Young African politicians aren’t foreign to Africa. Having young leadership has defined the African leadership space since colonial times. Today’s most old leaders started as young boisterous political leaders, from young Obafemi Awolowo, Yakubu Gowon, Thomas Sankara, Mobutu Sese Seko, and Kwame Nkrumah.
As these once young leaders have aged, they have continued to dominate the political arena. A new crop of vibrant young African politicians is changing their world. As the leaders before them, they question what changes these leaders have made. As they did, they too will not succumb to intimidation. Below are the new crop of these formidable African daughters and sons making waves in the political space and gaining global recognition? Hopefully, they will inspire more youth, and there will be smoother transitions as new generations take their place.
Abiy Ahmed
Abiy Ahmed is currently the Ethiopian Prime Minister, the 15th to occupy the seat. He was born on August 15th 1976 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 at 43 his contribution to border conflict resolution and international peace.
Before becoming the Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed was an army intelligence officer. He was later a member of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) before his 2015 appointment as the Minister of Science and Technology.
Rania Al-Mashat
She is currently the Minister of Tourism in Egypt and once an IMF economist when she was just 25 years old. She equally served as the Monetary Policy Department head and sub-governor of the Ethiopian Central Bank.
Before becoming the IMF Chief Economist, she was instrumental in developing and presenting the Egyptian government’s economic program. Her position as Minister of Tourism contributes to bridging the gender divide in the cabinet.
Bobi Wine
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, is one of today’s blossoming young African politicians and was born on February 12th 1982. After making a name for himself in the Ugandan music industry, he decided to venture into politics in 2017.
Robert ran for his local constituency Parliamentary election when he was 35 years old. His campaign style was unique and successful. Bobi Wine went from door to door to enlighten the people about why they should vote for him.
He emerged victorious against the National Resistance Movement’s veteran candidates and Forum for Democratic Change. He got a mention on the Time 100 Next list and earned the honour of Male Politician of the Year from the Daily Monitor.
Kamissa Camara
Kamissa Camara was once an employee of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and was in charge of the electoral processes that brought Ibrahim Boubacar Keita as Mali’s president in 2013. She equally served at PartnersGlobal as the Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and was a Centre for African Studies member.
Kamissa Camara is the current Minister of Digital Economy and Planning in Mali. She is just 36 years old and was previously the diplomatic advisor to Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the country’s former president. She later got an appointment as the Minister for Foreign Affairs before occupying her current position. Camara is the youngest person to occupy any ministerial post in Mali.
Chike Ukaegbu
At 35, Chike Ukaegbu already bagged two Ivy League degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University. He declared his intention to run for the office of Nigeria president in 2018, making him one of the 72 candidates that contested the 2019 presidential election. The incumbent, however, won that election.
Be that as it may, Chike Ukaegbu will still be the flag bearer for his political party, Nigeria’s Advanced Allied Party (AAP), at the presidential election in 2023.
Saidy Brown
Saidy Brown is just a 24-year-old lady from South Africa. She is an activist for People Living with AIDS and uses social media to make a case for HIV-positive individuals. Her advocacy against HIV stigmatization receives global applause.
Saidy Brown was born with HIV, which unfortunately claimed her parents’ lives. She, therefore, became an orphan at the tender age of 10 and preferred to call herself HIVictor.
Julius Malema
The list of young African politicians changing the world cannot be complete without Julius Malema. He became so popular and influential that he caught the attention of former South African President Jacob Zuma, who declared him as a future leader of South Africa.
Julius Malema led the Youth League of the ANC until 2013. The party’s youth wing is robust and highly influential in South African politics. Julius’ role in the election that brought in Jacob Zuma as president in 2009 was phenomenal.
While his influence is beyond doubt, he is a divisive individual and stirs controversies via racial slurs and inflammatory rhetoric. He had been a member of the South African National Assembly since 2014.
Fred Swaniker
Fred Swaniker is a Ghanaian business consultant and entrepreneur. He is equally the founder of African Leadership Academy, a globally acclaimed secondary school in South Africa. The school focuses on recruiting outstanding individuals from different parts of Africa to prepare them for future political leadership.
Fred Swaniker was born in 1976 and is undoubtedly an influential figure in South Africa and Ghana -his home country.
Itumeleng Ntsube
Ntsube was born on September 9th 1998, and became a member of parliament in 2019 when he was just 20 years old. He currently serves as a permanent delegate to the National Council of Provinces from the Free State.
Itumeleng contested parliamentary election under the umbrella of the African National Congress (ANC). He is equally the Congress of South African Students president.
Conclusion
The importance of young people joining politics and making waves cannot overestimate. As with business, their voice at the table ensures the needs of future generations are addressed and brings a new perspective to the table. Just watch out for and encourage them! If you feel I have missed out on a couple of other young, outstanding sons and daughters of Africa that positively impact the continent and the world, drop your comment and discuss.
