Mamiki Masilo

In grade 10, Mamiki was given a challenge at school to get involved with a community project for Mandela Day. Like many people around South Africa, she set about trying to find a way to ‘donate’ her 67 minutes to a good cause. Little did she know that this would be the turning point in her life, setting her on a path towards community activism. 

She discovered the AfriKa Tikkun Centre in downtown Johannesburg when she approached the children's hospital next door to donate her time. After volunteering in the library, and working with the child and youth development beneficiaries, she joined as a beneficiary herself at the age of 16. 

“I wouldn’t be who I am today if I wasn't given those opportunities. That’s where my love for community began. The manager at the time was very passionate about youth development. I learned all about advocacy, development and community.“

Interested in current affairs and the development of communities,  she chose a course in public management and governance at the University, furthering her education with a master's degree in monitoring and evaluation. 

At the same time, she joined the ActionAid Young Urban Women programme. The support groups operate through the Afrika Tikkun Center, and this is where Mamiki was introduced to them. It was the perfect place for her to further her networks and get involved with advocacy around the country. 

Through a twice-monthly meeting with over 150 participants, they discuss sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), decent work, GBV and economic development, focusing on empowering the individuals and running campaigns as a group.

Mamiki has now taken on a leadership role at YUW, looking for opportunities for young people to learn. 

“I care because I exist within this environment. I care because the people I engage with are also facing the same troubles that I am facing. I care because if we aren't going to try we are going to be despondent. You can't change the world but the little you do can impact one person and a few people.”

In recent years ActionAid has shifted its focus towards economic development and the importance of developing an understanding of economics for young people so they focus on austerity and how it affects people daily. Low-income workers often don’t get a chance to understand austerity so they run workshops that teach about tax justice, public budgets and the tools needed for more effective advocacy.”

“We suffer the greatest as young people and we suffer from the mistakes of the elders. We suffer from the promises that they made and it's in our hands to craft our future. I know how it is to be unemployed and to worry about whether you will be able to support your family.”

It’s through her family that Mamiki came to care so much about the people around her and develop a deep-rooted passion for community and empowerment. 

“My dad was a person who cared so much about education and current affairs. He used to preach the importance of developing community. I feel like any work I had done that didn't pertain to community development would have made me miserable.” 

“Knowing that the next person has gained something. I think that is the basis of human happiness. I don't think it comes from your selfish desires. I think seeing the next person gain something brings the ultimate happiness.”