Friday, October 2, 2015

Mobilizing Youth, families and communities for Pan - African Empowerment - Baba Buntu

Baba Buntu

FROM OCTOBER - 17TH TO THE 19TH JOIN US AT THE Bavubuka Dynasty HQ, AS WE HOST AND CELEBRATE BROTHER Baba Buntu's IMPACT ON THE YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS OF THE CONTINENT!

Baba Buntu (Amani Olubanjo Buntu) is a consultant, lecturer, practitioner and writer focusing primarily on education, leadership training, social development and community empowerment. He is Founder and Executive Director of Ebukhosini Solutions, a community-based consultancy company in Johannesburg. He is also a founder of The R.I.S.E. Project (artist development), Afuraka (cultural community development) and SHABAKA – Men of Afrika (men’s programme).
Having background from Anguilla in the Eastern Caribbean, Baba Buntu grew up in Norway, where he after a course in Global Development Studies obtained a B.A. in Social Work and pursued a post-graduate course in Group Methodology. In 2000 Baba Buntu repatriated to South Africa and now lives in Johannesburg. He holds a Master Degree in Philosophy of Education from UNISA (the dissertation received a distinction and a Council Award for highest performing research paper) and is currently a Doctoral Candidate within the same discipline.
Baba Buntu has worked within the youth and community field, with special focus on preventative methods, for the past 25 years. He has inter- and trans-disciplinary experience working with questions related to leadership, organizational development, African history, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), philosophy of education, self-development and youth- and community empowerment. He has founded several projects and has been engaged as lecturer, consultant, coordinator, writer and advisor in many forums. He mentors young, emerging leaders and has designed train-the-trainer programs for young entrepreneurs. Baba Buntu also hosts a number of monthly community programs throughout Gauteng province.
Over the years Baba Buntu has had several international working engagements and has traveled extensively in Africa, the Caribbean and Europe. His international engagements have afforded him elaborate experience within the dynamics of international politics and cultural development. Buntu has carried out work on request by United Nations, UNESCO, NEPAD, The South African Department of Education / Department of Arts and Culture, City of Johannesburg, Kara Heritage Institute of Afrikology, Hope Worldwide/Olive Foundation, Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA), FK Norway (Peace Corps) and many more. With firm commitment to youth empowerment he has provided supervision for many community structures, such as Play for Peace, S. T. Leadership Development Initiatives and Siyaphambili Youth Pioneers.
With his involvement in projects focusing on international politics, cultural knowledge, work against xenophobia, prevention of violence, men’s programs and youth development, Baba Buntu has featured in South African media platforms; radio, TV and newspapers. His essays are included in academic journals and anthologies published in South Africa, Namibia, Eritrea, Nigeria and Norway. He has ongoing engagements as a writer, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, counselor, researcher and music producer in South Africa and internationally.
Baba Buntu also has a keen interest in reading, writing, graphic arts, photography and music. As a song writer and producer he has worked with over 90 young artists. In South Africa he has produced songs and music for the albums “Essence of Joy” by Andile Mseleku (awarded Best Newcomer at the South African Music Awards 2009) and “KenSoul” by Liz Ogumbo (2010).

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