I have always wanted to change people’s lives and be a voice for the voiceless. That passion inspired me to start helping students with career guidance and university applications because I understood how difficult it was to navigate that journey alone.
This initiative aligned closely with the education pillar of the UNICEF campus club, which is why joining UNICEF felt like the right next step for me. I started as the Treasurer of the UNICEF Mangosuthu University of Technology Campus Club, where I quickly learned that bringing change into township communities was not always easy — especially around the healthy lifestyle pillar. Fast food is deeply embedded in both our university and community culture, making it difficult to challenge unhealthy food environments.
Through UNICEF, in collaboration with Bite Back, I gained valuable skills in storytelling, collaboration, and handling interviews. These experiences helped build my confidence and professional capacity, which later contributed to me securing an HR internship at Transnet National Ports Authority.
One of the biggest lessons I learned through UNICEF was the power of collaboration. Working on projects with students from different backgrounds helped shape my personal and leadership journey. I used to be very shy, but after leading the “Move Where You Are” physical activity initiative at Durban University of Technology Riston Campus for the commemoration of World Obesity Day, I became more confident in expressing myself publicly.
That confidence inspired me to write a “Fix My Food” song, which I performed at the Mangosuthu University of Technology Indigenous Food Market Day and during National Nutrition Week at University of the Witwatersrand. The song was also featured during the official global launch of Fix My Food. For me, that moment represented growth — not only as an advocate, but as a young leader finding my voice.
The biggest transformation came when I became a Fix My Food advocate. The workshops and capacity-building programs completely changed the way I viewed my food environment. Before, I would walk past shelves without questioning what was available. Now, I critically examine food systems, speak up about injustice, and turn ideas into meaningful action.
Advocacy gave me more than knowledge — it gave me confidence and purpose.
Today, I carry those skills into my professional work. My ability to speak up, collaborate and engage with communities comes directly from my experience as a volunteer and an advocate. Fix My Food taught me that young people can change systems when they are given the space, support, and opportunity to lead.
To other young people, my message is simple: start where you are. You do not need a title to make a difference. Volunteer, join a movement, and allow your story to become part of the change.
I am deeply grateful to UNICEF and Fix My Food SA for creating that space for me. These experiences did not just influence my path they gave me a new one.
Insight by Tiisetso Mokoena, Volunteer Clubs Coordinator
Osborn Nhlumayo’s reflection is a compelling example of how volunteering helps young people build leadership, employability and purpose. Through his journey with UNICEF Campus Clubs and the Fix My Food movement, he developed confidence, advocacy skills and practical experience that strengthened both his community impact and professional growth.
His story reflects UNICEF’s/Gen U’s Youth4Children vision and the Learning, Volunteering to Earning pathway by showing how youth participation can nurture leaders who advocate for child rights, challenge inequality and create lasting change in their communities.
