Zuko Gqadavama named Deputy CEO of Inkululeko

Molweni Friends,

Leadership begins with the questions we ask. In June of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Inkululeko’s then Academic and Business Enterprise Coordinator, Zuko Gqadavama, reflected on how the greatest challenges can be opportunities for progress.  

“In a way, this challenge caused us to reflect holistically. We asked, how does this situation require us to keep an eye on the prize? Is the mission of the organization being realized daily? Are the programs meeting the mission?”

More than three years later, post-pandemic, Zuko reflects on Inkululeko’s progress.

“Here we are. Still standing. This speaks to the resiliency of the organization and to the shared vision of all the stakeholders; those who are working and volunteering on the ground in Makhanda, and those who are working and volunteering in the United States and elsewhere. This has been a true team effort.”

Having held numerous positions in the organization over the last five years, beginning with work in the classroom, Zuko has a clear understanding of the skillsets and commitments needed for Inkululeko’s resiliency to flourish. He understands that forward movement means keeping the work and the team focused on the mission. With this leadership mindset, Zuko begins a new chapter as Deputy CEO of Inkululeko.

“Zuko is incredibly smart. He is extremely effective, but more than that, his interactions with others are rooted in empathy, kindness, and humility,” notes CEO and Founder Jason Torreano.     

As Zuko begins the transition to his new role, the lessons highlighted from the pandemic are still present. He emphasizes that the organization’s resiliency to Covid began in the educational programs that support its learners. To ensure learners maintained their access to the educational programs, team members learned to maneuver, pivot, and leverage resources around the realities of illness, lockdowns, and economic uncertainties.   

“The programs are the backbone of the organization,” Zuko explains, “without a strong program offering, we cannot create a sustainable future.”

As Deputy CEO, Zuko is looking to the organization’s future, and again, is asking questions.

“How do we build a feasible plan of action, like the famous five-year plan,” he asks, “and how do we position ourselves for the political discourses that are taking place?”

In the short term, Zuko aims to continue strengthening Inkululeko’s educational programs for the learners. This means ensuring that the team on the ground has the appropriate resources it needs to remain focused on the organization’s mission. It also means expanding the organization’s visibility within the NGO space and participating in key conversations that will shape the future of NGO contributions to South Africa. For Zuko, the short term will have a direct impact on Inkululeko’s sustainability and future.

“While South Africa’s current societal and political discourses do not affect us now, in the long term, they will. We need to prepare, so that in the 5 years’ time, we won’t be operating in silos or in fear because of clashes within societies stakeholders.”
 
The organization’s focus on its mission and on its preparedness are part of a strategic aim to expand the organization’s educational programs to other areas within South Africa.

“I really hope we can be in the position to extend our services to other parts of the country, especially rural areas where our services are highly needed.”

Zuko elaborates that young learners in rural areas are challenged by the lack of opportunity. He explains that in rural parts of the country, there are no universities at the end of High Street or flourishing businesses on the outskirts of town to inspire a young person to reach for transformational change. Expanding Inkululeko to these areas would offer young learners this opportunity.

“If the vision is being realized, even if it is slowly, or we don’t get the numbers we want, or we don’t implement a program as fully as we want, but if we are two or three steps toward where we want to be, then progress is being made,” Zuko says.

“Is the mission of the organization being realized daily?”. This question comes from Inkululeko’s past; it is a question for today and one for the future. It is a question Zuko Gqadavama is ready to ask.  

Nkosi Friends!