Young Minds: Interview With Neliswa Fente
Youth Village is proud to recognize young people in South Africa. Neliswa Fente is young and passionate about changing the lives of young people in South Africa. We had the opportunity to interview Neliswa on her journey as young leader. She was able to share her aspirations for the future, her achievements and her involvement in shaping the youth.
Who is Neliswa Fente?
I am a deep thinker who really cares about humanity . I am very ambitious and I love learning.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was very vibrant and had many many friends – my father used to say “You have as many friends as the grass in this yard” – I guess I had an attractive energy and people I met always wanted to be around me. I was really curious so I asked lots of questions on meaning of things and also lived with the philosophy of trying everything once that intrigued me.
I was a big dreamer and high achiever, so I was the child that taught the family and friends new things and experiences. I was one of those people that when I wasn’t around people would notice and miss me.
In the year 2011, you represented South Africa in the One Young World Conference which took place in Zurich, how was the experience?
That was one of my defining moments about what I really cared about and what I wanted to do. Being in the same space with Young People from all around the world and being able to connect , made me realise that people are the same wherever you go and that they generally want to same things, the experience left me with great hope for our generation and that we will and are doing things differently to leave this world in a better place than we found it.
The experience also gave me great confidence and belief in myself – as a child growing up in Alexandra township – to confirm that I can compete on a global scale and connect with people on important issues if the world.
It also gave me great perspective on the kind of impact I can create by choosing to go a non conventional route of being an entrepreneur.
How did you feel when you became a South African Spark ChangeMaker for 2013?
I felt honored to have been chosen amongst many people who applied, I was very privileged to be able to take some time out (of the busyness) as an Entrepreneurs and look at my business objectively, be brave enough to make certain changes and learn about building a business that will make a difference to my country.
I was blessed to be amongst other great entrepreneurs who were also in their start up phase and we were all learning about creating sustainable business models.
I was also very proud as I was 2nd Runner up at the elevator pitch. So that proved to me that we were on the right track with SpringAGE.
You were also selected to be part of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community of phenomenal young leaders under the age of 30, how was the feeling?
I am a so honored to be part of this amazing community. Not only is it one of THE GREATEST platforms to be part of but it also is a place where you are surrounded with like minded people and you don’t feel “weird “ about dreaming ridiculously big.
Its been an inspirational journey when we are part of great projects and also see what fellow shapers around the world are creating. Its also very stretching and pushes me to want to do more for my life and have an impact to our continent. It’s a network that opens up doors and opportunities that were once in our wildest dreams but so close to us.
Tell us about Spring Age?
SpringAGE is a youth-led innovation company that I co-founded with my best friend in fact she has passed friendship zone now my sister Raelene Rorke.
We run a youth led innovation process called a SpringBREAK, where we recruit dynamic young people to come up with fresh and truthful insights, solutions for big corporates organisations who have the aim to move our country forward.
Our model is a consultative process with a youthful and dynamic flavour to it. We have worked with corporates like Woolworths, Liberty, SAB etc to help them with new solutions on being more relevant to young people of today.
What do you aim to achieve through it?
The aim of SpringAGE is to ensure that young people are at the heart of coming up with ideas for their future and that we creating a platform where dynamic collaboration is taking place between young people, corporate and government , this in the long run will ultimately create employment opportunities and great value is unlocked when people are working together and co-create new business ideas or projects.
Tell us more about your work as an ambassador and board member for One Young World.
So after One Young World in Zurich, I had the desire to work quite closely with the organisers to ensure that when the conference came to South Africa in 2013 it would be an amazing experience for delegates and ambassadors. And as it would happen, I was chosen to sit on the Board. Our duty was to always have the ambassadors voice during board meetings, we had to assist with bringing on board new sponsor so as to try and include as many young people in South Africa as we could to be part of the conference.
It was one of the most amazing experiences to learn about what goes in to make a successful conference, and one of my most fondest moments where meeting Richard Branson who is one of the people that I deeply admire.
Who inspires you in life?
I am inspired by Michelle Obama…I really just see a little bit of myself in her.
What can we expect from you in the future?
You can look out for SpringAGE foundation which is in the pipeline. New and exciting projects impacting Tswhane through global shapers community. SpringAGE growth in new markets (we are really excited about this)
Anything else is possible as long as I am doing work that I love and my commitment to this continent is solid .
What do you do for fun?
I love spending time with my nephew, he is lots of fun. I love traveling and exploring new places and meeting new people. I love going out with friends for a concert of drinks. Reading a good book has become one of my favourite things to do.
Are you reading a book at the moment? If so, what’s the title?
At the moment I am reading two book.
A return to love by Marriane Williamson and I write what I like by Steve Biko
What’s your advice to young people in South Africa?
There is no such thing as failure, “failure” is just life trying to move us to another direction. Keep going!
