October: Unathi Dikani (13 BRAVO)

My name is Unathi Dikani, a graduate of the Chrysalis Academy. I started volunteering in my community, after my matric in 2012, at an Organisation called Yabonga HIV/AIDS. At Yabonga, we assisted young people with life skills and information on HIV/AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health. I was then afforded an opportunity to form part of the Canada Exchange programme, which I joined in August of 2012. In December that same year, I went to Juaso and Accra in Ghana, where I worked with youth-in-school, facilitating programmes on HIV/AIDS and our South African Culture. I came back to South Africa in March 2013, when I applied to the Chrysalis Academy.

I was called for an interview in June 2013 and was invited to join the Chrysalis Academy as a student in September that year. During my time at the Academy, I developed my interest in Youth and Community Development. After graduating from the 3-months programme, I was placed on the EPWP internship as an Administrator at the Department of Community Safety, and ten months later, moved to Johannesburg, where I got my first stage performance as an actor, in a stage play called Tembisa Church. It was amazing!

The Chrysalis outdoor programme sparked my awareness and love for nature, so I applied for a position as a Wilderness facilitator at Educo Africa in 2016.  In 2017, I spent a month in Germany on programmes ranging from International Wilderness Rites of Passage, to a musical exchange programme in Chemnitz.

In 2018, as an unemployed young woman, I again volunteered my services in various capacities such as the Chairperson on the Community Advisory Board at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation; an activist for the LGBTIQ rights with the Triangle Project as well as with the Philippi Umbrella LGBTIQ as a secretary.

My former employer approached me and asked me to apply for a position on the Project 90by2030 as a facilitator; my application was successful and I did awareness on Climate Change and general wilderness matters. It was so interesting that the skills learnt at the Chrysalis Academy could be applied throughout my time as a Youth Development Practitioner professionally and voluntarily. The opportunity to help youth achieve their President’s Award Certificate was also so meaningful.

Towards the end of 2019, I was a volunteer Youth Hub Ambassador for the Chrysalis Academy, in my community. Today, I am employed by the Chrysalis Academy in the position of a Youth Hub Ambassador in the Philippi Policing Areas.  I am very excited to apply all my skills in the interest of my community.

As the COVID-19 virus is still a challenge, I wish to encourage all youth to wear a mask, sanitize, and to remember that physical distancing is important.