South African receives international award for social activism
Meet Amonge Sinxoto - a founder, global teen leader, warrior for social change, and all-round inspiration
The world would be nothing without those who are willing to put the needs of others first, those who are looking out for their fellow human beings and those who want to make the world a better and happier place.
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Amonge Sinxoto is one of those people.
Originally from Johannesburg, this young adult is taking the world by storm and people are noticing.
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Amonge is the founder of Blackboard Africa, a registered Non-profit Company (NPC) that she established in 2017 along with fellow youth activist and social entrepreneur Zingisa Socikwa.
The Blackboard challenge is about inspiring and empowering youth creatively through different mediums, in preparation for leadership and complex real-life challenges that are facing Africa and particularly South Africa in this generation. We seek to develop as many young leaders all over South Africa with the purpose of taking ownership of their future. The Blackboard leadership ethos is a Vibrant Conscious Young Voice encouraging all young people to speak freely about their ideas and vision of the future and to actively participate in the building of a Positive African Narrative. Through our programmes, we promote the culture of thinking about solutions that are appropriate for Africa’s problems.
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But that's not the only thing Amonge has been working on.
Others have noticed how she is using her platform and her voice for youth and social change.
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Eco-Age have chosen her to be a part of The Renaissance Awards film and be a recipient of the prestigious Renaissance Award for Socially Just.
This is the first awards movie that celebrate young leaders progressing solutions to create a world that is Socially Just, Economically Inclusive, Environmentally Restorative and Technologically Balanced. The film, set in the iconic Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, uses augmented reality and special effects and is presented by Nile Rodgers, Colin Firth, Gisele Bundchen, Ahad Raza Mir and Annie Lennox and features an exclusive performance by Ben Harper.
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Although it is never truly about the recognition or the praise, it is wonderful to see a bright South African star like Amonge being honoured for her incredible work in such a special way.
I am so honored to be a recipient of this award amongst other incredible young change-makers. This award is an amazing platform to highlight and amplify the work of such young people and I’m so excited to be a part of it. It’s so affirming to know that massive entities are recognizing the importance of the work we are doing by upskilling young Africans. My only hope is that we are able to collaborate further to multiply the impact that programs like these are having on children’s lives.
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