2012 Graduates

Saritta Naido

Saritta joined Project Ignition and graduated as part of the first group in 2012. Her ability to connect with everyone and her general enthusiasm stood out. She engaged in all processes with a desire to know more about herself and to figure out what it means to be a leader in South Africa.
Amongst her peers, she was acknowledged for her wisdom and intellect, as well as her artistic abilities. At the end of the project she indicated that it was a good platform to learn how to influence others.

Sinathemba

Sinathemba graduated from Project Ignition in 2012. At the time he was in grade 10. Not only did he embrace the ethic and principles of Project Ignition, he brought himself full on into the programme. His peers experienced him as a loud, funny and creative person with a larger than life appetite for life and for food.
Although he had a funny, social side to him he was extremely well read on a wide range of topics and could debate and discuss deep issue from the personal to the political with a flair that was astounding. His character was and still is one that can brighten a room.

Chanel HanS

Chanel graduated in 2012 from Project Ignition. She has a very calm disposition and although she appears quiet - has a very strong presence. She was experienced by her peers as a very peaceful and humble person amongst the chaos of all the other personalities. One of her most outstanding qualities was her giving, sweet and friendly disposition.
She was also considered to be extremely approachable. A major element of Chanel that stood out is her sense of style which is her own unique expression on life.

Katendi Kamuhuza

Katendi joined Project Ignition because she generally enjoys leadership and youth programs. It is what she is passionate about. Her vibrancy, joy for life - but also intense engagement in the process of learning about herself supported others and created a safe space for her peers to be themselves. She felt that Project Ignition taught her about her intuitive true-self, her unknown mysterious ‘bigger’ being and what you one truly become. Project Ignition for her helps young people get in touch with their spiritual part as well as their logical part. Like other participants she learnt a great deal from the participants and "feel more in touch with myself, my surroundings and how I am going to be an entrepreneur!".

Ighshaan Manuel

Igshaan graduated from Project Ignition in the year 2012. Ighshaan was someone that had a deep understanding and appreciation for where he comes from. He was able to see this, acknowledge and also use it to identify what he wants in life.
His bubbly and funny character added lightness to any situation. He taught us a great deal about how to be free and always laugh.
He is a cool, easy and ‘chilled’ person who cemented all of us together.

Ziyadah Shabodien

Ziyadah is as well a graduate of Project Ignition-2012. As an accomplished ice skater - she was known as the skating queen. Yet, what stood out about Ziyadah was her opinionated and strong leadership as well as her talent for organization and planning.
She has a beautiful smile and her spirit is very humble whilst her sense of drive that touched all those in the group. In addition, her ability to relate to everyone whilst still keep her uniqueness visible is one of her greatest assets.

Mbali Nongalaza

Mbali joined Project Ignition because she felt that she needed to acquire skills and lessons outside the comfort of school. Project Ignition for her was a programme that not only would offer her experience and skills needed for her current circumstances and future career, but she forsaw that it would somehow assist me to shift hercurrent views of herself and those around her. Mbali's commitment to her own growth and learning ensured that she gained the most out of the programme - she 'showed' up in every way for every part of the programme and ultimately was a positive influence to her peers. Through the programme she became more relaxed and comfortable in her own skin.

Zubair Thompson

Zubair is a graduate of Project Ignition of the year 2012. Zubair is someone that is a deeply intense person that is able to be himself no matter what. His own sense of self meant that he was never swayed or driven to do what everyone else did. His charisma and calm went a long way in creating a space where his fellow ignitees felt comfortable and safe.
He is a good listener and at no stage did anyone feel judged by him. On the other hand, his humble nature and kindness made him an important part of the group. He soothed everyone’s loud nature and personalities - yet he has an approachable and friendly demeanor.

Candice Southgate

Candice graduated from Project Ignition in the year 2012. She has the most beautiful and life changing smile that can be felt by all.
She lifts the room up with her humour and charm and then gently puts it down with her intelligence and wisedom. She was known to be a ‘powerful, opinionated leader’. In the case of Candice dynamite certainly comes in small packages. She has a strong mind and has a general knowledge that is quite extensive.
She is both creative and has an energy that everyone draws on and feeds on.

Abduraghmaan Davids

Abduraghmaan was in Matric in 2012 when he finished the programme. He came to the programme to ignite and motivate himself and to learn to take pride in the things he does. Aside from being known among everyone as the tallest person in the group - his creativity in thinking and artistic was celebrated by his peers. His ability to communicate with everyone and to express himself, his thoughts was acknowledged. As he stated: "I learnt communication skills, I gained self confidence in myself and - also seeing that I have the potential to aspire to anything- I set my mind to gain a sense of leadership. Project Ignition changes lives and the way we live in the world."

Papamani Tory

As a grade 11 learner in 2012, Papamani also finished the Project Ignition programme in 2012 with aplomb. She came bursting through our door ready to show us why she should be a leader. Her hunger and confidence that she was meant to be part of the programme was certainly evident in how she participated in the programme. She not only engaged wholeheartedly and tackled every task with determination to conquer - but she challenged herself to move beyond limiting perceptions of herself.
Her depth, her commitment and her laughter is what stands out for us as we look back on her participation and contribution to the space.

Raees Nohaba

Raees joined Project Ignition to broaden his knowledge about himself and to improve his leadership skills. He was committed to increase his confidence and to learn more about communicating his ideas effectively to people. One of the qualities of Raees that stood out was his determination to transform what needed to be in order to become the person he aspired to be. His passion to make a positive impact in his community inspired his peers and he was already leaving a legacy amongst those he interacted with. He peers would listen when he spoke because they knew that there was a depth of thinking that went into it. On the other hand, he surprised all with his juggling skills and his ability to go beyond the boundaries he may have set for himself.

Choolie Sityata

Choolie joined Project Ignition because she had a desire to grow and learn how to handle different obstacles of life and finally push herself to be the best she can be. She is bubbly, easy to talk to, and simply laughs all the time - and of course was our resident fashion-loving freak. Aside from her obvious leadership abilities - the ability to express herself in any situation without fear, and to ask questions when she is in doubt, she is also a very nurturing person. Her personality was such that her peers always gravitated around her as her energy and her enthusiasm for life is simply infectious. In Project Ignition she learnt about making use of every opportunity and to take charge of her life.

Ziyaad George

Ziyaad graduated from Project Ignition in 2012. He joined a little reluctantly due to the fact that he had not attended a youth leadership program before. Yet, his depth and unique character added an important element to the group dynamic of the 2012 graduates. Although he appears extremely quiet, he is someone that if engaged on a topic he is passionate on really brings it. He is comfortable in his own company as well as in a larger group. Being part of Project Ignition for him taught him how take more control over things in his life and helped to develop a better understanding of the world he lives in as a young person.

Leigh Ann Faro

Leigh Ann is another 2012 graduate who grew in leaps and bounds. For her, Project ignition was a space to develop herself and to engage with different people. Although she may appear to be a quiet person, once you engage Leigh Ann you will realise she has a killer intellect and is definitely a leader and not a follower. She is someone that no matter what 'shows up' and brings everything to the process. Her peers certainly engaged from her quiet leadership, her compassion and her deep sense of self. As she states: "I was a very soft and internal type of person. Through project ignition I am now more clear of what and how I want, I am certain of how I want things to be in my life. I have grown in such a way that even if failure hits me I am able to get back up and complete a certain goal that I set for myself."

Zandile Booi

Zandile joined Project Ignition with the intention to step out of her comfort zone. She is an intensely motivated young woman who was prepared to do everything possible to use the platform provided by Project Ignition to grow. She is highly driven and stepped into leadership easily thus ensuring that any task undertaken by the team was successfully executed. Her peers were challenged by her, but also inspired by her commitment to be the best she can be. As she notes: "I enjoyed myself and gained so much knowledge and insight through this opportunity. Every teenager should be afforded the opportunity I experienced."