Something about sitting in the precense of Zephaniah Love just gives you the sense that there is hope for the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having applied for the JCC without his parent\u2019s knowledge, his appointment came with a real proud moment for parents Janine and Denver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is about helping people and really being there for people. Being that voice and advocating for change,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpark 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\u2019re in the process of registering the organisation,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zephaniah recently did a site visit through Ward 82 with Councillor Washiela Harris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of the things that stood out for me during my site visits was the passion people have for their communities, despite their circumstances,\u201d says Zephaniah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He affectionately refers to his mother as a big inspiration in his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy 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,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n