Volunteering is a noble endeavour that offers immense rewards.

I am passionate about dedicating my time and talents to endeavours that foster positive change in our communities, particularly for our youth! Immersing myself in these meaningful activities not only enables me to contribute to transformative projects but also fills my life with rich, invaluable experiences and the opportunity to develop new skills. There’s something profoundly satisfying about using my knowledge and abilities to uplift others. Although the journey of volunteering can present its challenges, the rewards are immeasurable and deeply fulfilling!

I recently volunteered at the KwaSizabantu Youth Conference, which took place from July 3 to 9 in KwaZulu-Natal, near Kranskop. This is my sixth time volunteering at this conference, and since KwaSizabantu marked a remarkable milestone by celebrating its 102nd conference, I couldn't miss this opportunity.  There is a great deal of work to be done, as on average, between 4,000 and 6,000 young people typically attend these conferences. This time, over 7,000 registered for the conference, and on Sunday, the locals usually join; this time, over 10,000 attended. The overflow was accommodated in a massive tent behind the auditorium, where the guests could watch the service on a wide screen.

The biannual KwaSizabantu Youth Conference is a place where young people can learn, grow, and have uplifting experiences.  This conference is a sustainable event, having hosted 102 conferences since its inception more than 50 years ago, in 1974. The conference is an effective means of engaging young people, giving them a positive sense of self, teaching them self-control and decision-making skills, providing them with prosocial connections, and enriching their lives with a moral system of belief.

The collaboration between various organisations to identify participants backs the KwaSizabantu Youth Conference. Those who are unable to attend the conference can tune into Radio Kwezi, the Mission’s radio station, or use the streaming platform on its website, where all daily services are broadcast in isiZulu, English, German, French, Sesotho, and Portuguese. Three sessions are held daily, excluding Sundays, with only one session per day.

The logistics of the youth conference are enormous. A week in advance, buses depart from Kranskop and travel across South Africa, often also to neighbouring countries, to pick up the thousands of young people at their various destinations. They come from all walks of life, and after the conference, they are returned to their pick-up venues.

The facilities of the Servite Domino School of the Mission are converted into dormitories for the girls, and the hostel on the mission is converted into dormitories for the boys. The entire community does what they can to clean, fix, and prepare to receive the young group when the buses start arriving like snakes. The personal belongings of the young people are stored in special facilities for security purposes, and they are given access to them under the strict control of adults.

Accommodating, feeding, and keeping thousands of young people busy for a week without any serious incident is a scary idea for most of us. At KwaSizabantu, the preparation and events run smoothly, and for every incident, there is an immediate outcome or solution – event management par excellence! 

The good part is that the youth conference is free for participants because it's sponsored by the Mission and its business partner, aQuellé (a bottled water brand), in its entirety.

The youngsters also take part in a sports day. The sports activities are designed to accommodate everyone, including those with no specific sports talent. The activities include competition-friendly games where participants are rewarded for their performance and participation in the events. If anyone is interested in participating next time, information is available on the website: https://www.ksb.org.za/.

Young people comprise a significant portion of South African communities. The younger they start thinking about the future and preparing themselves effectively, the more successful they will be. It is an excellent idea to teach young people practical skills that enable them to help themselves and give them hope for a better future. The greatest joy of volunteering at an event like this one comes from knowing that I’m making a difference in someone else's life. After all, we’re here to create a better world together, and I’m excited to be a part of that journey!

To learn more about the KwaSizabantu youth conference, watch the video: https://youtu.be/avgZcSqB3J4?feature=shared.