CAPE TOWN – A teenager from Lavender Hill, Aqeel Parsons, hopes to inspire a community of future leaders, despite the hardships they face.

Aqeel (17), who is one of five siblings, says his life has been shaped by the “vibrant, yet challenging”, environment of Lavender Hill, a community known for its resilience in the face of adversity.

He is currently spearheading a fundraising campaign aimed at assisting disadvantaged families within the southern suburbs with food, clothing and toiletries this winter.

Aqeel currently lives with his uncle and previously attended Hillview Primary School.

He is also a member of the Earthchild Project (EP).

EP is a non-profit organisation (NPO) operating in under-resourced schools in Lavender Hill and Khayelitsha.

Founded in 2007, it offers holistic complementary education, focusing on yoga, mindfulness and organic gardening.

Personal journey

Aqeel says he is passionate about his education and enjoys reading books in his spare time.
Outside of school, he also enjoys singing and dancing.

“I believe in continually learning and growing, and I enjoy activities that help me express myself and build confidence.

“Growing up in Lavender Hill has shaped who I am and has motivated me to work hard towards creating opportunities for myself and others,” he said.

His journey with EP blossomed from the time he first joined in Grade 1 through the organisation’s Living Class programme.

“Here we learned yoga and organic gardening. I have been part of Earthchild Project for approximately eight years now. EP has played a significant role in my personal development. It has helped me build confidence, develop leadership skills, and find my voice,” he added.

Since then, he has developed into one of the young mentors at EP’s Young Leaders programme and hopes to inspire the next generation.

“Growing up in Lavender Hill, I have seen many challenges in my community, including gangsterism, drug addiction, and teenage pregnancy. These realities can be difficult to witness, but they have motivated me to become part of the solution. EP has given me the tools and support to lead by example and help create positive change for young people around me,” he said.

Winter campaign

The Young Leaders programme assists its members with enhancing their leadership skills, values, community engagement, and personal growth.

His short and long-term goal are to help address some of the challenges faced by families in his community by supporting access to essentials such as food, clothing, and toiletries.

“Alongside my work as a young leader, I am also part of the Gen A Changemakers initiative. Together, we wanted to do something practical to help families in our community who are facing difficult circumstances this winter. I have seen how many families struggle with food
insecurity and other basic needs. Through a Gen A Changemakers Winter Fundraiser, we hope to support families identified through local schools and community networks, as well as organisations that care for vulnerable children,” he said.

He also serves on the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) at his school.

“In this role, I help represent the voices of learners and advocate for issues that matter to them. It is a responsibility that allows me to contribute positively to my school community and support fellow learners,” he said.

Aspirations

One of my greatest goals is to study at Stellenbosch University and pursue a career in the culinary industry.

“I aspire to become a head chef on a cruise ship, which would allow me to travel the world, experience different cultures, and create exceptional dishes for people from many different backgrounds. I am excited by the idea of exploring new places, challenging myself, and building a successful future through hard work and dedication. I want to prove that young people from communities like Lavender Hill can achieve great things when they are given opportunities and believe in themselves,” he said.

Those looking to assist the Gen A Changemakers Winter Fundraiser can visit their fundraiser page.

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