According to the African Union’s Youth Charter young people between the ages of 15 and 35 make up more than 35% of Africa’s total population.

In countries such as Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa young people are rising through the ranks of government, and making history.

These young role models give hope and encouragement, especially young women taking the lead and setting the example.

Home-grown leader

One such an example is North-West University (NWU) Alumna Ntsetsao Viola Motsumi, deputy speaker of the North West legislature, who serves as the youngest deputy speaker in the country and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Born in the village Madibe A Makgabana, Viola matriculated in 2001 from Mmabatho High School and furthered her studies at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus. Here she obtained a BSc degree in physics in 2006, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in 2007, and a BScHons degree in microbiology in 2011. This year she added an MBA degree to her list of academic accomplishments.

Prior to assuming her role as deputy speaker, Viola was a teacher at Mmabatho High School from 2008 until 2015, when she was appointed by the North West Development Corporation as a project manager. A year later she joined the Department of Education, Sport and Recreation as parliamentary liaison officer.

Viola is proud of her hard work and takes being a role model seriously. “Creating a space for women’s voices to be heard is key, since they have been overlooked and silenced historically,” she says.

“Women often have to work much harder than their male counterparts to be recognised. Being a community leader takes incredible determination and resilience, and being elected a deputy speaker proves to young girls out there that we can write our own story and be successful.”

Honourable Viola Motsumi, deputy speaker of the North West Provincial legislature.