Event Report: KASYP 2023 - Term 1 - Regional Programme Political Dialogue Sub-Saharan Africa
Workshop
Details
On the 20th of March 2023, KAS PolDiSSA launched the Konrad Adenauer School of Young Politicians (KASYP) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The KASYP programme aims to motivate and qualify young political professionals up to the age of 35 in furthering their political engagement. The training takes place over the period of a year in hybrid format and brings together selected young politicians from Sub-Saharan Africa.
From the 19th to the 25th of March 2023, Young politicians from Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania met for the first time at the Future Africa University of Pretoria Campus, in South Africa. Dr. Stefan Friedrich (Head of Department for Sub-Saharan Africa) joining in person, shared some remarks at the inaugural meeting. This was followed by a speech from Dr. Wolfgang Stefinger (member of the Bundestag) and subsequent engagement between KASYP scholars and the delegation of German Members of parliament visiting South Africa.
Throughout the week, scholars learned and exchanged on diverse range of issues that are critical to the making of a good politician. Issues ranging from the essence of political parties (origin, reason being and purpose), to various ways of thinking and the importance of value in politics. The KASYP Scholar also had the opportunity to engage with Amy Ashworth (Former Managing Director of French-South Africa Chamber of Commerce), Yanga Malotana (Political Commentator and Communications Strategist) and Prof Robert Mattes (Founder of Afrobarometer), with the latter delivering a lecture on Data Analysis.
Dr. Heather A Thuynsma, an experienced practitioner in various fields ranging from managing fundraising. Policy analysis and media relations and lecturer at the University of Pretoria spearheaded the training of KASYP scholars. The Young politicians also took the opportunity to visit Freedom Park and the Union Building. The Scholars will reconvene in August for the conclusion of their training, but will continue their training online until then.
