From April 28 to May 2, 2025, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) hosted the first in-person session of the KAS School for Young Politicians (KASYP) third edition at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa campus. This transformative program brought together aspiring and practicing young political leaders from across the continent to strengthen democratic capacity, refine political skills, and foster cross-border dialogue among youth in politics. The event, themed "Building Democratic Capacity: One Person at a Time", reflects KAS’s commitment to nurturing young talent within Africa and fostering democracy. The participants—representatives from various countries, namely: Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. They engaged in an intensive week of workshops, lectures, practical exercises, and peer learning to sharpen their leadership, communication, and policy-making skills.
The program was led by Dr. Heather A. Thuynsma, a seasoned political strategist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria. Dr. Thuynsma summarised the program’s mission succinctly: “We’re not just training politicians. We’re cultivating credible, values-driven leaders who can transform their societies from within.” Her guidance, alongside experts like political analyst Jervin Naidoo, communications strategist Yanga Malotana, Artificial Intelligence expert Martin Swart and foreign policy expert Zaynab Hoosen, equipped participants with a unique blend of theoretical insights and practical tools. Participants immersed themselves in a rich and interactive curriculum that covered foundational topics in political communication, party strategy, policy development, and public engagement.
Highlights included:
- Strategic Communication Workshops: Sessions like “Say It Like a Leader” and “The 5-minute Pitch” taught participants how to craft persuasive narratives, manage media presence, and deliver impactful speeches.
- Policy in Practice: Discussions explored pressing challenges such as energy policy, economic reform, and foreign policy, helping attendees understand how to align their party platforms with national interests.
- Values-Based Leadership: Through sessions on party values and the social market economy, participants reflected on ideological foundations and the real-world implications of governance.
- Excursions and Peer Learning: Structured site visits, such as the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) where participants had the unique opportunity to engage with its CEO Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), where our delegation familiarised itself with the institution and its practical uses.
Survey results revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback. Many participants identified communication, public speaking, and political messaging as their key takeaways. Others noted significant growth in self-confidence, leadership clarity, and debate skills. One participant shared, “I’ve learned to manage my nervousness and feel more at ease when addressing a crowd, which has made me more effective in expressing my thoughts.” A recorded video interview is available here. While this April–May session marks the first phase of the 2025 KASYP program. Asynchronous virtual sessions will follow during the mid-year months (June–September), focusing on real-world political observation. The second in-person session will convene in September and explore topics like accountability, grassroots campaigning, and party financing.
About KASYP
The KAS School for Young Politicians is a flagship initiative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, dedicated to empowering Africa’s next generation of democratic leaders. Through a comprehensive curriculum, mentorship, and peer collaboration, KASYP aims to create a continent-wide network of politically engaged youth equipped to drive sustainable democratic development.
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