The organization that agreed to partner with TakingITGlobal and host the workshop in Johannesburg was CIVICUS: A World Alliance for Citizen Participation. CIVICUS is an international NGO that seeks to work with and amplify the voices of citizens around the world for the creation of a more just world.

The school that was approached to identify economically marginalized students for the workshop was the... [ more ] The organization that agreed to partner with TakingITGlobal and host the workshop in Johannesburg was CIVICUS: A World Alliance for Citizen Participation. CIVICUS is an international NGO that seeks to work with and amplify the voices of citizens around the world for the creation of a more just world.

The school that was approached to identify economically marginalized students for the workshop was the Morutathuto Combined School located in Meadowlands, Soweto – the well known township just South of Johannesburg. The school identified 10 youth between the ages of 11 and 14 who were creative and keen to participate in the workshops. The two workshops were held on 8 December 2007 at CIVICUS House, the workshop was facilitated by two people: Joe Cressy (Coordinator), Nina Gorka (Canadian intern).

The discussion of climate change was extremely tough. For example, not a single one of the ten youth could explain the word “climate”. We proceeded to discuss the current South African environment (animals, trees, water) and to explore what would happen if the current environment suddenly changed – by getting hotter, by getting colder, by becoming inconsistent.

As the discussion of culture, conflict and unity proceeded it became very clear that the participants were almost solely interested in focusing on the conflict component of the theme. The discussion subsequently diverged into an overview of conflict in South Africa: conflict between friends, between schools, between communities, between races. The conversation proceeded to consider the causes conflict in South Africa, to which youth gave the answers of: “racism,” “abuse,” “no money,” “anger”.

Once the youth learned the basics of the software the process really began. However, what became very clear was the youth were as interested in learning the software in detail as they were in working on one specific image. This is a positive factor in that the youth were keen to learn the software, but difficult for focusing on one image. The debrief session proved to be quite incredible as the youth explained the reasons behind their artistic creations. It was very evident that the participants enjoyed the experience. Moreover, it was clear that despite limited previous exposure to computers the kids were able to use the software at a basic level to express themselves.

We have made the software available to the participants’ primary school, which is supposed to have their current computers fixed in the early New Year.

Project Participants from Morutathuto Combined School :

Siyabonga Nlhapo (12)
Nhlakanipho Nkabinde (12)
Tebogo Sesoko (11)
Moeketsi Matobako (13)
Thabiso Selaolane (11)
Glen Masela (11)
Bashimane Pooe (12)
Kgotso Moima (12)
Kagontle Pilane (11)
Miranda Kekana (12)


Check out the Global Gallery Collections from the Youth Voices South Africa Project: Climate Change and Culture & Identity!