Latest Stories from Derrick
African Gen Zers to benefit from YouthConnekt summit
Last week, Rwanda hosted its annual YouthConnekt Africa summit. The continental initiative looks to empower young people by investing in their ideas, innovations, and initiatives. The YouthConnekt Africa summit was initiated by the Rwandese government in 2012 to focus on improving youth employment, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement through tech innovation. This year’s summit attracted thousands from over thirty African nations, private sectors, and non-governmental organisations such as the UNDP. This year's...
Understanding Africa’s Gen Z mental health problem
Gen Z are the most likely group to be affected by mental health problems in Africa. Africa’s failure to adequately respond to the surging mental health crisis is affecting more than 60% of the population. It is saddening that poor mental health is not considered a crisis in Africa, despite many young people suffering with depression and schizophrenia. Untreated conditions can negatively impact development, quality of life, and the ability to fully...
Togolese Gen Zer builds sports car from scrap waste
25-year-old Sourou-Edjareyo Malazouwe from Togo, with no background in mechanical engineering education or training, has made a 4x4 car using scrap waste materials from motorcycles and bus parts. According to recent World Bank data, Togolese is among the few African countries whose unemployment rate is still considered ‘low’ at 9.7%. Gen Zers have casual jobs and don’t earn enough to sustain their needs. In fact, young people make up a...
South African teenagers build solar-powered train
Amid South Africa’s power cuts, a group of students built the country’s first fully solar-powered train. The power outages have caused disruptions affecting poor and working-class commuters relying on trains. A group of 20 South African students from Soshanguve Technical School recently showcased a fully solar-powered train at a university event. The prototype, which has taken approximately two years to build, is set to redefine railway travel not only in...
Vanessa Nakate named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
25-year-old climate activist Vanessa Nakate was recently appointed as the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador. This recognition comes after a 3-year climate change campaign that saw her address world leaders both at COP25 and COP26 summits. Vanessa is a well-known East African climate activist from Kampala, Uganda. She was inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg’s school strikes that gained momentum globally and began her own climate campaign, protesting for months...
VeryNile builds plastic pyramid to highlight river pollution
Last weekend, to observe the World Cleanup Day, volunteers from Egypt built a pyramid made from plastic collected at the banks of River Nile to highlight environmental conservation. A group of volunteers in Egypt have taken part in a cleaning exercise along the River Nile to highlight how important protecting the environment and saving marine life is to combat climate change. Egypt is preparing to host this year’s COP27 event in...
How is the ongoing crisis in Burundi affecting Gen Z?
The ongoing political crisis in Burundi is weaking the country’s economy and negatively impacting the lives of young people. Child labour, trafficking, high illiteracy, early pregnancy, and teenage marriage are all major problems in an already unstable climate. Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The humanitarian and political crisis that continues to unfold has taken a toll on its people and deepened societal struggles. Landlocked in...
Understanding the gold mining problem in Eastern DRC
In Eastern DRC, thousands of children and families have been displaced by the resurgence of M23 rebels. Community clashes over gold has left some dead and hundreds of children currently work at gold mines. Since the beginning of this year, violence has steadily escalated in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has caused tension across the country. Different armed groups are specifically targeting gold mines. The ensuing...
Two Gen Z candidates win in Kenyan general election
In Kenya’s recent general elections, two Gen Zers aged 21 and 24 have been voted as Member of County Assembly and County Woman Representative respectively. They will represent issues affecting their constituents in both county and national assemblies. Many Gen Zers were involved in Kenya’s general election this year. Having a voice on political panels and influencing important decision making remains difficult for young people, especially in government. For years, young people...
Kenya introduces coding to school curriculum
Kenya is the first African country to introduce coding as a subject in both primary and secondary schools curricula. The new initiative focuses on redefining education through tech employment. Kenya plans to empower Gen Zers and future generation through tech-focused employment programs. East Africa’s economic powerhouse is already a spot for giant tech companies such as Visa, Microsoft, and Google who all have physical centres in Nairobi. Kenya’s young population...
