Student leaders gather for conference on leadership
September 14, 2012 
4 Comments
Hundreds of young Stellenbosch University leaders gathered at the DF Malan Memorial Centre on Friday (14 September) for the start of the 4thannual Stellenbosch Leaders Conference.
Phillip Likando, Gershwin Hamunyela, Hans Matras, Teuya Njoba and Hage Iyambo of the Namibian Society of Stellenbosch attended the conference. (Photos: Pia Nänny)
Before they set off to different tailor-made workshops, they were welcomed by Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-rector: Learning and Teaching, and Clinton du Preez, chair of the Student Representative Council (SRC).
They were then challenged by plenary speaker Prof Greg Ricks, emeritus Dean of Students at Stanford University in the USA, to use this opportunity to become true leaders. Ricks has been involved in the training of student leaders at Stellenbosch University (SU) since 2006.
“I believe young people can lead today. Why wait until tomorrow?” he asked.
Prof Greg Ricks, Victoria van der Schyff (Tygerberg Student Council and Osler Tygerberg PSO – primaria) and Jandri Conradie (also from Tygerberg).
While tweets from students attending the conference were broadcast on two screens, Ricks asked the young leaders to stand up if:
- They believe that leadership development is important;
- They believe that Stellenbosch University’s greatest resource is its people;
- They are committed to form relationships with people before they judge them;
- They believe that a person’s actions and words are more important that the colour of his/her skin;
- They believe that leadership is service to others;
- They believe that community service is the rent we pay to be citizens of this world;
- The entrepreneurial spirit is alive in them;
- If they are idealists.
“New leadership is bold and it is courageous,” he told them. He challenged them to ask: Why not now? Why not me?
“The diverse SU you attend today, is a greater university than the SU your parents attended, or your grandparents, and your grandchildren will say the same. One day they will ask you: Were you one of those young leaders who had the guts to make a difference? Get on the side of idealism. Truly believe you can do it.”
Du Preez also challenged the students to play their part in making SU and South Africa great.
“You don’t want to look back in 20 years’ time and realise that you weren’t part of the change,” he said.
Monitors from Huis ten Bosch: Scherlize Hayes, Amoré Roux, Bianca Schlosz, Amy Sands, Gianna Cicione and Elizabeth Mathewson.
Prof Schoonwinkel encouraged the students to look beyond their term. He wished them good luck and gave them five quotes to consider:
- “A leader who develops people, add. A leader who develops leaders, multiply.”
- “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”
- “To achieve success is important, but to prepare is more important.”
- “If some wants to be first, then he has to be last – a servant.”
- “True leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.”
The conference, drawing to a close on Sunday (16 September) included topics such as: Social Media and Campus media; Creative Tools for Problem Solving; Being Efficient and Effective in Different Communication Styles; Introduction to Budgeting and Creatively Working within the University Structures. It was hosted by the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development.
Dr Leslie van Rooi, head of the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute, said this year Leaders’ Conference shifted gears as it focussed more on equipping the elected student leaders with soft skills that will aid them in fulfilling their various representative and leadership roles on campus.
“Students weren’t only trained but inspired to be agents of change both on and off campus,” he said.
Thanks to all involved with this conference. What an awesome way to start for our 2012/2013 Leaders. I can only imagine the ripple effect the greater campus will experience in the wake of such an inspiring conference. The revolution has begun and its led by our own students. Our leaders are beginning to realize their true potential.#shift
True leaders are ordinary people with extraodinary deternination by Greg Ricks the best speaker i wont mind lessoning to for the who day perhaps the whole conference if possible.Life is not about finding yourself its about creating yourself.Thanks to the FVZS for the inspiring motivating and renewing conference it was actually a boom i must say.Lot of love to Stellen
A truly inspirational weekend. I believe the conversations on Stellenbosch campus are changing and we are witnessing a new era in student leadership. It is an exciting part of Stellenbosch University history to be a part of. Shift is happening!
Thank you to the FVZS Institute for a phenomenal weekend of inspiration and motivation to further our leadership courses. Also, the links made and networks gained are invaluable. What a WEEKEND! The SHIFT is on!!!