced by all.
- After 15 years, South Africa stands at the crossroads and faces critical social and economic challenges…… any suggestion that a solution lies in hands of the State is both misplaced and a recipe for disaster. A healthy democracy and strong socio-economic development requires a healthy interface between an effective state and an alert and active citizenry – DINOKENG SCENARIOS
- The constitution of South Africa is a charter for the transformation of our country into one that is truly shared by all – a country which in the fullest sense belongs to all of us, black and white - NELSON MANDELA
- Psychologists and criminologists have reported compelling evidence to show that South African youth has NOT been equipped by society to function effectively in a post Mandela rainbow nation. Evaluations recommend that among several preventative issues there is an urgent need to equip pre-teens with psychological and behavioral competencies. - HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL (HSRC)
- SA children are increasingly exposed to a mounting resurgence of prejudice, racism, xenophobia and violence in all contexts of their lives. This in turn manifests into interpersonal and group prejudice, intolerance, violence and general antisocial conduct. The systemic nature of these social challenges needs to be confronted over a broad range of activities to include the participation of the family and community members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Umthombo Wesizwe Childrens Organisation has responded to these needs. It has created a unique model designed to provide knowledge, life skills and tools known as Cultural Diversity intelligence ( CDI -) to pre-teen children from socially different environments to assume positions of ethical leadership within our multicultural society (See CDI diagram below) The first phase of the selection criteria focus on those children who have expressed an interest in becoming leaders within their peer and community groups. Having participated in the UW programme these children are encouraged and supported to create “circles of influence” among other children. The Umthombo Wesizwe CDI delivery model incorporates local and international training tools designed specifically for children. It targets 11- 12 year old children, an age when they are in the pivotal process of identity formation; and where the potential ability to understand abstract / theoretical concepts and retain these as a cornerstone of the self is most pronounced. It centers on fostering a preadolescent identity that is both culturally attuned, embracing of diversity and ethically sensitive; the core qualities of an ‘individual within the group’ style of leadership.
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