FFF is a regional movement of young people operational in Eastern and Southern Africa fully convinced that young people hold the destiny to a sustainable Africa. Just managing to squeeze a little time from her hectic schedule, we managed a brief discussion in which she enthusiastically told me all about FFF.
Charlton C. Tsodzo: Thanks Mattie for making the time to meet up with me finally, and as I had pointed out in our earlier conversation, as the Regional Youth Editor for the Millennium Campaign, I’m quite keen on finding out what young people are doing within Southern Africa in line with meeting the Millennium Development Goals. You project undoubtedly caught my attention, and maybe for starters, I’d want you to give me an overview of what FFF is all about.
Matilda Moyo: Well, Thanks. ‘FFF’ is an abbreviation for Fast Forwarding into the Future, a brainchild of young Africans working with Mwelekeo we NGO (MWENGO),a reflection and development centre for NGOs in Eastern and Southern Africa. Falling under MWENGO’s Research and Development Unit, FFF is an initiative by young Africans who are of the conviction that a brighter future for the continent is possible, and if they can dream it, they can achieve it.
CC: When was Triple ‘F’ founded and what led to its formation?
MM: Triple ‘F’ was founded in February 2003, and it was premised upon the realisation that Africa for a long time had always been a victim of circumstance, for example through slave trade, colonialism, neo-liberalisation among other issues. Combined with inadequate planning, Africans had since lost the capacity to determine their own destiny. Triple ‘F’ therefore came in as a measure to try and bring young African people to re-strategize on how best to reclaim the ability to determine their own future
CC: You continue to mention these ‘young people’ in Triple ‘F’ Mattie, who are these young people, and what inspires you guys?
MM: Well, Triple ‘F’ has brought together a team of youth between 20-35 years from civil society in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) of diverse backgrounds, talents and skills, to form a nucleus team known as the Core Group, whose challenge is to lead the process of strategy formulation with regards to the role of youth in the regional development agenda. We are definitely inspired by our common consensus that a better Africa is possible and if we can dream, we can certainly do it.
CC: What have you guys done to date?
MM: Oh (her eyes sparkle), we have researched and come up with Vision 2050 for Africa, basically a roadmap towards a poverty-free, conflict-free, educated, and healthy and globally linked sustainable Africa. It might do you good to know that the Vision was launched by non other than former South Africa president Nelson Mandela in September 2004 (chuckle). The launch was also attended by other heads of state like then Mozambique President Chissano, Sam Nujoma as well as Dr. Graca Machel, of international development celebrity.
CC: Wow, that sounds brilliant, and a quick perusal through the Vision proves it to be a document of substance, but isn’t 2050 too far to set developmental targets?
MM:I know it really seems too far, but what we have basically done is to use the Millennium Development Goals as our entry point, and taken it further beyond 2015 bearing in mind that the MDGs are not an end in themselves, but just a means to an end. We have also bought into other national development strategies within the region, for example Botswana 2016,Kenya 2027,Tutafika Africa from Tanzania, and Vision 2020 from Zimbabwe. That then explains the upper limit we have set for our vision.
CC: As a group of young people, how do you guys feel you should be involved in the MDGs process? In a sense I want to understand what you feel is the role of the youth in the MDGs.
MM: To be honest Charlton, I really feel that us as young people should in fact be at the heart and soul of the MDGs process. The Goals are meant for a better and sustainable future, moreso for Africa considering our myriad of development dilemmas. However, many young people on the continent are not upcoming to participate in development. Of course we might argue that we are not being given the space, but then what are we doing about it? Tell me why young people have to be poked all the time to realise that they should play a role in development issues, why can’t they figure it out on their own?
CC: But Mattie, that is one of our arguments, particularly in the Millennium Campaign, where we are saying no to tokenistic representation of young people in development circles…
MM: Fine, Charlton, but how many young people like yourself have actually come up to stand and take action. With us young people, unfortunately the Pareto Rule rules the roost, and I’m sorry to say that this is even an issue in Triple ‘F’.
CC: Okay Mattie, now you got to fill me in on what the Pareto Rule says, otherwise you have lost me!
MM: Oh sorry, loosely translated it basically says that in any institution, only 20% get to do real work while the other 80 lounge back to enjoy the benefits. So this is the main problem with young people, and we need to overcome this disability to be taken seriously in development circles. The same also goes even for your Millennium youth campaign
CC: I think you have raised a very sobering reality that us as youth leaders in development have to continuously check upon. However what do you consider being our strong points as young people in the MDGs Campaign?
MM: Well, we are young, energetic and flexible in terms of willingness to learn new things. Combine this passion and you have a total package.
CC: So you actually think young people could in fact be an important stakeholder in the MDGs Campaign?
MM: Of course Charlton, otherwise you and I wouldn’t have been wasting our time having this interview would we? We have it within ourselves, only if we could actually commit ourselves to doing it.
CC: Maybe to wind up Mattie, where do you feel Triple ‘F’ is going?
MM: As a movement, we are going to continue selling our vision for Africa through our various country hubs, embracing and uplifting various national development roadmaps into the future to ensure that Africa really becomes a better place to be in the Future. We are almost through with our portal that would be a platform for knowledge sharing and information exchange. And to answer your question before I get carried away, Triple ‘F’ is definitely Fast Forwarding into the Future (chuckle)!
CC: One last comment from you Mattie, do you feel that the MDGs are attainable in Eastern and Southern Africa?
MM: Quite frankly Charlton, I feel that the region could have done with a little bit more time in order to attain the MDGs. I feel the timescale is too narrow for such countries as in our region. However, with total commitments from national governments, NGOs, private sector and other stakeholders including young people, a lot of serious strides could be covered.
CC: Well thanks so much for your precious time Mattie, it was great having this chat with you.
MM: The pleasure was all mine, and I also do look forward to be working with you in the Millennium Campaign.
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