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“Women in diplomacy – Breaking the glass ceiling”

Lifestyle and Tech recently spoke with Buhle Hlatshwayo , Policy Advisor: African Union .

Here is a transcript of the interview where LnT stands for lifestyle and Tech and BH for Buhle Phiwe Hlatshwayo.

Buhle Phiwe Hlatshwayo

LnT: Take us through your journey as a professional and how you ended up in the field of Diplomacy?
BH: I wanted to be the voice of the voiceless, hence why my first degree was in journalism, I wanted the power to inform, educate, and foster a well-informed society. I wanted to play a key role in navigating the complexities of the world, and to deliver news that empowers and enlightens, and be the change that I want to see.
I started my career at City Press as a political journalist, and had the good fortune to be
mentored by journalism legends, such as Mathatha Tsedu, Lerato Mbele,Lesley Mofokeng, Songezo Zibi,
Nikiwe Bikitshwa to name a few. I then moved to the BBC as a Focus on Africa journalist in London UK where I was mentored by the legendary Peter Ocokwe and Peter Burdin. No man is an island, that’s why it’s important to pay it forward. The turning point into the diplomacy field was when I interviewed the late – Kofi Annan, who was a Ghanaian diplomat ,who served as the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations – the first black diplomat to ever hold that position – a visionary – that single interview inspired me to pursue a masters in international relations and eventually become a career diplomat.
I have always been led by altruism and purpose. People will search high and low for their
purpose, only to realize that the whole time it was just to be you, and to get really good at
knowing what that means. If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For
your passion will lead you right into your purpose.

LnT: You are a thought leader in public diplomacy and soft power, why is this type of diplomacy important especially in the digital era?

BH: Public diplomacy. is the ability to co-opt rather than coerce. It involves shaping the
preferences of others through appeal and attraction. Soft power is non-coercive, using culture, political values, and foreign policies to enact change. A perfect example of soft power in action is the creative and cultural industry (CCI’s).
Africa’s creative and cultural industry (CCI) has emerged as a growth industry and will play a critical role in the process of the continent’s renaissance.
At the African Union, we be believe The CCI industry has the power to boost intra-African
trade, and in return promote the emergence of national and regional value chains.
There are thirteen sub-sectors under the term ‘creative industries’ and these are: advertising;architecture; the art and antiques market; crafts; design; designer fashion; film and video;interactive leisure software; music; the performing arts; publishing; software and computer games; and television and radio.70% of the African population is employed by the these sectors, hence why harnessing them and also providing them with much needed funding and support is imperative.By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world’s youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa. Empowering the youth is empowering Africa.

LnT: You are a Chevening alumni, who holds a Master’s in International Studies &
Diplomacy from the University of London and a degree in Journalism from the
University of Johannesburg amongst your qualification, what advice can you give the girl child who wants to follow in your footsteps?

BH: Chevening is the prestigious UK government’s international scholarships and fellowships programme which changed my life. My UK masters degree was fully funded by Chevening. It also connects you to a global alumni network of leaders in distinctive fields who helped shaped my career in a tremendous way. I had the honour of being awarded the scholarship to study my masters at SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies University of London, what makes SOAS a unique and preferred institution for African leaders is that it is the only institution in Europe dedicated to the study of the languages, cultures and societies of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

LnT: Are you seeing young women in the continent wanting to follow similar career path in diplomacy and why?

BH: Not enough, because most are not aware that such a field even exists, nor do they see anyone in the diplomacy field that looks like them. You cannot become what you don’t see.
When I joined the African Union, I was the youngest South African female diplomat to work for the African Union in my grade, which is an incredible achievement, but it also made me realise the incredible gap, hence why ensuring that I open doors for young aspiring diplomats is paramount, representation for women in diplomacy is vital.
This is why I founded the Afrikan Diplomat Group, the purpose of this Group to provide a
platform and network for youth to connect with investors, and access opportunities in the
creative cultural industry. It’s essentially there to create a network of collaboration among
youth and leaders, and promote cultural diplomacy.

LnT: Are institutions of global governance accessible, if am young an have a desire to work for like UN, AU where do you start?

BH: Not accessible enough, hence why interviews like these are paramount.
Where do you start? complete a masters degree if possible, there a multitude of scholarships available for young aspiring African leaders, Chevening being one of them as mentioned previously. There is also Fullbright and Cannon Collins scholarships amongst others. The diplomatic fraternity has fellowships and internships which are offered annually, that’s a good place to start.

LnT: In 2030, young people in Africa are projected to make up 42% of global youth, and more than 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, from your experience how can the continent bring young people to the centre of development?

BH: Africa’s youth hold the key to its development potential; however, Africa’s education
programmes must be reimagined to nurture talent. Today, African youths are increasingly
taking an active role in shaping their future. Accra, Nairobi, Cairo and South Africa have fully fledged start up scenes are disrupting how we think about African agriculture, industry, IT and sustainability. Africa’s education programmes must be reimagined to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit that benefits society, to ensure that the continent brings young people to the centre of development.

LnT: We are often speaking about young people participation in the main stream economy,you have an experience working on the field of trade and cultural industry where do you think Africa Youth can immediately make an impact and participate meaningfully?

BH: We have African Union Youth Delegation and the Special Envoy on Youth which leads on youth affairs, to ensure that the inclusion of youth in the leadership structures of the African Union is central in decision making. This is where Africa Youth can immediately make an impact and participate meaningfully.
Nothing about us, without us. Engage youth, create a space for them and give them a seat at the table, Don’t just offer this seat passively, but empower young people to actually use it. Young people have potential and young people have collective power, with the guidance of their governments and institutions of global governance they can harness that power.

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