EDITORIAL: Continue harnessing young talent

At the tender age of 22, Nancy Sibo has achieved what Mark Zuckerberg would surely be proud of. Zuckerberg, the co-founder of popular social networking site, Facebook, was as just 20 when Facebook became the talk of Harvard University in 2004. Any comparison of Sibo with Zuckerberg might sound a tad too much, but the Rwandan young geek’s star is bright enough to give the country a pause and reflection. What can this country do for Sibo beyond supporting her to harness the dreams that have seen her named one of 60 young people from across the Commonwealth to be recognised as exceptional leaders in their community by Her Majesty the Queen of England next year? For an app she developed called Mobile Cow that helps farmers to monitor the estrous cycle of their cows, Sibo was named the first ever Miss Geek in 2004. Then, through her Miheha Bag initiative, she has given vulnerable women the hook to make an income for themselves by using recycled drinking straws to create products such as handbags, earrings and belts. The country is elated and proud to have its daughter receive the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award that celebrates the achievements of young people who are taking the lead to transform the lives of others and make a lasting difference in their communities. But the question is so what? First, the challenge is upon the Ministry of Youth and ICT to ensure that Sibo’s dreams continue to flourish. She is already hoisting the tri-colour green, blue and gold beyond the national borders, but how high she will raise that flag will depend on how much support she can be accorded. Are there more worthwhile projects and programmes the young geek can bring up that will impact the lives of communities? How can she make them come to life? What kind of help will she need? Concerned authorities need to ask all these questions and keep Sibo and others like her and indeed their projects on their fingertips. There should be many Sibos out there with bristling ideas that need to be given the fertile soil and warmth to grow. This might not just be in the ICT sector. The country needs stronger and more open systems of allowing innate persons platforms to express themselves and get noticed.

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EDITORIAL: Continue harnessing young talent