Empowering Leadership: A Mentee-Mentor Success Story Through Ubuntu and Kuumba

Prepared by:

1. Lwazi Mavuso, DAC- SWSDSC Chairperson (2025 – 2027), Masters Student, UKZN, mavusolwazi850@gmail.com
2. Weston Chidyausiku, Social work lecturer Eswatini Medical Christian University, westonchidyausiku@gmail.com

I. Introduction

The Day of the African Child (DAC) Social Work & Social Development Student Conference (SWSDSC) serves as a vital platform for young leaders across Africa to engage in critical policy and practice discussions focused on advancing child rights. Rooted in the African philosophies of Ubuntu—which emphasizes collective humanity and interconnectedness—and Kuumba—which celebrates creativity and innovation—this conference nurtures leadership that is both ethically grounded and forward-thinking. Kuumba (mentoring) means transferring knowledge and skills to muumbwi (mentee), usually younger than the muumbi (mentor) in a manner that is appropriate and acceptable to a cultural, natural or artificial setting (ASWNet, 2021).  This article highlights the transformative journey of Lwazi Mavuso a social work graduate from Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU), who was elected Chairperson of the DAC-SWSDSC for 2025–2027. Under the mentorship of Mr. Weston Chidyausiku, an experienced social work lecturer and researcher, the mentee developed the strategic skills necessary to lead a continent-wide student movement advocating for responsive budgeting and child rights.

II. From Confusion to Confidence: The Mentee’s Journey

Leadership, particularly in the complex field of social work and child rights advocacy, often presents a steep learning curve for emerging professionals. The mentee, though passionate and academically prepared, initially grappled with self-doubt and uncertainty upon election as Chairperson. His inexperience in high-level leadership roles made it challenging to confidently engage policymakers, mobilize student participation across diverse universities, and navigate the political landscape of child rights financing. Despite these challenges, the mentee’s academic grounding in responsive budgeting—bolstered by exposure to community-led initiatives and research—fueled his determination. The mentorship relationship became a critical catalyst, transforming his confusion into clarity and equipping him with the tools to lead effectively. This journey underscores the importance of mentorship in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical leadership.                                             

III. Mentorship and Growth: The Power of Kuumba

The mentor, a seasoned social work lecturer with over a decade of experience in child protection and academic leadership, embraced the philosophy of Kuumba—enhancing growth and professional development—as a guiding principle in mentoring. Through structured coaching sessions, the mentor helped the mentee develop strategic communication skills essential for engaging diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, students, and partners. The mentorship emphasized participatory leadership inspired by Ubuntu, fostering a leadership style grounded in empathy, inclusivity, and collective responsibility. Innovative approaches were encouraged, enabling the mentee to design effective strategies for mobilizing student participation and advocating for child-inclusive budgeting. This mentorship not only enhanced the mentee’s confidence and critical thinking but also cultivated advocacy skills necessary for navigating the complex intersections of policy, practice, and social justice.

IV. Strategic Partnerships and Mobilization

Recognizing that impactful advocacy requires collaboration, the mentee and mentor engaged in strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. Meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office in Eswatini secured vital political endorsement, aligning the conference with national priorities. UNICEF’s role as a key partner provided technical expertise and reinforced the focus on child rights financing. Media engagement was also prioritized to amplify advocacy efforts, ensuring broader public awareness and support. The mentor and mentee’s participation in the Children’s Month Launch at the United Nations Offices further strengthened ties with policymakers and international partners, enhancing the conference’s visibility and influence. These strategic partnerships exemplify the multi-sectoral collaboration necessary for advancing child rights and responsive budgeting across Africa.

V. Mobilizing Support: Students and Faculty Engagement

Mobilizing a diverse student body across African universities posed significant challenges, including resource constraints and varying levels of awareness about child rights budgeting. Drawing on the spirit of Ubuntu, the mentee fostered a collaborative environment that encouraged collective action. Engagement with students from Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU) and the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) resulted in a robust call for abstracts, ensuring academic rigor and diversity in conference presentations. The mentee also successfully advocated for financial support from EMCU’s management, enabling wider student participation. These efforts not only facilitated a vibrant and inclusive conference but also promoted research and advocacy aligned with responsive budgeting principles, underscoring the critical role of academic institutions in nurturing future leaders.

VI. A Successful Conference: Reflections and Outcomes

On June 16, 2025, the DAC-SWSDSC Conference convened a dynamic assembly of students, policymakers, and social work practitioners. The conference featured in-depth discussions on responsive budgeting for child rights exemplifies effective child-focused budget tracking. Sessions also explored the integration of Ubuntu in child rights budgeting and policy implementation, highlighting how collective responsibility can enhance policy outcomes. The importance of child participation in budgeting processes was emphasized, reinforcing the need for inclusive and transparent governance.

Reflecting on the experience, the mentee shared, “The mentorship experience was truly transformative for my leadership journey,” the mentee reflected. Chairing this conference has been a valuable learning curve that has significantly boosted my confidence. I am grateful for the guidance and support I received from my mentor. This experience has reinforced my belief that mentorship is a powerful tool for young leaders’ transformation, enabling us to grow, learn, and thrive in our roles.” The mentor added, “Kuumba means innovating beyond traditional teaching—mentorship shapes Africa’s next advocates.”

VII. Conclusion

This mentee-mentor partnership exemplifies how African philosophies of Ubuntu and Kuumba can foster transformative leadership in child rights advocacy. By combining ethical governance with creative problem-solving, this model strengthens social work education and advocacy across the continent. To build on this success, future initiatives should expand mentorship programs for emerging leaders, enhance research on child-inclusive budgeting, and strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships to maximize policy impact. Investing in such leadership development ensures that child rights move beyond policy documents into lived realities—fulfilling the true legacy of the Day of the African Child Social Work & Social Development Student Conference.