It is not enough to tell learners that they are the leaders of tomorrow – they have to be equipped today for the task that awaits them tomorrow. Some 500 learners who are members of could become members of school governing bodies have already been trained this year through the HeyLead initiative of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS).

“If learners had a stronger voice many of the challenges faced by schools last year could have been handled better. The Schools’ Act requires that high school learners be represented on school governing bodies. This is done specifically to expose young leaders to responsible governance and leadership as early as possible,” explains Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of FEDSAS.

Deacon says learners’ input in terms of a school’s code of conduct enable them to take ownership. In this way it becomes a code that was developed collaboratively instead of a set of rules enforced from above.

The HeyLead programme consists of interactive sessions based in video clips, with two facilitators who are actively involved with the young leaders in groups. The well-known youth minister Manie Botha, Dr Johan Beukes of In Harmony and Deacon present the video sessions while the facilitators assist learners. The young leaders get the opportunity to discover their talents and learn how their unique contribution can make a huge difference.

Sessions in the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga were presented last weekend. On 11 February it is the turn of the Free State, Eastern Cape and North-West, followed by sessions in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo on 18 February. For more information visit www.heylead.co.za or watch the YouTube video “Hey Lead”.