In the heart of Durban, South Africa, where the 7th Pan African Youth Forum convened alongside the prestigious ATUPA Conference, one voice stood out with clarity, vision, and purpose—that of Mr. Shadrack K. Tonui, Principal of Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College, National Secretary General of the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI), and an Executive Board Member of the African Technical and Vocational Education and Training Association (ATUPA).
This year’s forum, hosted by the University of South Africa (UNISA), carried the theme: “Innovate, Lead and Thrive: Empowering Africa’s Youth for Sustainable Development and Digital Transformation.” It was against this backdrop that Mr. Tonui joined ATUPA Secretary General Dr. Jahou Samba Faal in delivering an inspiring charge to the youth of Africa. His message was both profound and practical: Africa’s prosperity rests in the hands of her skilled youth.
Mr. Tonui emphasized that while technical skills remain vital in positioning the continent for industrial revolution 4.0, it is the fusion of these capabilities with soft skills—communication, leadership, adaptability, and critical thinking—that will truly prepare young Africans for impactful careers. He urged graduates not to wait passively for opportunity, but to actively deploy their knowledge and creativity in solving the continent’s most pressing challenges.
The forum itself attracted youth leaders and innovators from across ATUPA’s 19 member states, which include The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. A highlight of the event was the youth competition, in which Zimbabwe emerged as champions, Kenya proudly secured second place, and the host nation took third position.
For Mr. Tonui, this was not merely a ceremonial presence but a fulfillment of his larger calling: to advocate for technical education as the bridge between Africa’s untapped potential and its destined prosperity. Through his leadership at KATTI and ATUPA, he continues to push for cross-border collaborations that strengthen Africa’s human capital, align education with industry needs, and secure the continent’s rightful place in the global knowledge economy.
As Africa embraces the winds of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, leaders like Mr. Tonui are ensuring that the continent’s youth are not left behind but are instead equipped to lead the transformation. His visionary contribution to youth empowerment underscores a simple yet powerful truth: when Africa invests in her young people, she invests in her future.
Indeed, the 7th Pan African Youth Forum will be remembered not just for its deliberations, but for the unwavering call to action by leaders like Shadrack K. Tonui—a dedicated educator, reformer, and advocate for Africa’s next generation.