Something about sitting in the precense of Zephaniah Love just gives you the sense that there is hope for the next generation.
A Grade 10 learner at the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology, the Highlands Village local has recently been named as part of the 2024 Junior City Council (JCC).
Having applied for the JCC without his parent’s knowledge, his appointment came with a real proud moment for parents Janine and Denver.
Zephaniah explains that his mother first contacted former Mitchells Plain-based JCC member Alessio Marcus who shared more about his journey, but was not something he had much interest in at that time.
But last year, when speaking to 2023 member Zoe Abrahams who attends his school, he took a closer look at the difference he could make by joining the organisation.
“It is about helping people and really being there for people. Being that voice and advocating for change,” he says.
While only 16 years old, Zephaniah has aspirations to make a real difference in the lives of others, in the process of registering his own non-profit organisation, called the Spark Foundation.
“Spark foundation is an NPO dedicated to uplifting and empowering communities where we aim to implement various issues in the community to address socio-economic challenges and promote sustainable development. We’re in the process of registering the organisation,” he says.
On the ground experience
Zephaniah recently did a site visit through Ward 82 with Councillor Washiela Harris.
Janine had been seeing the on-the-ground work done by Harris and encouraged him to shadow her to see what struggles and triumphs other communities face.
“It was about seeing what it is like out there, outside of areas like (Highlands Village) where there is always a plate of food on the table,” says Harris.
“One of the things that stood out for me during my site visits was the passion people have for their communities, despite their circumstances,” says Zephaniah.
He affectionately refers to his mother as a big inspiration in his life.
While the election for various leadership roles will be held in June, Zephaniah says this tenure will be about making a lasting change for him and his time serving as a junior councillor.
“My JCC leadership project will be Spark Foundation, but I do not only want to limit it to this year. I want to continue with the foundation. For the pilot we will focus on Mitchells Plain, but eventually, I want to expand,” he says.
Advocating change
He does not have aspirations to pursue a career in politics of government. Rather, he believes everyone can bring change in whatever career paths they choose.
“The careers that have caught my interest is data science and anthropology.”
For Janine, her greatest joy is seeing her son flourish and living in good morals.
“He was very introverted growing up, but it was like a lightbulb moment when he started high school. He started becoming involved in so many things,” she says. “I feel strongly about him seeing the good and the bad, and wanted him to know there are people out there who are less fortunate than he is. I want him to bring the change.”
Growing up in Eastridge, she says it has become a full-circle moment.
“I was not aware that in my adult days I would want to come back, because when you grow up in areas like that you just want to get out. It is all about making a better life for yourself. But, our heart as a family is always going back to those areas. Whether it is little initiatives, we allow it to happen,” she says.
“We cannot change everyone, but we can change one person’s life at a time. If he changes one life, I am happy. The greatest reward for us as parents is if he turns out to be a great and kind person, that he makes a change. I want for him to remain on the ground and remain humble in the process. He is born to make the change.”
Harris says she was inspired from the moment she met Zephaniah.
“If parents do not motivate, encourage and support, where will our youth be?”
For Zephaniah, he encourages everyone to keep moving forward.
“Your comeback should be stronger than your setback. No only means next opportunity. You should keep striving, having that resilience, getting up every day to do better and that one no could open multiple yeses, when one door closes, multiple windows open,” he says.
“Go for gold. Aim for the stars and don’t let your circumstances determine who you are going to be or where you are on your way to being.”
