Photo: Mr Thabang Mkhize, Coordinator: Writing Centre, engaging on topics ranging from climate action, gender equality and education access.

Mr Thabang Mkhize, Coordinator: Writing Centre at the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT), represented CUT at the 5th African Youth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 14 - 18 August 2023. The summit was attended by delegates from over 15 African countries under the theme: “Attaining the SDGs through youth innovation and financing for inclusive development in Africa”. The summit provided a dynamic platform for young leaders, activists, and change-makers across Africa to converge, discuss, and strategise on attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). See CUT's sustainable development activities.

His participation showcased CUT's commitment to nurturing students and staff members to actively contribute towards creating a better world. “I am very grateful for the support received from CILT, The Student Academic Development and Support (SADS) Unit and the Department of Built Environment in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology. I pledge to disseminate all the lessons learnt from the summit with other young people at the university,” he said.

He further highlighted that participating at the summit also paved the way for potential collaborations and partnerships with other institutions and organisations across the African continent and also provided a networking platform that could result in fruitful initiatives and projects aligned with the SDGs at CUT and South Africa.

Photo: Participants at the 5th African Youth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit representing over 15 SADC countries.