Can you tell me about your project related to education? What was its main goal?
My primary focus is looking at the nexus between Higher Educational Institutions and the SDGs. What role does teaching and research plays in achieving SDG 4. I also think explore emerging trends in the education industry and analyse it. My recent interest is on the nexus between SDG 4 and SDG 16 and how it can be seen as catalyst for innovation and development.
My project “Connecting the Dots” is a self funded project with support from University of Stellenbosch and UNESCO Chairs looking at how can we promote sustainable development education through curriculum development and design as well as community integration. Exploring what is required to ensure we leave no-one behind and that we provide the access to educational resources to those in vulnerable communities and life threatening conditions such as conflict zones.
I have used this project to work with students from Universities of Stellenbosch, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Witwatersrand, where we work on national projects such as the SDG Challenge, I believe that the SDGs weren’t designed to be achieved in isolation but rather through and integrated approaches and strategies. By connecting the dots from communities, educational institutions, governments and the private sector.
What motivated you to focus on this particular education issue for your project?
The world is evolving and becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Not everyone is fortunate enough to receive the opportunities that many of us take for granted. I was grateful to be given the chance to share what I'd been given with others who weren't so fortunate. Gender equality is a major factor in this disparity, particularly in education. Girls' education is often overlooked, a problem that my mother also faced. I wanted to prove its vital importance and create an impact to ensure that this inequity wouldn't continue.
Can you share some of the activities or actions you took as part of your project?
We had the honour this year to participate in the High Level Political Forum and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative Forum where we did discuss the imperative role of higher education in promoting peace and development. I also was able to present at the UNESCO and African Union Conference on Transforming Education for Africa’s Future, where we unpacked the role of students in producing knowledge that is Afrocentric , so that the next generations can learn about their own history through the lenses of their predecessors.
I think it is important that when we enter these spaces that we forever think about what we inherited from the past and ask ourselves will this benefit the future generations, and if the answer is yes then great but if not, we must re-strategise our efforts so that it can align.
How did you and your team work together to make your project successful?
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Did you face any challenges while working on your project? How did you overcome them?
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What do you think was the most important thing you learned from working on this project?
What I have learned from this project that we need to mobilise more, the people who knows what the SDGs stands for is a very small population and I order for us to be successful in our mission as torchbearers we need to come together and capacitate the masses.
The SDGs is a roadmap to a world where everyone has access to quality, affordable and equitable education. Where education and civilians is not a target in conflict zones. Will we get it all probably not but our failure to try and our failure to press ahead is what we will be condemned for. I have learned that together without the need for recognition we can achieve so much more.
Can you describe any positive changes or improvements you observed as a result of your project?
The enormous amount of young people who have contacted me , and the golden threat or question was “How do I get involved” and that’s to me is the magic question to hear that young people not only want to invest their time into driving meaningful change but make the world they live in and of which their brother and sister will inherit a better place and I say to that is the ultimate cherry on top for the work that I do, to inspire and impact every person that I encounter.
Education shouldn’t be regarded as a privilege it’s is our basic human right and that dignity should be upheld and the more people we get on that bandwagon the more successful we will be.
Did you receive any feedback from your classmates, teachers, or community members about your project? If so, what was it?
The feedback has been really positive, I remember I received a text message from one of our professors who have witness my project “This is has been a remarkable project, I hope that this could be big and we should have more universities onboard” and that to me was a sign that there is potential for this initiatives to grow and be supported. I am positive that we will have a very successful 2025.
How do you feel your project has contributed to promoting education and learning among your peers or in your community?
Connecting the Dots has contributed to promoting education and learning by creating a collaborative platform that bridges the gap between higher education institutions, communities, and other key stakeholders in sustainable development. By working with students from diverse universities, the project has fostered peer learning and inspired innovative approaches to addressing the challenges of achieving SDG 4 and SDG 16. It has prioritized inclusivity by focusing on vulnerable communities and conflict zones, ensuring access to educational resources and emphasizing the importance of leaving no one behind. Through initiatives like the SDG Challenge, participants have been able to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions, while the project’s integrated approach has highlighted the interconnectedness of the SDGs. By engaging communities, governments, and the private sector, the project has encouraged systems thinking and collective action, demonstrating the transformative power of education as a catalyst for innovation and development.
What are your plans or ideas for continuing to work on education-related issues in the future?
In the future, I plan to build on the foundations laid by Connecting the Dots to further integrate education with sustainable development. My focus will remain on leveraging the potential of Higher Education Institutions to drive innovation and address systemic challenges, particularly through research and curriculum development that aligns with the SDGs. I aim to deepen my exploration of the nexus between SDG 4 and SDG 16, identifying how inclusive, equitable education and strong institutions can create pathways for peace, resilience, and development.
Additionally, I aspire to scale the project by expanding collaborations with international universities, development agencies, and the private sector to create a global network of changemakers. A key priority will be ensuring that education remains accessible to marginalized communities, including those in conflict-affected areas, by advocating for policies and designing programs that address the unique barriers they face. I also intend to explore emerging trends in the education sector, such as digital learning and AI-driven tools, to innovate how knowledge is delivered and accessed, ultimately driving forward inclusive, transformative education solutions.
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